Leasing and Tenancy Law
The framework
Tenancies in Dubai are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007 on the relationship between landlords and tenants, as amended, together with RERA's rental index and the Ejari registration system. Ejari registration is mandatory: an unregistered lease is hard to enforce and blocks related services and dispute procedures.
Key rules
Rent may not be increased during the term unless the contract allows it, and not before one year has passed since the start of the tenancy or the last increase. Any increase must fall within the band shown by the RERA index for a comparable unit, and the tenant must receive at least 90 days' notice before renewal. Eviction during the term is permitted only on limited statutory grounds, and the notice must be given in the prescribed form - through the notary or registered mail - with the required period: generally 90 days, and 12 months where the landlord intends to sell or to demolish and redevelop. The security deposit is refundable, less documented deductions. Sub-letting requires the landlord's written consent. Disputes go to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre.
Traps
Assuming a landlord may evict at will; assuming notice may be given orally; assuming a deposit is non-refundable; assuming a rent increase is lawful because the tenant agreed verbally to it. Note also that a notice to vacate and a notice of rent increase are different instruments with different rules and different notice periods.
Rule of thumb
For any rent-increase question, check three things: a full year since the last increase or the start of the tenancy, a new rent within the RERA index band, and 90 days' notice before renewal. Miss any one and the increase is challengeable.