1. RERA Regulations Overview
Real Estate Regulatory Authority guidelines and compliance
Key UAE Property Laws
Property management in the UAE is governed by several key laws and regulations. Understanding these is essential for legal compliance:
Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007
Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants
- Defines rights and obligations of landlords and tenants
- Establishes Rent Disputes Settlement Centre
- Governs rent increases and contract terms
- Sets eviction grounds and procedures
- Amended by Law No. 33 of 2008
Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006
Land Registration Law
- Establishes Dubai Land Department
- Regulates property ownership and registration
- Defines freehold and leasehold areas
- Governs title deed issuance
- Sets property transfer procedures
Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013
RERA Rental Index
- Establishes rental index calculator
- Caps permitted rent increases
- Provides market rate benchmarks
- Updated annually by RERA
- Mandatory for all rent adjustments
Abu Dhabi Law No. 20 of 2006
Tenancy Relations Law
- Governs rental relationships in Abu Dhabi
- Establishes tenant and landlord rights
- Regulates rent caps and increases
- Sets notice period requirements
- Tawtheeq registration mandatory
Regulatory Bodies
Key government authorities overseeing property matters:
RERA
Real Estate Regulatory Authority
RDC
Rental Dispute Center
Ejari
Contract Registration System
DLD
Dubai Land Department
ADM
Abu Dhabi Municipality
Tawtheeq
Abu Dhabi Contract System
Landlord and Tenant Rights
Both parties have legally protected rights under UAE law:
- Receive rent on agreed dates
- Claim damages for property harm
- Evict for legal grounds with notice
- Increase rent per RERA index
- Access property for inspection (with notice)
- Terminate for non-payment (30 days)
- Recover property at lease end
- Retain deposit for legitimate damages
- Quiet enjoyment of the property
- 90-day notice for rent increases
- 12-month notice for owner eviction
- Habitable property conditions
- Landlord-paid major repairs
- Deposit refund within 30 days
- Lease renewal (unless legal grounds)
- Challenge disputes at RDC
Property laws are periodically updated. Subscribe to DLD and RERA newsletters for the latest regulatory changes. The Legal Department will circulate any significant updates affecting operations.
2. Rental Dispute Procedures
Process for handling rental disputes through official channels
Rental Dispute Center (RDC)
The RDC is the official judicial body for resolving landlord-tenant disputes in Dubai. It operates under Dubai Land Department and provides specialized courts for rental matters.
When to File a Case
Consider filing a case with RDC when:
- Tenant has not paid rent for 30+ days despite notices
- Tenant refuses to vacate after lease expiry with valid notice
- Tenant has caused significant property damage
- Tenant has sublet without permission
- Landlord refuses to return security deposit
- Landlord refuses to perform essential repairs
- Dispute over rent increase amount
- Unauthorized property use or illegal activities
Dispute Resolution Process
RDC Fees (Dubai)
ADRSC Fees (Abu Dhabi)
ADRSC operates under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Cases can be filed online via the ADJD portal. Initial hearings typically scheduled within 2-3 weeks - faster than Dubai RDC in most cases.
Required Documents for Filing
- Original tenancy contract (Ejari for Dubai / Tawtheeq for Abu Dhabi)
- Ejari certificate (Dubai) or Tawtheeq certificate (Abu Dhabi)
- Copy of title deed (landlord cases)
- Emirates ID of claimant
- Passport copy of claimant
- Power of Attorney (if representative filing)
- Evidence of claim (bounced cheques, notices, photos)
- Previous correspondence with other party
- Bank statements (for payment disputes)
Case Timeline
Most rental disputes are resolved at the mediation stage. Come prepared with all documentation and a clear understanding of your minimum acceptable outcome. A quick settlement saves time and legal costs for both parties.
3. Eviction Process Guide
Legal grounds and procedures for tenant eviction
Legal Grounds for Eviction
Under UAE law, landlords may only evict tenants for specific reasons. The required notice period depends on the eviction ground:
- Non-payment of rent (30 days to pay) 30 days
- Subletting without permission 30 days
- Using property for illegal purposes Immediate
- Causing significant damage 30 days
- Property is unsafe (government order) Immediate
- Breach of contract terms 30 days to cure
- Changing property use without consent 30 days
- Refusing access for repairs 30 days
- Commercial premises closure Per contract
- Owner wishes to occupy personally 12 months
- First-degree relative occupation 12 months
- Owner has no other suitable property 12 months
- Must not re-let for 2 years after Condition
- Demolition (government approved) 12 months
- Major renovation required 12 months
- Sale of property 12 months
- Building declared unsafe Immediate
Eviction Notice Requirements
Valid eviction notices must meet these criteria:
- Served via notary public (mandatory for legal validity)
- States the legal ground for eviction clearly
- Provides the required notice period (12 months for owner use)
- Includes property details and tenant name
- Dated and signed by landlord or authorized representative
- References relevant law articles
- Delivered to tenant's registered address
- Proof of delivery retained
Eviction Process Timeline
Landlords must NEVER attempt self-help eviction. Changing locks, cutting utilities, harassment, or forcible removal is illegal and can result in criminal charges and compensation claims. All evictions must go through RDC.
⚠️ Penalties for Illegal Eviction
Post-Eviction for Owner Use
If evicting for personal use, landlords must comply with these restrictions:
| Restriction | Period | Consequence of Breach |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot re-let the property | 2 years | Tenant can claim compensation |
| Must actually occupy the property | Immediately | Eviction may be invalidated |
| Cannot sell to a buyer who re-lets | 2 years | Compensation liability |
4. Documentation Requirements
Record keeping and compliance documentation
Essential Documents
Maintain proper documentation for all properties under management:
Title Deed
Property ownership proof
PermanentTenancy Contracts
All current and past leases
7 YearsEjari Certificates
Registration confirmations
7 YearsTenant ID Copies
Emirates ID, passport, visa
7 YearsPayment Records
Rent receipts, bank statements
7 YearsInspection Reports
Move-in/out checklists
7 YearsNotice Records
All formal notices sent
7 YearsMaintenance Records
Work orders and invoices
5 YearsFinancial Reports
Owner statements, VAT
5 YearsRetention Requirements
UAE law mandates minimum document retention periods:
| Document Type | Retention Period | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy Contracts | 7 years after expiry | Commercial Law / RDC requirements |
| Financial Records | 5 years minimum | UAE Commercial Companies Law |
| VAT Records | 5 years | Federal Tax Authority |
| Employment Records | 2 years after termination | UAE Labour Law |
| Legal Correspondence | 7 years | Best practice / Litigation |
| Insurance Policies | Policy term + 3 years | Claims limitation period |
Compliance Checklist
- All properties have valid Ejari/Tawtheeq registration
- Trade license is current and covers all activities
- Professional indemnity insurance is active
- All POAs from owners are valid and not expired
- Staff RERA broker cards are current (if applicable)
- VAT registration is current and returns filed
- Anti-money laundering declarations completed
- Data protection measures in place
- Document retention procedures followed
- Emergency procedures documented
Data Protection
Handle personal data in compliance with UAE data protection requirements:
- Collect only necessary personal information
- Secure storage of physical documents (locked cabinets)
- Password protection for electronic records
- Limited access on need-to-know basis
- Secure disposal of documents after retention period
- No sharing of tenant data without consent
- Encrypted transmission of sensitive documents
- Regular backup of electronic records
Original title deeds and POAs should be stored in a fireproof safe or bank safety deposit box. Never send original documents by mail or courier - use certified copies instead.
📞 Legal & Compliance Contacts
Proper documentation and legal compliance protects the company, property owners, and tenants. When in doubt about any legal matter, consult the Legal Department before taking action. Prevention is always better than litigation.