Dubai Rental Law; Difference Between Eviction Due to Debt and Property Sale

According to rental laws in Dubai, landlords can request eviction under specific conditions if the tenant fails to pay rent or decides to sell the property.

According to the amended landlord-tenant relationship law in Dubai, if the tenant does not pay the rent or part of it within 30 days after receiving a formal notice, the landlord has the right to initiate eviction before the end of the contract. This notice must be delivered to the tenant through a Notary Public or registered mail.

If the tenant continues to neglect their financial obligations, the landlord can file for both eviction and claim overdue rents at the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. Once the eviction order is issued and executed, the property is fully returned to the landlord, allowing for its sale.

However, if the landlord's sole intention is to sell the property and not due to tenant misconduct, the law specifies a different procedure. In this case, eviction is only possible after the lease contract ends, and the landlord is required to formally notify the tenant of the reason for the property sale at least 12 months before the eviction date.

In simple terms, in Dubai, failure to pay rent can lead to immediate eviction, but selling a property without tenant misconduct requires a 12-month notice.
Source: Gulf Times