How does RERA handle disputes between landlords and tenants?
The Dubai Land Department also has the Real Estate Regulatory Agency or RERA that mainly oversee instances of conflict between a landlord and tenant. This is done mainly through the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre which is affiliated to the Dubai Land Department. Here is an overview of how RERA handles these disputes:
1. Initial Steps and Documentation
In case of a disagreement the offended party, whether the landlord or the tenant has to compile all supporting information. This generally comprises of Ejari tenancy contract, payment receipt/documents such as DEWA bills and any other correspondence between the two parties.
2. Filing a Complaint
The complaint can only be made to the RDC. This has to be done online through the DLD’s website: or personally visiting the RDC office. A fee is required to be paid by the complainant which ranges from one percent of the annual rent to a maximum of twenty thousand units of the local currency and a minimum of five hundred units of the local currency; not more than thirty five percent. There are also other small fees for knowledge and innovation too.
3. Arbitration Process
As soon as the complaint is filed it is referred to the Arbitration Department within the RDC as the first step. Here, hope is given to be able to settle it within fifteen days. If there are consented terms reached in the suit it is written down and given strength of an execution writ.
4. Judicial Proceedings
In the event of the arbitration process not being successful then the case will go to trial. The RDC then provides a hearing date whereby both the parties have an opportunity to exhaust their arguments. An overall decision is sometimes reached in the period that does not generally exceed thirty days. In complex case or one that involves amount above AED fifty thousand, either party has the right to appeal within fifteen days.
5. Common Issues Handled
The RDC handles a variety of disputes, including:
- Non-payment of Rent: Tenants have 30 days to pay the landlord for any amount owed and if not done so then the landlord can sue for eviction.
- Unauthorized Subleasing: Any tenant who takes time to sublet a room without the owner’s permission will end up being evicted.
- Property Damage: Disputes that entail damage of property or the neglect of the property.
- Evictions: Cases where the landlords wants to take back the property as their home, for the purpose of extensive refurbishment or simply for the purpose of selling the property.
6. Rent Increases and Reductions
RERA contains the right to regulate rent increases by means of the necessary rent calculator so that the increase will be a reasonable and legal one. Negotiation disagreements may occur as concerning excessive rent raises and in case of non-compliance with the RERA rules, the dispute has to be solved in the RDC.
7. Tracking and Follow-up
This means that the RDC has incorporated the use of online services that enables the track the progress of a case by the parties involved in the dispute. This also enables them to be informed on matters concerning hearings, the verdicts or any actions that needs to be taken.
Specifically, need of RERA for maintaining balance in dispute resolution between purchaser and developer.
RERA is responsible for handling all the dispute settling within the Dubai rental market hence ensuring that the market remains fair and transparent. In this case, RERA also assist in protecting the rights of the landlords and the tenants by prescribing the structured legal processes of settling disputes hence creating a stable and trustworthy environment for real estate investors.
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