I'm on a one-year contract paid by four postdated cheques in Abu Dhabi, expiring October 31. However I've left the country to take up new employment in Oman. I've given more than four months notice of my intention to leave the property on June 30, for which postdated cheque number three has been paid. The landlord says he will only release me from the contract if another tenant is found to take over from July 1, if not they will attempt to cash the cheque, which of course will be from a closed bank account as Central Bank regulations stipulate I can't keep it (which the landlord knows). Thus I run the risk of a bounced cheque/bad debt when I want to travel back to the UAE from Oman. I am trying to work with them to organise a clean handover but if they fail to find a tenant (this company is not proactive and have to be chased on everything) do I have any rights here having given so much notice? The contract is a pretty standard one saying it can be broken but only with landlord's consent. SA, Oman
You clearly have done all you can to facilitate the breaking of the contract especially giving the amount of notice that you have. You do however have to abide by the contract and unfortunately it states that the landlord has to give his consent. The key to this would appear to be reletting the property and if the present agent is less than efficient in this department, it might be worth the landlord using another agent.
I would suggest you continue to negotiate with the landlord to attempt to get him to see reason. On the face of it, the situation seems unfair that the landlord is not prepared to release you from the contract but it is also not his concern that you have changed jobs, yet alone country of residence. Do not panic though, a tenant will be found, as long as the landlord is not asking an unrealistic rent.
I have been in the same apartment for two years and my landlord has informed me he wants to sell. He has been very open about his need to give 12 months' notice (which he has not done). He has only received firm offers from parties wishing to buy and move in themselves. He has asked if I am willing to move out at the end of the tenancy contract in July. It is my intention to ask for financial compensation if I am to indeed move out at the end of the contract, but am concerned about the legality of doing so. Would it be possible to formalise the agreement for financial compensation in lieu of 12 months' notice in the eyes of the law? And if so, what would the procedure be? As I have not received any notification, I understand the law is on my side if I wish to stay in the property. However, if an agreeable level of compensation was offered, I would accept – but only if to do so was not in breach of the law. MW, Dubai
The law is clear about what the landlord has to do to request your departure from the property you are currently living in and you have understood this, too, by pointing out that he actually has not served you the proper 12 months’ notice yet.
If however you are considering leaving at the end of your agreement, and therefore vacating before any 12 months’ notice period, this is perfectly legal if you and your landlord come to a mutual agreement with financial compensation for you. Formulating a written agreement, signed by both parties is all that is required, that and the financial compensation of course.
I signed a tenancy agreement in January and the landlord is already planning to give me 12-months notice. Is that legal? Is there any rule when a landlord can send the notice? Or can he give the notice only when the contract is expiring or on the signing of the contract? MM, Dubai
A landlord can give you 12 months’ notice to vacate at any time. The reason for eviction is limited to certain situations only. The main reasons a landlord would require your eviction is if he wishes to sell the property or move into it himself or his immediate next of kin. The notification has to be sent in one of two ways only: via notary public or via registered mail. Do not forget that the notification has to state the reason for eviction.
Your tenancy expires in January but you will have to organise a pro rata extension to take into consideration the months from January to the anniversary date of your 12-month notification.
Mario Volpi is the managing director of Prestige Real Estate in Dubai (prestigedubai.com). He has 30 years of property industry experience in the emirate and London. Send any questions to mario@prestigedubai.com
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The years Ramadan fell in May
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE
Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
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The five pillars of Islam
Scoreline
Australia 2-1 Thailand
Australia: Juric 69', Leckie 86'
Thailand: Pokklaw 82'
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More on animal trafficking
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Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
THE SPECS
BMW X7 xDrive 50i
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Power: 462hp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh600,000
