Wrongly evicted? Dubai law lets you claim money, reinstatement, or both. Follow the rules below to prove the breach, file at the Rental Disputes Centre, and secure fair compensation—often equal to 12-24 months’ rent.

What Changed

Dubai amended Article 25 of the Tenancy Law in 2008, giving tenants the right to claim damages if a landlord evicts for “personal use” or sale but re-rents within two years (Law No. 33 of 2008, replacing Law 26 of 2007). In 2013, Decree No. 26 set up the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) as the court handling such claims. Recent RDC rulings have awarded up to AED700,000 in damages to tenants.

Who’s Affected

  • Expats on any residency visa—employment, investor, golden, or dependents—renting Dubai properties.

  • Subtenants: may sue the main tenant if both are evicted unlawfully.

  • Long-term holiday-home occupants registered on Ejari count as tenants, too.

  • GCC nationals and UAE citizens follow the same process but face lower filing fees at RDC.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 – Check the Notice

  1. Confirm you received a 12-month eviction notice via notary or registered mail.

  2. Verify the stated reason (personal use, sale, demolition).

Step 2 – Gather Proof

  1. Save Ejari certificates, rent receipts, and the eviction notice.

  2. Monitor the property post-eviction; screenshots of new listings show re-rental within two years.

Step 3 – File Pre-Conciliation

  1. Visit RDC’s Smart Centre or use the Dubai Rest app.

  2. Pay the AED95 conciliation fee and submit documents.

Step 4 – Submit the Claim

  1. If talks fail, escalate to the First-Instance Committee.

  2. Pay 3.5% of claimed amount (min AED500, max AED20,000).

Step 5 – Attend Hearings

  1. Present evidence; request expert inspection if needed.

  2. Cite Article 25(2) breach and claim up to two years’ rent plus costs.

Step 6 – Enforce Judgment

  1. On a favorable verdict, apply for execution; RDC can freeze accounts or attach property.

  2. Collect the awarded sum or regain access.

FAQs

Q1: How long do I have to file?
You must claim within two years of learning the landlord re-let the unit.

Q2: Can I claim hotel costs?
Yes. RDC commonly adds relocation, storage, and hotel bills to the award.

Q3: What if the landlord didn’t re-rent after selling?
If the buyer re-lets inside two years, you can still sue the original landlord for compensation.

How We Can Help

Sara Advocates creates RDC pleadings, compiles evidentiary files, and defends you in court and in enforcement. Over AED 10 million has been recovered for foreign tenants by our bilingual staff. Get a case evaluation from us in as little as 24 hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Unlawful eviction claims rely on Article 25(2) and Decree 26.

  • Proof of re-rental within two years unlocks damages up to two-years’ rent.

  • RDC offers fast, low-cost online filing for expats.

  • Keep notices, Ejari, and rent receipts safe.

  • Legal counsel maximises your payout and speeds enforcement.

Ready to claim what’s yours? Book a 15-minute consultation with Sara Advocates today.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Court outcomes vary.