Q: I tried to rent a car with a debit card and was told I needed to use a credit card for the security deposit. But I have used a debit card in countries other than the UAE. Are there legal reasons for this rule here?
A: There is no particular legal reason for the rental car company to take credit card details as security. Rental companies prefer to take credit card details as an added security measure to cover any losses in the event of a loss or dispute over rental prices. However, you do not have to provide a credit card.
Q: I am tired of Etisalat's constant bombardment, I make sure never to take their calls. They have now taken to ringing me up from other numbers and, more worryingly, send text messages saying I must send them my email address, ostensibly "to start receiving my monthly bill and important updates". Since I receive my bill by email anyway, I wonder if this is a way to start spamming my inbox with marketing emails. Is there anything they can do if I continue to ignore them?
A: You must report this to Etisalat and request them to stop sending you text messages along with phone calls. You are not legally obliged to provide your email address to them. Therefore there is no legal responsibility if you continue to ignore their phone calls or text messages – as long as you continue to pay your bills on time.
Q: A friend has rented out a house in Sharjah for a year with his family, but he needs to move closer to his work in Abu Dhabi. I am looking to rent a property in Sharjah, can I move in to his house and pay my friend rent, or do I have to establish a new tenancy agreement with the landlord? Also, can the landlord then put the rent up by issuing me with a new contract?
A: You have two options: a) to become a subtenant upon seeking permission from the landlord and existing tenant or b) to issue a new lease contract after replacing the previous tenant. At the time of issuing a new contract, the landlord has a right to ask for a higher rent as per the UAE laws.
If you have a question for our lawyer, email newsdesk@thenational.ae with the subject line ‘Consumer Q&A’.