I'm in a tough spot here in Dubai. I rented my apartment to someone who's stopped paying rent, and despite my requests for them to leave, they're refusing. To make matters worse, they've changed the locks on the apartment! My lease ends this month, and I don't want to renew. If my landlord finds out about this situation, I could be looking at a fine of over 30k, which I can't afford. It feels like this tenant is playing hardball knowing the stakes. Any advice on how to handle this situation?
3 Answers
I feel for you! This can be really frustrating. In Dubai, you typically need to go through legal channels to handle evictions. I recommend contacting the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) for guidance. They can help you understand your rights and the right process to follow. It might be painful now, but protecting yourself legally is the best route.
Just a heads-up: In situations like this, it's often beneficial to try and negotiate with the tenant if you can get them to respond. While it sounds like they're being difficult, sometimes a little communication might help. However, proceed with caution—keep everything documented!
You should check the tenancy laws in Dubai. They generally protect landlords quite well, but there are procedures you have to follow. Since the tenant has changed the locks, it's definitely a serious situation. Document everything, and if you haven't yet, talk to a lawyer who specializes in rental disputes ASAP! You might be able to start eviction proceedings especially since your lease is ending.