Help! My Dubai rent cheque is due, but I don’t have the money

Dubai - Your legal rights in Dubai when it comes to rent cheques that have been submitted.

Question: I am a resident of Dubai. I have been living in a two-bedroom apartment for the last four years. The contract was renewed six months back with six cheques for the year. I have another two cheques to go and, due to some financial difficulties, I will not be able to meet the rent obligation. I expect the crisis to end soon. Can I request a postponement in payment? What are the options open to me? What happens if the real estate company refuses to not hold the cheque? Can I request that I be allowed to end the contract without any penalties, as I really don't have the money to pay the penalty?

Answer: Pursuant to your queries, as your rented apartment is situated in the emirate of Dubai, the provisions of Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai (Dubai Tenancy Law) and Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai (Amended Dubai Tenancy Law) are applicable.

It should be noted that it is the responsibility of the tenant to pay the rent to the landlord on the due dates.

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This is in accordance with Article 19 of the Dubai Tenancy Law, which states: “The Tenant must pay the Rent on due dates…..”

In the event of non-payment of rent by the tenant, the landlord may seek the tenant's eviction in accordance with Article 25(1)(a) of the Amended Dubai Tenancy law, which states: “1. The Landlord may seek eviction of the Tenant from the Real Property prior to the expiry of the term of the Tenancy only in the following cases: