Individual evicted from a property over Dhs2.4m in accumulated rent arrears

The Rental Disputes Centre in Dubai has ordered a tenant to vacate a commercial property in Business Bay, despite the tenant’s subsequent attempt to remedy the default by offering to pay the outstanding rent.

The dispute arose from a commercial lease agreement valued at Dhs2.415 million. The tenant had failed to pay any rent from the start of the tenancy, leaving the full amount in arrears.

The landlord followed the prescribed legal procedures by serving the tenant with a formal notice requiring payment of the outstanding rent or vacation of the premises within 30 days of notification. The tenant did not settle the arrears within that statutory period.

During the proceedings, the tenant attempted to submit a tender and deposit certificate as evidence of a willingness to pay. However, the First Instance Committee found that this step had been taken after the statutory deadline and therefore did not prevent an eviction order.

In its reasoning, the Committee cited Law No. (26) of 2007, as amended by Law No. (33) of 2008, which governs landlord–tenant relations in Dubai. Under this legislation, a landlord may seek eviction if a tenant fails to pay rent within 30 days of receiving formal legal notice.

The Committee affirmed that the tenant’s failure to pay within that period entitled the landlord to demand that the property be vacated.