Your Rights as a Tenant According to Dubai Tenancy Law

As a tenant in Dubai, it is crucial to be aware of your rights under the law. The Dubai tenancy law is designed to protect both landlords and tenants and to ensure that everyone understands their rights and responsibilities.

What Are Tenancy Rights?

A tenancy is a legal relationship between a landlord and tenant. The tenant has the right to occupy and use the property leased to them by the landlord, while the landlord has the right to receive rent payments and have the property returned to them in good condition at the end of the tenancy.

Each party's rights in a tenancy should be included in the tenancy agreement. This agreement can be in the form of a written contract or an oral agreement. The tenancy agreement sets out the terms and conditions of the tenancy, including the length of the tenancy, the amount of rent, and the responsibilities of each party.

The rights of tenants vary depending on the type of tenancy they have. 

What Is Dubai Tenancy Law?

Dubai tenancy law is the law that governs the relationship between landlords and tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. The law stipulates the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants and sets out the procedures for resolving disputes between them. It also applies to all types of properties, including residential and commercial properties.

The tenancy agreement must specify the following:

• The term of the tenancy
• DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) premise number
• The rent amount and how it will be paid
• The amount of the security deposit
• The landlord's and tenant's contact details, rights, and obligations

What Do You Need to Get a Tenancy Contract?

• A copy of your passport
• A residence visa copy
• The Emirates ID copy
• A security deposit check (the amount is usually five percent of the annual rental amount for unfurnished properties or ten percent for furnished properties)
• An Agency fee cheque (usually five percent of the annual rental amount)

What Are the Tenant's Rights in Dubai?

Here are some of the essential highlights from the document:

The Landlord's Rights

• The landlord should provide the tenant with a property in good, livable condition, as specified in the contract. In cases wherein the tenant agrees to lease an unfinished property and complete it himself, the liability for the completion costs should be specified in Article 15.
• The contractor is responsible for maintaining and repairing the property during the contract period unless the two parties agree otherwise.
• The landlord should not make any changes or renovations to the property that would interfere with the tenant's full use of the property. However, the landlord can proceed with the refurbishment if the tenant agrees to it, according to Article 17.

The Tenant's Rights

• The tenant should get the landlord's permission before making any changes or renovations to the property. If required, the tenant should also get the necessary licenses from officials for any changes made.
• The security deposit is a refundable amount of money the tenant pays the landlord when renting the property. Suppose the landlord refuses to return the security deposit, in part or full, because of deductions for damage to the property. In that case, the tenant can go to the RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) rent dispute committee to resolve the issue.
• The tenant must return the property to the landlord in the same condition as when the tenant signed the contract. The landlord will exempt the tenant from paying for minor damages beyond the tenant's control. However, as specified in Article 21, should there be any disagreement between the landlord and the tenant about the property's condition, the dispute committee can help resolve the matter.
• The tenant is responsible for paying all charges and taxes for the use of the property and other fees or taxes should there be any sub-lease unless agreed otherwise in the tenancy contract.
• As stated in Article 23, once vacating and returning the possession of the property to the landlord, the tenant should not remove any leasehold improvements they made to the property.

Conclusion

Knowing a tenant's rights in Dubai is essential, as you can avoid legal issues. By understanding what you, as a tenant, are and are not allowed to do, you can create an explicit lease agreement that outlines your landlord's and your responsibilities. Additionally, if a dispute occurs, you will be better equipped to deal with it legally.

Whether you are looking for an apartment for rent in Business Bay or anywhere in Dubai, we can help ensure you get a quality and protected purchase. Dacha is a top property agency in Dubai that provides world-class client services. We offer high-quality real estate for sale and lease and comprehensive property management services. Contact us today!