Dubai Rental Disputes Centre guide 2026: How to file a complaint, what it costs and what to expect

Dubai: Disagreements between landlords and tenants are understandable, and often quickly resolved. But if neither party is willing to come to a conclusion, it may be time to raise a rental dispute. In Dubai, complaints from both tenants and landlords are heard by the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC). From issues like unpaid rent to unfair eviction notices and incorrect security deposit deductions, the RDC mediates between the landlord and tenant and brings the matter to an effective conclusion, based on the emirate’s regulations. Here’s what you need to know about the documents required, how much it costs, and what to expect from the process of filing a rental complaint with the RDC. What is the Rental Disputes Centre? Established by Decree No. (26) of 2013, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the RDC is a specialised judicial body under the Dubai Land Department (DLD) that is responsible for handling and resolving all disputes between landlords and tenants in the emirate. When should I file a rental dispute? Escalating the complaint should never be the first step, according to legal experts [will add link to move-out story], who said both parties should always try to resolve the dispute first, before raising it with the RDC. For certain scenarios, there are clear steps that must be taken before raising the issue with the authorities, according to Dubai’s Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai, amended by Law No. 33 of 2008 – the legislation that oversees all aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship. Here are a few to note: Unpaid rent dispute: A missed payment or bounced rent cheque does not automatically give landlords the right to evict their tenants. A formal notice must be sent to the tenant first and he/she must be granted 30 days to pay the outstanding amount, according to Article 25(1) of the law, which states: “The Landlord may seek eviction of the Tenant from the Property before the expiry of the Lease Contract term… where the Tenant fails to pay the Rent or any part thereof within thirty (30) days from the date of service of Notice to pay on the Tenant by the Landlord.” Notice period dispute: The law states that if either the landlord or tenant wants to change contract terms or rent for the next lease period, they must give notice of at least 90 days before the current contract ends. Navandeep Matta, senior associate at Kochhar & Co. Inc. Legal Consultants, Dubai, explained that any notice should be provided through a provable form: “For a significant tenancy, mirror the Article 25 standard of notice through a notary public or by registered mail. Email alone is reliable only where the contract expressly permits it.” Early termination dispute: In Dubai, terminating a tenancy contract before its expiry date carries a standard penalty of two months’ rent, and the tenant must provide 60 days’ prior written notice, according to Matta. If the contract is silent on the issue, the tenant remains (in principle) liable for the rent for the unexpired portion of the term, and the landlord may present the remaining cheques. What documents are required when filing a dispute? The documents required vary based on the dispute in question, however, the RDC outlines the following standard documents required in most cases: Valid Ejari-registered contract Valid Emirates ID Letter from bank or bank statement mentioning the claimant’s IBAN (International Bank Account Number). A copy of the notarised notice, along with the notification officer’s report or a registered post along with receipt of notice acknowledgement, in case of eviction claims. Documents that support your claim, such as power of attorney, management contract, correspondence, notices, electricity and water bills, cheques, and letters. According to the RDC website, when filing a dispute, all documents must be submitted in or translated legally into Arabic, and be uploaded according to the sections described in the system. How does the RDC rental dispute process work? When you are unable to resolve a rental issue with the other party, you can escalate the matter to the RDC. Prior to claims being forwarded to First Instance Committees, they undergo evaluation by the Conciliation Department at the RDC. The RDC allows individuals to file an ‘Amicable Settlement’, wherein it helps the landlord and tenant reach a settlement that is satisfactory to both parties. This process is separate from litigation procedures, according to the RDC, but is still within a legal framework that guarantees the rights of all parties involved. In the event of a settlement, the conciliation is signed by the tenant, the landlord, and the conciliator, as well as a supervising judge, with the agreement enforced at the RDC. If the amicable settlement is inconclusive, either party may file a lawsuit, wherein they can attend a hearing thro