If the husband and wife are not Muslim and have the wills registered in Dubai, then the procedure is more straightforward. Sarah Dea / The National
UAE Property: 'How to transfer property ownership after wife's death'

If the will is registered at the DIFC, the probate process is much faster and should be completed within a few days

July 25, 2024, 4:00 AM
Abu Dhabi skyline. Filing a case at the Abu Dhabi rental dispute centre will cost 3.5 per cent of the rental amount. Bloomberg
‘I rented a pest-infested unit and my landlord won't refund my deposit'

A tenant pays rent to a landlord for what is legally known as 'quiet enjoyment' of a property and this clause is not being fulfilled

July 18, 2024, 4:00 AM
It is prohibited to evict a tenant with the intention of subsequently leasing the property to another tenant. Antonie Robertson / The National
UAE Property: ‘Can my new landlord use the eviction notice from the previous landlord?’

New landlords can use the eviction notice served by the original landlord if they intend to move in

July 11, 2024, 4:00 AM
If a landlord re-lets a property after evicting the existing tenant, they can file a case at the Rental Dispute Committee and seek compensation. Bloomberg
UAE Property: ‘My landlord wants to increase rent by 40% or evict me’

A landlord cannot evict a tenant to then re-let the property to someone else within two years

July 04, 2024, 4:00 AM
The rental market in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is buoyant. istockphoto.com
UAE Property: ‘Should I inform my landlord that I won't renew my lease?’

A tenant does not have to give notice because the contract has a start and end date

June 27, 2024, 4:00 AM
A view of Dubai Marina. Under the law, no landlord is allowed to evict the tenant in order to re-let the property to someone else. Bloomberg
UAE Property: 'Landlord wants to raise rent by more than index limit'

If the index states that a 10% increase in rent is permitted, that is the figure that should be agreed upon unless the tenant is happy to pay more

June 20, 2024, 4:00 AM
Your landlord has the right to request an increase in rent, if necessary, based on the current market index. This adjustment will be reflected in your next lease renewal. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UAE Property: ‘Can my landlord use updated DLD rent index to increase my rent?’

The index is a barometer of values, taking into consideration average rental amounts to give an indication of what similar units are valued for tenanted properties

June 13, 2024, 4:00 AM
The landlord has to give a tenant 12 months’ notice to vacate and the notice has to be sent through a notary public or registered mail. Getty Images
UAE Property: ‘Can my landlord give a 90-day notice to vacate?'

The 90-day notice is applicable only for any changes to the rental contract at renewal, such as rent or payment method

June 06, 2024, 4:00 AM
A landlord can apply for a rental valuation letter from the Dubai Land Department and it will cost about Dh3,000. Leslie Pableo for The National
UAE Property: ‘I can’t find a buyer as my tenant is paying low rent’

The landlord wants to get a rental valuation done to charge a higher rent

May 30, 2024, 4:00 AM
Dubai has allowed construction to go round the clock to support businesses. However, companies may have to apply for a special permit before starting work at night. Pawan Singh / The National
UAE Property: ‘Who can I complain to about construction noise at night?'

If the noise is higher than permitted levels, you can complain through the Dubai Municipality app

May 23, 2024, 4:00 AM
If there is no communication from the landlord on the renewal of tenancy contract, it renews automatically under the same terms and conditions as before. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
UAE Property: ‘Does an old villa attract same rent as a new one?’

A landlord has the right to raise the rent at renewal but by a maximum of 20 per cent in any one year

May 16, 2024, 4:00 AM
The law states that the most any landlord can increase the rent by in any year is 20 per cent. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UAE Property: 'Can a landlord raise the rent by any amount?’

The actual increase is determined by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency rental calculator

May 09, 2024, 4:00 AM
The typical agency commission should be 5 per cent of the rent plus VAT, while some companies charge a minimum fee of Dh5,000 plus VAT if the rent is less than Dh100,000. Reem Mohammed / The National
UAE Property: ‘Can the broker keep my deposit if I didn’t sign the lease?’

The tenant changed his mind about leasing after the agent quoted inflated charges

May 02, 2024, 4:00 AM
The tenant is willing to pay a rent according to the Real Estate Regulatory Agency’s rent calculator. Alamy
UAE Property: 'How much rent should a tenant pay for two months?'

If no agreement can be made, one of the parties must file a case at the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee

April 25, 2024, 4:00 AM
The maximum rental increase permitted in any one year cannot be more than 20 per cent. AFP
UAE Property: ‘Does the Rera rent index apply to furnished apartments?’

The landlord is asking for a rise despite the calculator not permitting it

April 18, 2024, 5:00 AM