The Rental Disputes Centre: filing and defending a case
How Dubai's Rental Disputes Centre works, what it costs and how a case runs, for landlords and tenants alike.
The Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) decides disputes between landlords and tenants over property in Dubai. Cases are filed online or through approved service centres, with the tenancy contract and its Ejari registration, and the filing fee is generally 3.5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000, plus service and translation charges.
Most cases begin with an amicable settlement stage. If that fails, the case goes to a hearing and judgment, with a route to appeal in some cases, and the judgment is then enforced through execution.
What the RDC is
The Rental Disputes Settlement Centre, usually called the RDC, was established by a Dubai decree in 2013 and operates under the Dubai Land Department. It hears disputes about tenancies of property in Dubai, outside the DIFC, which has its own regime. Other emirates have their own rental committees or courts: Sharjah, for example, has a rental disputes department within the municipality, and Abu Dhabi has its own rental disputes committee.
Who can file and what about
- Landlords: unpaid rent, bounced rent cheques, eviction on the grounds the law allows, damage and charges under the contract.
- Tenants: return of deposits, unlawful rent increases, failure to maintain the property, wrongful eviction and disputes over renewal.
Documents you will need
- The tenancy contract and its Ejari registration certificate.
- Identification: Emirates ID or passport, and trade licence for a company.
- Payment evidence: cheques, bank statements, receipts.
- Notices exchanged, including any formal notice served through a notary public or registered post.
- Photos, emails and messages that support your claim.
- Arabic translations of documents in other languages, where required.
An unregistered tenancy can be a serious obstacle, so register the contract with Ejari, or deal with the registration, before filing.
What it costs
| Item | Typical position |
|---|---|
| RDC filing fee | Generally 3.5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 500, maximum AED 20,000; money claims are often calculated on the amount claimed |
| Service and knowledge fees | Small fixed charges added to the filing fee |
| Translation | Charged by the legal translator per document |
| Legal advice | Our fees are quoted after the first consultation |
Fees are set by the Dubai Land Department and can change. Confirm the current figure when you file.
How a case runs
- Notice: in many cases the other party must first be given formal notice, and eviction for personal use or sale needs long notice served properly.
- Filing: the claim is filed online or through a service centre, with documents and fees.
- Amicable settlement: the Centre first tries to settle the dispute. Many cases end here.
- Hearing and judgment: if there is no settlement, the case is heard and decided, often on the documents.
- Appeal: appeals are available in some cases, depending on the value and type of claim, within short deadlines.
- Execution: the winning party opens an execution file to recover money or obtain vacant possession.
Eviction: the rules that catch people out
Dubai's tenancy law allows eviction only on specific grounds. During the contract, these include non-payment after notice, subletting without consent and serious breach. At the end of the contract, a landlord can recover the property for personal use, sale, or major renovation or demolition, but usually only after formal notice served at least twelve months before the eviction date. Notices that are served informally or too late are a common reason for claims to fail.
Rent increases
In Dubai, rent increases at renewal are capped by reference to the official rental index published by the Land Department, and the landlord must give notice of changes to the contract terms before renewal. If you are a tenant facing an increase, check the index for your property before you agree.
Settling well
A settlement at the RDC should cover everything: the amount and dates of payment, the return of security cheques and deposits, the move-out date if relevant, and the closing of the case and any travel ban. Put it in writing and record it with the Centre.
This guide is general information about UAE law and practice as at the date above, not legal advice for your situation. Procedures and fees change. For advice on your matter, contact us.
Questions people ask
Yes. Claims can be filed through the Dubai Land Department and Dubai REST channels or at approved service centres.
Many are settled at the first stage. Cases that go to a hearing are usually decided faster than ordinary court cases, but appeals and execution add time.
In practice, yes. The Centre relies on the registered tenancy contract, so deal with the registration before filing.
Yes, at the end of the contract, but usually only after formal notice served at least twelve months before the eviction date.
No. DIFC property follows its own regime, and other emirates have their own rental committees or courts.
Sources
Official sources this guide relies on. Check them for the current position before acting.
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