Dubai is a hotspot for renting various accommodation options. However, there are certain rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants that must be fulfilled. We have penned down the landlord rights in Dubai to help you understand the basics.
These rights have been set by RERA Dubai, responsible for regulating real estate transactions in the Emirate. Let’s go through these rights and understand why they are important.
Rights of a Landlord in Dubai
When planning to rent in Dubai, one must take into account their responsibilities towards the landlord. Both the landlord and the tenant must register the contract with Ejari to protect their rights and prevent any mishaps.
That said, here are the legal rights of a landlord in Dubai that every tenant must acknowledge when moving into a rented property. The Dubai landlord rights are in line with RERA tenancy rules.
Right to Rental Income
Landlords have the right to receive rent payments from tenants per the agreed terms and conditions outlined in the lease agreement. The tenants can also not make any changes to the property unless approved by the landlord.
As per RERA Law, a landlord has the right to increase rent by 5%, given the current rent is 11 to 20% less than the Emirate’s average rent. However, for different properties, the rent increase will be made in accordance with the RERA Rent calculator. The landlord can also increase the rent when the lease is renewed, provided they notify the tenants 90 days in advance in written form.
Right to Eviction
In case the tenants breach the tenancy agreement, a landlord has the right to evict them. Under Articles No. 25 and 26, if the tenants haven’t paid the rent within thirty days of notice, the landlord can give them the tenancy eviction notice.
Other reasons that might lead to an eviction notice include:
- Damage to the rental property or unapproved changes by the tenants
- Sub-leasing of the property without the landlord’s permission
- Misuse of the property
- In case the property might collapse
- If the property is used for illegal or immoral activities
- If the property is used other than its intended purpose
A landlord can also give the eviction notice in case the property is to be demolished or renovated for the development in the city. If the maintenance or the changes in the property can not be made while the tenants are living there, they will receive an eviction notice.
On the other hand, the landlord can not issue an eviction notice upon the expiration of the lease agreement. This can only be done if the property is to be renovated/demolished or to be used by the landlord themselves or their first-degree relatives.
Right to Withhold Security Deposit
Security deposit is an important aspect when one rents a property in Dubai. In terms of landlord rights in Dubai, they can withhold this security deposit if the tenant breaches the tenancy agreement. This includes damage to the property or non-payment of rent.
A landlord can also deduct the deposit if the repairs requested by the tenants are not completed on time.
Therefore, to receive a security deposit refund from the landlord, the tenants must follow these steps:
- Understand and adhere to the tenancy contract
- Pay attention to inspection conducts
- Pay the bills
- Give attention to minor details such as moving the furniture or painting walls
Right to Inspection
The right to inspect the property is among the important and legal rights of a landlord in Dubai. Before conducting an inspection, the landlord must provide a written notice to the tenant 24 hours in advance. The property inspection in Dubai and other cities are conducted to keep property maintenance in check and to ensure adherence to the tenancy agreement.
Right to Terminate Tenancy Agreement
A landlord also has the right to terminate the tenancy contract before it is completed. However, it can only be terminated in certain circumstances such as damage to the property by the tenants.
Also, the landlord is required to serve a 12-month written notice to end the tenancy agreement early.
To end a tenancy contract in Dubai, RERA has set the following set of rules:
- Both the landlord and the tenant must agree with the contract termination.
- In case of the demise of either party, the agreement is transferred to the heir of the party. It can only be terminated on the heir’s approval.
- The rights of a landlord must be fulfilled for a healthy tenant-landlord relationship. These practices help to resolve the conflict between the two parties.
Responsibilities of a Landlord in Dubai
Apart from the above-mentioned rights, the landlords must also take care of responsibility at their end. These responsibilities include:
- Maintenance of the property before the tenants move in.
- Ensuring the wear and tear maintenance of the property while the tenants are living there.
- The return of the security deposit on the lease completion if the tenants have left the property in satisfactory condition.
- Providing check-in and check-out reports to the tenants.
- Providing a secure environment for the safety of the tenants.
FAQs
What are the primary rights of landlords in Dubai?
Landlords in Dubai have the right to receive rent on time, inspect the property with prior notice and seek legal recourse for contract breaches.
Can a landlord increase the rent during a tenancy contract?
Yes, landlords can increase rent, but it must comply with the guidelines set by the Dubai Land Department’s Rental Index and must provide 90 days’ notice before the contract renewal date.
What are a landlord’s responsibilities regarding property maintenance?
Landlords are responsible for major maintenance and repair work to ensure the property is habitable and complies with safety standards.
This is all on the landlord rights and responsibilities in Dubai and why is it obligatory for the tenants to fulfil them. Therefore, these rights should be kept in mind when renting an apartment in Dubai or a house.
Also, if you are planning to rent a property in the Emirates, make sure to avoid these types of landlords for a positive renting experience.
Stay connected to dubizzle’s real estate blog for more on tenancy rules, agreements and rights.
