‘My Tenant is Refusing to Pay Higher Rent'

Question: I am a landlord in Dubai, with a tenant living in my apartment for the past three years. I requested for a change in the number of cheques and an increase in rent this year because the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) index has not been updated for that area in the past three years. Rents have increased by more than by 30 per cent in this community. However, the tenant is neither ready to move out nor agreeing to pay the rent by one cheque, as requested. Can you advise me on what can I do?

Response : For any changes to a rental contract, a landlord or tenant has to communicate this to the other party, giving 90 days’ notice.

When it comes to rent increases, the RERA calculator states what increases are allowed. This is the only figure that can be used for the rent increase. As long as the above has been adhered to, you have every right to request the one cheque payment from your tenant.

If the tenant still does not agree with the single cheque payment, you will have no alternative but to file a case against him/her at the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee (RDSC).

However, a judge from the RDSC will decide if the changes you are seeking are reasonable.

So, for example, if the tenant was paying the rent in four or six cheques, but when asked to pay in one cheque during renewal may not seem reasonable by the judge. As long as what you are asking is reasonable, it should be okay.