Evicting a tenant when the landlord does not want to renew the lease
In Dubai, if the tenant fulfills all the obligations set forth in the lease agreement with the landlord, the landlord has no right to evict the tenant.
However, the landlord may require the eviction of the tenant under the following conditions – demolition for renovation; comprehensive maintenance that cannot be performed in the presence of the tenant; the landlord intends to use the rental property for his/her own needs or the needs of his/her immediate family and has no other property in Dubai to live in; and if the landlord wants to sell the rental property.
However, the landlord is required to serve a one-year notice through a notary and/or by registered mail and state the reason for eviction.
Dubai: Can I legally challenge my landlord’s eviction notice?
What can you do if you are told to vacate the apartment?
Q: I have been living in an apartment in Dubai for the past 10 years. I heard that for some reason we will be served with an eviction notice. Can I legally contest this? If yes, how?
A: As per your questions, since you are living in a rented apartment in Dubai, the provisions of Law No. 33 of 2008 amending Law No. 26 of 2007 governing landlord-tenant relations in the Emirate of
Dubai
In Dubai, if the tenant fulfills all the obligations specified in the lease agreement concluded with the landlord, the landlord has no right to evict the tenant.
However, the landlord may request the eviction of the tenant under the following conditions – demolition of the property for renovation; comprehensive renovations that cannot be performed in the presence of the tenant; the landlord intends to use the rental property for his own needs or the needs of immediate family and has no other property in Dubai to live in; and if the landlord wants to sell the rental property.
However, the landlord must be served with a one-year notice through a notary and/or by registered mail and must state the reason for eviction.
You are then presumed to be in compliance with all the obligations stated in the lease and not in breach of any conditions.
Therefore, if your landlord is not complying with the provisions of the amended Dubai Lease Law and wants to evict you as a tenant, you may contact the Dubai Lease Dispute Centre and file a complaint against your landlord.
