Disputes & enforcement

Rental dispute lawyers for RDC cases

For landlords and tenants: eviction notices, unpaid rent, rent increases and renewals, prepared properly and followed through to enforcement.

In short

Rental disputes between landlords and tenants in Dubai are decided by the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC), and other emirates have their own rental committees or courts. A strong case depends on the tenancy contract, its registration, the notices that were served and the payment record.

We review your position, prepare the claim or defence with the right documents, guide you through filing, the settlement stage and the hearing, and follow the judgment through to enforcement.

What we handle

How we can help

Eviction and vacating claims

Eviction is only possible on the grounds the law allows, such as non-payment, personal use, sale or major renovation, and usually after a formal notice served the right way. We check whether the grounds and notice period are met before anyone files.

Unpaid rent and service charge recovery

For landlords, we prepare claims for unpaid rent, bounced rent cheques and charges owed under the contract. For tenants, we look at deposits withheld and charges that the contract does not support.

III

Rent increase and contract renewal disputes

Rent increases at renewal are capped by the official rental index in Dubai and must be notified in advance. We assess whether a proposed increase is lawful and how to respond.

Registration of tenancy cases and enforcement

An RDC judgment is only useful once it is enforced. We register the case properly, and after judgment we take the execution steps that turn a decision into payment or vacant possession.

Defending a case filed against you

If you have been served with a claim, the first deadlines matter. We review the claim, gather your evidence and prepare a clear defence and any counterclaim.

How it works

From first call to resolution

Review the tenancy
We read the contract, its registration (Ejari in Dubai), the payment record and every notice exchanged, because most RDC cases are won or lost on these documents.
Notice and negotiation
Where a formal notice is needed, we prepare it. Where a settlement is realistic, we propose terms before costs are incurred.
File or respond
We prepare the claim or defence and the supporting documents, with Arabic translations where required, and guide you through filing with the Centre.
Settlement stage and hearing
The Centre first tries to settle the matter amicably. If that fails, the case goes to a hearing. We prepare you for both, and coordinate with licensed counsel where an appearance requires it.
Enforce the result
After judgment we take the execution steps: payment orders, eviction execution or release of deposits.

The Rental Disputes Centre in brief

In Dubai, the Rental Disputes Centre operates under the Dubai Land Department and decides disputes between landlords and tenants over property in the emirate. Claims are filed online or through approved service centres, and the filing fee is generally a percentage of the annual rent, subject to a minimum and a maximum. Cases usually start with an amicable settlement stage before a hearing. The tenancy contract normally has to be registered for a claim to proceed.

Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates have their own rental committees and procedures, with different fees and forms. We advise on tenancies across the UAE and tell you early which forum applies to your property.

Common mistakes we help clients avoid

Serving an eviction notice informally, or with the wrong notice period, which can invalidate the claim.
Stopping rent payments in protest, which can turn a tenant's strong position into a weak one.
Agreeing a settlement without writing in the return of cheques, deposits or the closing of the case.
Waiting too long after a judgment to start execution.

For a step-by-step explanation of filing, fees and timings, read our guide to the Rental Disputes Centre.

FAQ

Rental Disputes (RDC): your questions

Claims are filed with the Rental Disputes Centre online or through an approved service centre, with the tenancy contract, its registration, identification and the evidence for your claim. We prepare the claim and documents so it is accepted the first time.

Only on the grounds the law allows, such as non-payment or breach, and with the proper notice. Personal use or sale usually requires a formal notice served well in advance. We check whether the grounds and notice are valid.

The Centre charges a filing fee based on the annual rent or the amount claimed, within a set minimum and maximum, plus translation and service charges. Our own fees are quoted after the first consultation.

Yes. A landlord with a claim for unpaid rent can ask for a travel ban if the legal conditions are met. Settling the claim and filing the release is usually the way to remove it.

Yes. We act for both, and our advice always starts with the contract and the notices, whichever side you are on.

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