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Eviction Notices, Rent Increases, and Deposit Disputes in Dubai:
What Tenants Should Understand
What Tenants Should Understand
2026
Updated: April 2026
Dubai’s rental market has been under mounting pressure for several years. With property values having surged significantly, some landlords are pushing hard to maximise returns - through rent increases that exceed what’s permitted, through pressure to vacate, and through deposit disputes at the end of tenancy.
The framework protecting tenants is clear. Most tenants simply aren’t familiar with what it actually says.
The framework protecting tenants is clear. Most tenants simply aren’t familiar with what it actually says.
Eviction: What the Process Is Supposed to Look Like
Under Dubai’s Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended), there is a defined process a landlord must follow before a tenant can be legally required to leave.
A minimum 12-month written notice is required, served via notary public. Informal notice - by phone, WhatsApp, or email - does not meet the legal standard.
The notice must also be based on a valid legal ground. Recognised grounds include the landlord’s intention to sell, to occupy the property personally (or with a first-degree relative), to carry out major renovation, or a material breach of the tenancy agreement by the tenant.
When a landlord applies pressure to leave without meeting these requirements, it’s generally worth understanding what the process should look like before deciding how to respond.
Under Dubai’s Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended), there is a defined process a landlord must follow before a tenant can be legally required to leave.
A minimum 12-month written notice is required, served via notary public. Informal notice - by phone, WhatsApp, or email - does not meet the legal standard.
The notice must also be based on a valid legal ground. Recognised grounds include the landlord’s intention to sell, to occupy the property personally (or with a first-degree relative), to carry out major renovation, or a material breach of the tenancy agreement by the tenant.
When a landlord applies pressure to leave without meeting these requirements, it’s generally worth understanding what the process should look like before deciding how to respond.
Rent Increases: There Is a Cap
Rent increases in Dubai are not at the landlord’s discretion. RERA publishes a Rental Increase Calculator that sets the maximum permissible increase based on your current rent relative to market rates in your specific area.
If a landlord is proposing an increase that seems significantly above market, checking the RERA calculator is a straightforward first step. Tenants have access to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) if a dispute arises.
Rent increases in Dubai are not at the landlord’s discretion. RERA publishes a Rental Increase Calculator that sets the maximum permissible increase based on your current rent relative to market rates in your specific area.
If a landlord is proposing an increase that seems significantly above market, checking the RERA calculator is a straightforward first step. Tenants have access to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) if a dispute arises.
Security Deposit Deductions
At the end of a tenancy, deductions from a security deposit should correspond to actual, documented damage - not normal wear and tear that comes with ordinary use of a property. Itemised evidence is expected. The RDSC handles deposit disputes relatively efficiently.
At the end of a tenancy, deductions from a security deposit should correspond to actual, documented damage - not normal wear and tear that comes with ordinary use of a property. Itemised evidence is expected. The RDSC handles deposit disputes relatively efficiently.
What Helps Most
The tenants who tend to navigate these situations best are those who documented the property’s condition at the start of the tenancy, kept records of communications, and understood the basic framework before a dispute arose.
If you’re already in a difficult situation with a landlord, understanding the formal options available - before responding - is usually worthwhile.
We work with specialists who handle rental disputes in Dubai. If you’d like a clearer picture of your situation, get in touch.
The tenants who tend to navigate these situations best are those who documented the property’s condition at the start of the tenancy, kept records of communications, and understood the basic framework before a dispute arose.
If you’re already in a difficult situation with a landlord, understanding the formal options available - before responding - is usually worthwhile.
We work with specialists who handle rental disputes in Dubai. If you’d like a clearer picture of your situation, get in touch.