Latest news with #DubaiRentLaw
Khaleej Times
22-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Do tenants have to pay for accidental damage during maintenance?
Question: I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Dubai. One of the major AC components was damaged due to something we did; so basically, it was our fault. Are we responsible for fixing it and covering the cost of the damages, or would this fall under regular maintenance? Answer: In Dubai, it is the responsibility of a landlord to carry out the maintenance and repair works of a rented apartment, unless agreed otherwise. This is in accordance with Article 16 of Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai, which states, "Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a landlord shall, during the term of the lease contract, be responsible for the real property maintenance works and for repairing any breakdown or defect that affects the tenant's full intended use of the real property. Furthermore, a landlord may be responsible for rectifying any breakdown, damages or defects caused to a rented apartment and if such breakdown, damages, or defects are caused due to reasons which are beyond the control of a tenant. This is under Article 17 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states, 'A landlord may not make to the real property or any of its facilities or appurtenances, any changes that preclude the intended use of the same. The landlord shall be responsible for any such changes whether made by him or by any other person authorised by him. In addition, the landlord shall be responsible for any breakdown, impairment, defect, or damage sustained by the real property for reasons beyond the control of the tenant.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. However, it is a tenant's responsibility to maintain the rented apartment in good condition and not to make any changes and/or carry out restoration or maintenance works without obtaining the permission of your landlord. This is in accordance with Article 19 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states, 'A tenant must pay the rent on its due dates and must maintain the real property in a good condition as a reasonable person would maintain his own property. Without prejudice to the tenant's obligation to carry out any restoration that is agreed upon or which is customary for tenants to undertake, the tenant may not make any changes or carry out any restoration or maintenance works in the real property without obtaining the permission of the landlord and the necessary licences from the competent official entities.' When a renting period ends, a tenant must return the property in the same condition it was received — except for normal wear and tear or damage caused by factors outside the tenant's control. If there's a disagreement about the property's condition, it will be resolved by the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (the Tribunal). This is in accordance with Article 21 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states, 'Upon expiry of the term of a Lease Contract, the tenant must surrender possession of the real property to the landlord in the same condition in which the tenant received it at the time of entering into the lease contract, except for ordinary wear and tear or any damage sustained due to reasons beyond the tenant's control. Where a dispute between the parties arises in this regard, it shall be referred to the tribunal to issue its decision on the same.' Based on the aforementioned provisions of the Dubai Rent Law, it may be advised that where damage to a major AC component is caused by your own actions, the responsibility to repair or replace the damaged part may fall upon you, rather than being treated as routine maintenance typically handled by your landlord.
Hi Dubai
17-03-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai: When Are Landlords Required to Refund Security Deposits in Full to Tenants?
Question: I am planning to move out of my Dubai apartment soon. I wish to understand the rules around the security deposit I had given when I moved in. Does the owner have the right to deduct anything from that amount? If so, what are the reasons for which he can do so? Answer: In Dubai, landlords are required to refund the security deposit collected from tenants upon vacating the apartment, as stated in Article 20 of Law No. 26 of 2007, which governs landlord-tenant relations in the emirate. The law mandates that a landlord must refund the full deposit or any remaining balance to the tenant after the lease ends. However, tenants are obliged to return the rented property in good condition, barring normal wear and tear and damages beyond their control, as per Article 21 of the Dubai Rent Law. If a tenant leaves the property in a condition beyond reasonable wear and tear, the landlord may deduct the necessary amount from the deposit to cover the repair costs. Common reasons for security deposit deductions include: Damage to property : If the tenant has caused harm to the apartment or its fixtures, the landlord can deduct repair costs. : If the tenant has caused harm to the apartment or its fixtures, the landlord can deduct repair costs. Unpaid bills: If utility bills or other charges remain unpaid, the deposit may be used to settle these dues. If there is no damage beyond normal wear and tear, landlords are obligated to refund the full security deposit as per the tenancy agreement. News Source: Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
16-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai property: When should landlords refund security deposits to tenants in full?
Question: I am planning to move out of my Dubai apartment soon. I wish to understand the rules around the security deposit I had given when I moved in. Does the owner have the right to deduct anything from that amount? If so, what are the reasons for which he can do so? Answer: In Dubai, a landlord may have to refund the security deposit collected from a tenant at the time of vacating a rented apartment under Article 20 of Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai, which states: 'When entering into a rent contract, a landlord may collect from the tenant a security deposit for the purpose of maintenance of the real property upon the expiry of the rent contract. The landlord must refund this deposit or the balance thereof to the tenant upon expiry of the rent contract.' It is an obligation of a tenant to hand over a rented property in good condition to a landlord at the time of vacating it except for reasonable wear and tear and for reasons beyond the control of a tenant. This is in accordance with Article 21 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states: 'Upon expiry of the term of the rent contract, the tenant must surrender possession of the real property to the landlord in the same condition in which the tenant received it at the time of entering into the rent contract, except for ordinary wear and tear or any damage sustained due to the reasons beyond the tenant's control.' However, if the tenant caused certain damage to the property beyond reasonable wear and tear, the landlord may retain the security deposit in part or in full to rectify such damage caused by the tenant. If a tenant does not cause damage, a landlord should refund the security deposit in full in accordance with the provisions of the tenancy agreement between the tenant and the landlord.
