I rent an apartment in a low-rise building in Abu Dhabi. I moved there in October 2018 because of its proximity to my workplace. All went well for the first year of the lease, besides the noisy children next door who were also allowed to play in the common corridor.
When that family moved out, I was hugely relieved but my relief was short-lived because things were about to get much worse.
In place of this family, there is now a couple with a large, fluffy cat (I know because the husband paid us a visit and brought it along). Early on during the stay-at-home restrictions, he also invited us home for a party. We politely declined, given that social gatherings were not allowed.
It didn’t stop him though. Night after night, he played loud music from 1am to 7am, and there was loud shouting in a booming voice in the room next to where I am trying to sleep. I have called the watchmen on him several times and the police twice.
The management is also aware because I lodged an official complaint along with recordings of the racket. If he was sent a warning letter, he has chosen to ignore it.
My current lease will end in October and I will not be renewing it. But there is a little way to slog through until then, so what can be done in the meantime? SL, Abu Dhabi
The problem with noise, especially from neighbours, is unfortunately not uncommon. It would seem to me that you have already done the right things in order to stop the unnecessary disruption to your life through the lack of sleep. Having a party is normal, however, it would appear that this is an all-too-common occurrence from this neighbour, so I would suggest the following:
There are building and community regulations that cover noise and how they can be enforced. As you have already informed the building management, I would suggest you keep going in this direction as they have a duty of care to their residents within the building.
As the neighbour appears to be approachable, I suggest you speak to him man-to-man. Everyone is entitled to quiet enjoyment of the rented property but sometimes others spoil this, which is why I would suggest you speak to him directly.
Everyone is entitled to quiet enjoyment of the rented property
The other option is to speak to the Abu Dhabi Municipality. They have dealt with noisy situations in the past and I’m sure they would be interested to follow up on your behalf.
Although you have already reported the neighbour to the police, this needs to be done again. I’m sure that with all these complaints and a visit from yourself, the watchmen, the building management, police and the Abu Dhabi Municipality, this neighbour must realise he’s a nuisance.
The last point to consider would be to let the management company know who his landlord is. Perhaps the landlord needs to be informed of the tenant’s behaviour because there could be clauses in the lease that he might be breaking by being such a disturbance.
Mario Volpi is the sales and leasing manager at Engel & Volkers. He has worked in the property sector for more than 35 years in London and Dubai.
The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario.volpi@engelvoelkers.com
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
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