Law No. 26 of 2007chapter by chapter

Article 3 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

The Law applies to land and Real Property leased out in the Emirate, excluding Real Property provided free of Rent by natural or legal persons as accommodation for their employees.

Article 4 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

The Landlord-Tenant relationship must be regulated by a Lease Contract specifying the Real Property description, lease purpose, term, Rent and payment method, and the owner's name (if the Landlord is not the owner); all Lease Contracts must be registered with RERA (e.g. via Ejari).

Article 5

The lease term must be specified; where not specified or provable, the Lease Contract is deemed valid for the period prescribed for Rent payment.

Article 6

Where the lease term expires but the Tenant continues to occupy the property without Landlord objection, the Lease Contract is automatically renewed for the same term or one year, whichever is shorter, on the same terms.

Article 7

A valid Lease Contract may not be unilaterally terminated during its term by either party; it may only be terminated by mutual consent or as provided by the Law.

Article 9 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

Landlords and Tenants must specify Rent in Lease Contracts; where unspecified and unprovable, Rent defaults to the rental value of similar Real Property as determined by the Tribunal using RERA's rent-increase criteria and market comparables.

Article 10

RERA has the authority to establish criteria relating to the percentage of Rent increase in the Emirate in line with the prevailing economic situation (see also Decree 43/2013 rent increase calculator).

Article 11

Unless otherwise agreed, Rent covers use of Real Property facilities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, gymnasiums, health clubs, and car parks.

Article 12

The Tenant pays Rent on dates mutually agreed; absent agreement or verification of payment dates, Rent must be paid annually in four equal instalments settled in advance.

Article 13 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

For lease renewal, parties may reconsider the Rent before expiry; if they cannot agree, the Tribunal may determine a fair Rent using the Article 9 criteria.

Article 14 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

Unless otherwise agreed, a party wishing to amend Lease Contract terms upon renewal must notify the other party at least 90 days before the Lease Contract expires.

Article 15 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

The Landlord must hand over the Real Property in good condition allowing full use as stated in the Lease Contract (parties may agree to off-plan leasing, with construction completion cost allocation specified in the agreement).

Article 16

Unless otherwise agreed, the Landlord is responsible during the lease term for Real Property maintenance and repair of any breakdown or defect affecting the Tenant's full intended use.

Article 17

The Landlord may not make changes to the Real Property that preclude its intended use, and is responsible for any breakdown, impairment, or damage arising for reasons beyond the Tenant's control.

Article 18

The Landlord must grant the Tenant any approvals required from competent official entities for decoration or other works, provided the works do not affect the Real Property's structure and the Tenant provides the required official documents.

Article 19

The Tenant must pay Rent on due dates and maintain the Real Property in good condition; the Tenant may not make changes or carry out restoration/maintenance without the Landlord's permission and necessary official licences.

Article 20

The Landlord may collect a security deposit for property maintenance and must refund the deposit (or balance) to the Tenant upon lease expiry.

Article 24

Unless otherwise agreed, the Tenant may not sublease or assign use of the Real Property to third parties without the Landlord's written consent.

Article 25 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

A Landlord may evict a Tenant before lease expiry only on statutory grounds (non-payment after 30-day notice, unauthorised sublease, illegal use, unoccupied 30 consecutive/90 non-consecutive days for business premises, unsafe alteration/damage, misuse violating planning regulations, structural collapse risk certified by Dubai Municipality, or failure to remedy a breach within 30 days of notice); Notices must be served via Notary Public or registered mail. Upon lease expiry, eviction is permitted

Article 26 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

Where the Tribunal awards the Landlord repossession for own/relative use, the Landlord may not re-let the Real Property to a third party within 2 years (residential) or 3 years (non-residential) from repossession, or the Tenant may claim compensation.

Article 27

A Lease Contract does not expire on the death of the Landlord or Tenant; it continues with the heirs, unless the Tenant's heirs elect to terminate (effective 30+ days after notifying the Landlord or upon lease expiry, whichever is earlier).

Article 28

Transfer of Real Property ownership to a new owner does not affect the Tenant's right to continue occupying the property under the existing (fixed-date) Lease Contract.

Article 29 (as superseded by Law 33/2008)

A Tenant has a right of first refusal to return to demolished/reconstructed or renovated/restored Real Property (Rent per Article 9 criteria), to be exercised within 30 days of Landlord notification.

Article 31

Filing a claim to evict a Tenant does not exempt the Tenant from paying Rent for the entire period the claim is being heard until an award is rendered and enforced.

Article 34

A Landlord may not disconnect services from the Real Property or otherwise disturb the Tenant's use; a Tenant experiencing this may seek police or Tribunal remedy including compensation.

Article 35

Awards relating to vacating Real Property are enforced through the Tribunal per its rules; other Tribunal awards are enforced by the Enforcement Division of the Dubai Courts.