An important decision regarding apartment renters in the UAE
For the past seven years, my home has been in Dubai in the form of an apartment. My landlord took nearly 80 percent of my security deposit after I moved out of the apartment, claiming the costs of maintaining the property, Is doing so permissible? How can I argue against it? What are the legal options I have available to me?
In response to your questions, the rules of Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai are applicable to your situation because you had been living in a rented property in the emirate of Dubai, This law was passed in response to your inquiries.
decision regarding apartment renters in the emirates
When a tenant moves out of a rented apartment in Dubai, the landlord is obligated to return the security deposit that the renter paid, This is in conformity with the provisions of Article 20 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states as follows: "When entering into a rent contract, a landlord may collect from the tenant a security deposit for the purpose of maintaining the real property upon the expiry of the rent contract," At the conclusion of the rental agreement, the landlord is obligated to return either the entire security deposit or any unused portion of it to the renter.
However, if the renter causes damage to the rented property that goes beyond what would be considered normal wear and tear, the landlord has the right to remove some or all of the tenant's security deposit.
Terms of delivery of the apartment to its owner
In addition, it is the responsibility of the tenant to hand over the rented apartment to the landlord in good shape when the tenant vacates the property, This is in accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of the Dubai Rent Law, which states as follows: "Upon expiry of the term of the rent contract, the tenant must surrender possession of the real property to the landlord in the same condition in which the tenant received it at the time of entering into the rent contract, except for ordinary wear and tear or any damage sustained due to the reasons beyond the tenant's control, " In the event that the parties are unable to come to an agreement about this matter, the matter shall be sent to the Tribunal (Dubai Rental Dispute Centre), which shall then provide a ruling on the matter."
Possibility of starting a rent dispute case against the property owner
If you feel that your landlord has removed a particular portion of the amount of the security deposit without a good reason, then you may want to consider initiating a rental disagreement case against your landlord at the Dubai Rental disagreement Centre (RDC), which is based on the provisions of legislation that were discussed above, The RDC is located in Dubai, You may, on the other hand, be required to provide appropriate documentation to the RDC in order to verify your claim that you are entitled to a refund of the security deposit from your landlord. This evidence should state that you have returned the rented unit to the landlord in the same condition in which you received it.
