When it comes to renting a property in Dubai, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) has set strict laws. These laws regulate the relationship between the landlord and the tenant. It outlines each party’s role and responsibilities.
This minimises disputes and misunderstandings. If you want to know more about RERA Dubai and its laws regarding leasing in the Emirates, keep reading.
- About RERA Dubai
- RERA Law in Dubai
- Services of RERA Dubai
- The Role of RERA Dubai in Case of Rental Dispute
- Landlord’s Responsibilities According to RERA
- Tenant Obligations According to RERA
- Initiatives of RERA Dubai
- RERA Forms – Dubai
- Contact Details of RERA Dubai
- FAQs
About RERA Dubai
RERA stands for the Real Estate Regulatory Authority. It was established in 2007 to safeguard home buyers’ interests and encourage investment in the real estate sector.
This authority is an important intermediary for property buyers and developers, aiming to minimise the real estate market’s uncertainties.
Through RERA, buyers can access comprehensive project information and verify project documents. In addition, they can enjoy a level of protection and transparency that was not readily available.
Moreover, The RERA Act of 2007 has been adopted across various states to ensure a regulated and transparent real estate industry.
RERA Law in Dubai
The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in Dubai has regulations to protect the integrity of the real estate industry.
Central to these rules is the mandate under Article 4 of Law (33) of 2008. It dictates that all tenancy contracts initiated by either party must be duly registered with RERA using the ‘Ejari’ system.
This essential step ensures that each property unit is independently leased. It helps avoid potential disputes from dual leasing situations and protects the rights of all parties involved.
Services of RERA Dubai
RERA Dubai provides various services to businesses, landlords, and tenants. These key services of RERA Dubai are:
1. Jointly Owned Property Services
- Approval of service fees and utilisation fees application
- Registration of Owners Association Application
- Request for approval for issuing no objection letter to close the project escrow account
- Request to appoint a financial auditor with specific responsibilities and tasks
- Request for the approval of appointing an audit office to conduct an audit of the budget for the services allowance or the usage allowance of a joint property
2. Title Deed Services
- Real Estate Valuation Application
- Grant Registration Application
- Heirs Ownership Registration Application
- Title transfer application
- Amendment of real estate details application
3. Real Estate Development Services
- Registration of real estate project application
- Settlements Application
- Request for Termination of Initial Registration
- Application for Project profit withdrawal
- Request to complete the initial procedures data
4. Real Estate Licencing Services
Following are some of the major real estate licencing services of RERA Dubai:
- Application for real estate licensing
- Real estate professional practice card application cancellation
- Renewal of real estate professional practice card application
- Real estate professional practice card application issuance
- Application for real estate permit
5. Information Services
Following are some of the major information services of RERA Dubai:
- Real estate services inquiry
- Real estate project status inquiry
- Certificate of Title / Title Deed Verification
- Real estate licence and permit verification
- Land Department evaluation certificate verification
The Role of RERA Dubai in Case of Rental Dispute
RERA plays a vital role in solving the rental dispute in Dubai. Rental disputes happen when the landlord and tenant disobey RERA and Dubai Tenancy law.
- Violating RERA Law for Eviction. There’s a notice period for eviction and specific cases where eviction is allowed. So, disputes arise when any of the parties don’t commit.
- Terminating the Tenancy Contract. Whether you’re a landlord or tenant, RERA has rules for ending leasing agreements. If you don’t stick to it, the other party can escalate it to the Rental Dispute Centre.
- In consideration of RERA Rental Increase Rules and Laws. An unreasonable rent increase is among the most common factors for disputes in Dubai.
- Registering and regulating real estate brokers, developers, and development projects, overseeing the sale and purchase of properties.
- Resolving disputes among parties in the real estate market.
Landlord’s Responsibilities According to RERA
As a landlord, there are some responsibilities that you should stick to according to RERA regulations and rules in Dubai.
Here are the most important ones that you should be aware of:
- You must hand over the property in good condition, which allows the tenant full use as stated in the contract.
- According to Article 16, the landlord will be responsible for the property’s maintenance and repairs during the contract term.
- Article 17 states that the landlord may not make any changes to the property that would affect the tenant’s full use of it as intended.
- The landlord will be responsible for any property damage that isn’t attributable to the tenant’s fault.
Tenant Obligations According to RERA
There are some responsibilities you should stick to while renting in Dubai. Besides, knowing your rights before signing the tenancy is super important.
- Article 19 requires tenants to seek the landlord’s permission and get necessary licences from official entities before any property renovations.
- According to RERA rules, the tenant must pay the security deposit at the start of the contract, which is refundable.
- If the landlord fails to refund the deposit, the tenant can approach the rent dispute committee to resolve the matter.
- Upon vacating the property, tenants are expected to return it in the same condition as received. That doesn’t include ordinary wear and tear or damage beyond their control.
- According to Article 21, any disputes between tenants and landlords can be escalated to the dispute committee for resolution.
Initiatives of RERA Dubai
In addition, lately, RERA has worked on different initiatives to ensure the market is monitored and developed.
1. Dubai Broker App
The Dubai Broker app is a smart platform mandated by RERA. It allows real estate agents, brokers, and owners to register their properties online. The app classifies them based on performance, achievements, citizenship, and specialisations.
2. Smart Judge Service
The Smart Judge service provides legal education for rental contract parties in Dubai. It enables them to file judicial cases and offer virtual judgments. It also provides free legal consultancy on Dubai rental businesses.
3. Dubai Rest App
DLD offers a comprehensive real estate solution with the Dubai REST application on Android and iOS. It provides project updates, real estate transactions, and a RERA Calculator. It also includes information on Dubai’s certified brokers and real estate offices.
4. Ejari
Ejari, meaning ‘My Rent,’ is RERA’s Dubai initiative regulating rental agreements. It checks landlord and property history, regulates lease contracts, and creates laws for beneficial landlord-tenant relationships.
The features align with RERA rules, requiring strict action for discrepancies. Moreover, the Ejari online platform provides a RERA Dubai rental calculator for estimating the rent index.
5. Smart Investment Map (SIM)
The Smart Investment Map (SIM) is a digital portal for searching and purchasing properties in Dubai. It offers e-services for property selection, communication with owners, and online transactions.
RERA Forms – Dubai
To ensure the transparency of real estate transactions in Dubai, the authority has introduced the following RERA forms:
- FORM A
Agreement between the listing agent and seller
- FORM B
Agreement between a property buyer and agent
- FORM F
Agreement between a property buyer and seller
- FORM I
Agreement between two agents
- FORM U
To terminate an agreement (Form A/ Form B) with agents
Contact Details of RERA Dubai
RERA Dubai’s contact details are mentioned as follows:
- Location: Baniyas Rd, near Etisalat Tower 1, Deira, Riggat Al Buteen, Dubai, UAE
- Contact Number: +971 8 00 4488
- Working Hours: 7:30 am to 2:30 pm (Monday to Thursday) and Friday: 7:30 am to 12:00 pm
- Email: info@dubailand.gov.ae
- Website: https://dubailand.gov.ae/
FAQs
Let’s say a dispute arises, and the landlord and tenant cannot reach an agreement. In that case, they can to file a complaint case at the Rent Disputes Centre (RDC) at Dubai Land Department.
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) includes the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) as a regulatory arm. Moreover, RERA focuses on supervising the operations of real estate developers, brokers, and other professionals within Dubai. This ensures all activities comply with the city’s real estate laws and regulations.
To find out the percentage increase in your rental value, visit the Dubai Land Department’s official website. Click on e-services and select the rental increase calculator. Then, enter the Ejari contract data to find out the rental increase.
This guide to RERA Dubai provides you with all the valuable insights of this governmental authority. Moreover, stay tuned to learn about UAE’s governmental departments and services on Property Finder’s Blog.
