The preferred option for many UAE residents is to rent an apartment or villa. One of the first things a new citizen does when they arrive in the UAE is hunt for a place to live, which for many means renting a house. But how many of us are genuinely educated about the laws and regulations governing tenancy in Dubai?
If you’re planning to rent a property in Dubai, here are ten things to keep in mind:
Is your rent set to rise? Three months before to the event, you should have been informed.
Is your contract coming to an end? If this is the case, your landlord is required by law to give you 90 days’ notice of any rent increases. The ‘Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating Relations between the Landlord and Tenant in the Emirate of Dubai,’ often known as the Dubai Rent Law, states as much in Articles 6 and 14.
The increase in rent must not surpass a certain threshold.
Even if your landlord wishes to raise the rent, he or she cannot go above the limit set by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The rate of increase is decided by how low your rent is in contrast to the neighborhood’s average rent. According to DLD, this is the maximum increase a landlord can make.
Because you haven’t paid your rent, your landlord can’t switch off your electricity or water.
If you don’t pay your rent, you could face serious consequences, including eviction. It is, however, illegal for your landlord to turn off your apartment’s electricity and water. This is specifically stated in Dubai rent legislation, and if the landlord violates the law, the tenant has the right to file a “petition order” with the Rental Dispute Centre, requesting that the utility service be restored. After receiving a petition order, a court will rule within 24 hours.
Eviction notices must be served 12 months in advance in these cases.
A landlord is obligated by law to issue a 12-month notice for these two types of evictions: eviction due to restoration or comprehensive repair and eviction due to destruction.
You could be evicted if you sublet without permission.
In some instances, the Dubai Rent Law permits a landlord to legally evict a tenant. These are examples of when a tenant does not pay rent within 30 days after receiving a warning, when a renter uses the property for any illegal purposes or for a purpose that violates public order or morals, or when a tenant sublets the property without the landlord’s permission.
Are you planning to relocate? You can research at the average rental prices in the area.
If you’re moving into an apartment or villa and want to make sure the bargain you got was fair, you may check previous rents charged for the same property on a new portal called DXBinteract.com, which provides data on property transactions from the Dubai Land Department.
Your EJARI agreement is not the same as your tenancy agreement.
The tenancy contract is simply your signed agreement with your landlord, while EJARI is registering this agreement with the Dubai Land Department. You’ll need the following information to register with EJARI: the name of the rental firm or the landlord’s contact information, such as a copy of his or her passport, and the terms of the agreement. The registration fee is also the tenant’s responsibility.
Do you have a dispute with your landlord? Complain to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in writing.
If there is a conflict between the tenant and the landlord, you can file a formal complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC), which oversees all rent-related issues in the Emirate. The case is handled by RDSC by a mutually agreeable solution that takes 15 days.
You’ve been requested to provide ‘key money.’ Don’t give it to them.
Your real estate agent may want a security deposit when you’re about to sign a lease for a new property to demonstrate your seriousness as a buyer. “Key money” is another name for this. This practice, however, is not governed by legislation. As a result, it is illegal to demand key money from landlords, developers, or brokers.
Don’t forget to consult a Property Consultant before Renting.
The most important rule before renting any property is to consult a real estate expert. An agent will help you have a proper guide to rent a unit. From document preparation and communicating with the landlord, they all what you need.
Silver Oak Properties is ready to help you find your next home anywhere in Dubai. Contact us today.
Article Source: PropertyNews AE
