It is impressive that the demand for property leasing in Dubai never goes down. Whether it is a skyline view apartment or luxury villas in a peaceful neighborhood, the city has something to accommodate everyone. Nevertheless, this flourishing rental market is not without its problems. Rental disputes are among the most prevalent problems of tenants and landlords.
As a new tenant or an experienced landlord, it is important to be aware of the various forms of rental disputes in Dubai and their resolution in order to ensure that the rental process works smoothly. This general guide will look at the most frequent forms of rental disputes, their causes, and how to avoid or address them based on the laws and real estate regulations of Dubai.
The Reason Why Rental Disputes Occur in Dubai
The reasons of the occurrence of rental disputes may be numerous: late rent payment, maintenance disagreement, misunderstanding of the lease agreement, or even privacy violation. In some cases it is the ambiguity of the contract and in other cases it is miscommunication. Whichever the reason, the positive side is that most of the disagreements can be prevented or solved peacefully as long as both sides are aware of their rights and duties.
Now, we should take a closer look at the most typical kinds of rental issues in Dubai and the ways to deal with each of them.
1. Delay of Rent or Non-Payment
It is probably the most common and economically painful conflict that landlords may encounter. It arises when tenants do not pay rent in time or in other instances, they cease paying rent.
The reasons why it occurs
Tenants can have financial problems, lose their jobs, or even find themselves in personal emergencies. In other cases, they can even refuse to pay rent when they feel the landlord is not meeting his or her responsibilities such as maintenance.
Solution
Landlords ought to spell out payment details, payment dates, and late payment penalties in the lease document. In case a tenant defaults on a payment, communication is essential. A reminder, a formal notice, mediation or legal action through the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC) might be required. Even when they are worried about the property, tenants are not supposed to cease paying rent without seeking the advice of a lawyer.
2. Rent Increase Arguments
The rental market in Dubai is controlled in such a way that the tenant is not vulnerable to the sudden or unjustified increase of rent. The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) has a calculator on rent where one can know whether the increase can be legal depending on the prevailing market.
Why it occurs
Landlords can try to raise the rent above the limit or inadequate notice.
Remedy
Rent increases should be done in accordance to the RERA and should be announced at least 90 days prior to renewal of leasing. Tenants are able to verify the validity of an increase by using the RERA Rental Index Calculator and appeal unreasonable increases by using the RDC.
3. Maintenance and Repair of Property
Conflicts commonly occur when tenants believe that landlords are not taking care of the property and address the problem, and landlords may claim that tenants did not report the problems and damaged the property.
Reasons it occurs
The lease agreement can be vague in terms of who is to do what thus causing confusion and delays.
Remedy
Duties must be spelt out in the lease. In most cases, landlords are responsible to provide structural and substantial utilities maintenance whereas tenants are in charge of minor repairs. Any problem must be recorded in written form with schedules. Failure to which, tenants are at liberty to complain at the RDC.
4. Security Deposit Claims
Security deposit refunds are a very frequent source of disagreement at the end of the tenancy.
Why it occurs
Tenants demand their money back, and landlords can claim against damage, unpaid rent, or cleaning. But disagreements occur when deductions seem to be not reasonable.
Remedy
To prevent this, landlords ought to take thorough move-in and move-out inspections in the form of photos or videos. An inspection checklist should be signed by both parties. Deductions should be reasonable and in accordance to what is stated in the lease. Otherwise, tenants may bring up the dispute to the RDC.
5. Misrepresentation of Property Condition
There are tenants who have gone into houses only to discover that the unit is not in the condition that was promised whether in terms of faulty appliances, structural problems or misleading photos in advertisements.
Why it occurs
This can occur because of lack of pre-lease inspections or verbal agreements which are not recorded.
Remedy
Before signing the lease, the two parties are supposed to carry out a thorough inspection on the property. All the AC units, plumbing, and furniture should be inspected. The rental contract should clearly state the details in order to prevent future confusion.
6. Violation of Access and Privacy
The landlords are not allowed to intrude into the house of a tenant without prior notice. Similarly, tenants are not supposed to abuse common areas or to undertake alterations without authorization.
Why it occurs
Landlords might desire to inspect the property to do maintenance or view the property in the future as a rental. When visits are frequent or unannounced, the tenants might feel that their privacy is being infringed.
Solution
Both sides are to agree on reasonable notice periods of inspections. According to the Dubai law, the landlords cannot enter the property unless they are given prior notice and within reasonable hours. This should be covered in the lease.
6. Subletting Unauthorized
Subletting can only be done when the lease expressly permits the same. Subletting without permission may result in legal charges or eviction.
The reason it occurs
Tenants can attempt to neutralize the expenses by subletting the rental or letting it out temporarily without realizing that it is against the lease.
Solution
Tenants are required to seek written permission of the landlord before letting any other person move into the unit. Landlords on their part are supposed to incorporate the subletting policy in the lease to prevent surprises.
7. Violations in the Community and Tenant Misconduct
Tenants are required to obey the rules of the community and respect the neighbors. The complaints or eviction notices can be caused by disruptive behavior, loud noise, or illegal activities.
The reason it occurs
There are tenants who will neglect rules or do not know community standards.
Solution
Community rules must be disseminated during the commencement of the lease. This must be recorded and legal measures may be brought in case of infringement.
8. Non-consensual Property Alterations
There are tenants who alter things such as painting of walls or installation of new fittings without the consultation of the landlord.
What causes it
Tenants might not be aware that even small modifications have to be granted.
Remedy
The landlord should write agreement to all property changes. What is and is not permitted should be checked in the lease by the tenants.
9. Eviction Disputes
The landlords are entitled to evict the tenants on legal grounds, which include non-payment, personal occupation or misuse of property, or breach of the lease agreement-this should be through legal means.
The reasons it occurs
There are landlords who have no legal reasons to issue the eviction notice and do not follow the required notice period.
Solution
Tenants are supposed to be aware of their rights. The Dubai law states that the landlords must give 12 months written notice either by notary public or registered mail, in case of selling the property or moving into the property. In case the eviction does not seem to be fair to tenants, they may dispute it in the RDC.
10. Conflicts of Lease Termination
Terminations of a lease prior to expiration or ambiguous notice provisions may cause litigation.
Why it occurs
Tenants can simply move out without giving a notice or landlords can refuse to end the lease early.
Solution
Notice periods, early exit penalty and renewal terms should be specified in lease contracts. In case either of the sides is interested in early termination, it must be written. Advice by a lawyer can be useful in case of dispute.
The Way to Solve Rental Dispute in Dubai
Regardless of the reason behind a conflict, Dubai provides a number of ways of settling an issue in a civil and legal way:
Direct Communication
A lot of minor conflicts could be resolved with the help of constructive and respectful communication between the tenant and the landlord. Misunderstandings can be eliminated by a mere phone call or exchange of mails.
Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC)
The RDC is a government-supported business that works under the authority of Dubai Land Department and provides mediation and arbitration services. It is the first resort to official complaint and offers legally binding results.
Lawyer
In cases where the dispute is complicated or has grown, you can hire a rental dispute lawyer in Dubai who would defend your rights and make sure that appropriate legal steps are undertaken.
Final Thoughts
It is not only about the payment and property; it is about trust, fairness, and cooperation, which makes a good landlord-tenant relationship. Keeping abreast and dealing with issues promptly, both the parties can have an easy positive experience of renting a property in one of the most vibrant real estate markets of the world. Roots Heritage is here to help you. Being a tenant or a landlord, contact us to get easy, professional assistance and easy-breezy rental process. Roots Heritage will take you through. Are you a tenant or a landlord? Contact us and get easy, professional assistance and a trouble-free rental process.
