Dubai has become very popular in recent years due to its numerous attractions, opportunities, and quality of life. Many people who move to Dubai prefer to rent rather than buy property because it is well-known that its property market has become more expensive in recent years.
As its rental rates grow, more tenants are renewing their leases. Whether you are moving to the beautiful city or renewing your lease, you should always know your tenant's rights. This knowledge will help you protect yourself and give you peace of mind.
Negotiating Cheque Payments
In Dubai, most tenants pay rent using cheques. As a tenant, you have the right to negotiate the number of cheques you will use to pay the whole amount throughout your tenancy. Once you have agreed on the total rent amount and the number of cheques, you divide the amount by the number of cheques and pay the result at predetermined intervals.
The number of cheques, and therefore payments, typically varies between one and six. Negotiating is important because landlords prefer fewer cheques, while you might want more since each payment would be more manageable. That said, a real estate agent can negotiate this on your behalf depending on your situation.
Tenants who pay using one cheque have to pay the whole rental amount at the start of their rental period. If they pay by more than one, they have to provide post-dated cheques for each interval. For example, a tenant paying using three would send one at the start of their tenancy, and two for each additional four-month period of their stay.
Negotiating Lower Rent
If possible, UpperKey recommends paying the whole amount using one cheque. Dubai landlords charge higher rents for tenants who pay using multiple checks. If you cannot pay the whole amount, consider praying with as few cheques as possible to lower your rent.
Landlords who do not want to deal with cheques while increasing their income opt for short-term Airbnb rental arrangements. Also, the Dubai Land Ministry intends to allow rent payments through online banking, reducing the need for cheque payments. This arrangement will benefit both tenants and landlords while also ensuring the city is in line with other cities in developed nations.
Security Deposit Rights
Many Dubai landlords require a security deposit at the start of a tenancy agreement. As a tenant, you should expect to pay 5% of the annual rent if you opt for an unfurnished property and 10% for a furnished one.
The security deposit is refundable but is subject to a crucial condition. You will receive the full amount or part of it depending on the property’s condition when you vacate it.
The security deposit does not apply if you opt for a short-term Airbnb rental in Dubai, but other charges will apply according to the platform’s terms. It is also against Airbnb’s terms of service to ask for a security deposit outside the platform, so you have a right to report any Dubai landlord who does this.
About Maintenance and Repairs
It is typical for something to break or to require maintenance when renting a property. In Dubai, the landlord is responsible for all repairs and maintenance. However, there is a caveat.
Some landlords add clauses to their contracts that stipulate they only cover repairs and maintenance that exceed a specific amount. Under these clauses, the tenant is responsible for minor repairs. UpperKey, therefore, strongly advises that you read your tenancy agreement carefully to see if they have included such clauses before signing it.
Also, ensure the contract outlines the amount and what minor or major repairs and maintenance entail. This will avoid disputes and headaches when you inevitably need these services.
Breaking Contracts
Whether you can break a tenancy contract depends on the terms and clauses it includes. If you think you might need to do this, check the contract to see if there are terms that stipulate how to do it.
In many cases, the clauses dictate that you pay the landlord a specific amount for breaking the contract. If there is no such clause and you do it anyway, the landlord might seek compensation.
If you think you might have to do this before your tenancy is over, for example, if you need to move due to work arrangements, talk to your landlord beforehand. Many are reasonable and will include clauses that outline the terms of doing so to ensure tenant retention.
Eviction Rights
A Dubai landlord cannot evict you before your tenancy ends, unless under specific circumstances. For example, they can evict you if:
● The property is to be demolished
● You fail to pay rent within three days of being asked to
● You use the property for illegal or immoral activities
● You break the terms of your tenancy agreement
● You sublease the property without permission
In all other cases, the landlord has to provide you with a written notice 12 months in advance through a Notary Public or registered mail.
Protection from Rent Increases
Despite the growing Dubai rental and property market, a landlord cannot increase your rent without following proper procedure. They can only do this when you sign a new lease or renew an existing one.
If they want to do this during renewal, they must give you a written notice 90 days before the increase and your tenancy lapses. If they do not follow this procedure, you can refuse to pay the increase. You can also refuse the increase if you received communication too late; less than 90 days to the agreement lapsing.
The Right to Use Services You Paid For
Apart from the property you are living in, your agreement might also include access to amenities like communal areas. If the landlord does not pay for these services for your use, you can seek legal recourse through the Dubai Rental Disputes Settlement Centre.
Dubai is one of the most attractive cities in the world, which explains why so many people move there every year. If you are considering doing so and renting a property, you should know what rights you are entitled to. These rights protect you and ensure the best experience living in the magical city.Dubai has become very popular in recent years due to its numerous attractions, opportunities, and quality of life. Many people who move to Dubai prefer to rent rather than buy property because it is well-known that its property market has become more expensive in recent years.
As its rental rates grow, more tenants are renewing their leases. Whether you are moving to the beautiful city or renewing your lease, you should always know your tenant's rights. This knowledge will help you protect yourself and give you peace of mind.