Renting a property in Dubai offers a world of opportunity, but disputes can sometimes arise. The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC) by Dubai Land Department is the dedicated authority to tackle rental issues between tenants and landlords. Let’s find out more about the RDC and its services.
RDC – The Official Rental System in Dubai
The RDC is the official integrated judicial system for fair and efficient resolution of rental disputes. It was established in 2013 and aims to become the global judicial benchmark for tackling rental and jointly owned property disputes. Moreover, Mollak system allows the registration of the jointly-owned properties in Dubai.
Let’s take a look at the services by RDC in Dubai.
Please note that the process of applying for any of the services below is straightforward. All you need to do is head over to the RDC’s official website, search for the relevant service and apply for it.
Register Dispute Lawsuit for Amicable Settlement
RDC allows stakeholders to file a dispute lawsuit for amicable settlement.
Required Documents:
Copies of the following documents are required:
- Latest Ejari lease contract.
- Emirates ID for individuals or company manager’s/owner’s Emirates ID and commercial license.
- Bank letter or statement with IBAN.
- For eviction claims, notarised notice with notification officer’s report or registered post details.
- Supporting documents (e.g., power of attorney, bills, cheques).
Service Fees:
- Eviction/Lease Cases: AED 500 – AED 20,000 (3.5% of annual rent or lease value).
- Money Claims: AED 500 – AED 15,000 (3.5% of claimed amount).
- Additional Fees:
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
Register First Instance Lawsuits
Initiates legal action for various disputes.
Types:
- Rental disputes between tenant and landlord.
- Ownership claims over jointly owned properties.
Required Documents:
- Latest Ejari lease contract.
- Emirates ID for individuals or company manager’s/owner’s Emirates ID and commercial license.
- Bank letter or statement with IBAN.
- Notarised notice and supporting documents (e.g., power of attorney, bills).
Service Fees:
The service fees for registering a first instance lawsuit with RDC is as follows:
Rental Disputes:
- AED 500 – AED 20,000 (3.5% of annual rent or lease value for rental dispute settlement).
- AED 500 – AED 15,000 (3.5% of claimed amount for money claims).
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Ownership Claims:
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25.
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Register a Writ of Certiorari Lawsuit
For judicial review, can be applied 30 days after judgment.
Required Documents:
- Explanatory memo or plaint.
- Supporting documents (e.g., power of attorney, bills).
Service Fees:
- Registration of power of attorney: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Writ of Certiorari deposit: AED 500.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Register a Substantial Enforcement Dispute
If you have to register lawsuits for dishonoured cheques, you need to follow these requirements:
Required Documents:
- Latest Ejari registration of the rental contract.
- Emirates ID for individual or company manager’s Emirates ID and commercial license.
- Bank letter or statement with IBAN.
- Supporting documents (e.g., power of attorney, bills, cheques).
Service Fees:
- Dispute lodging: AED 5000
- Process fee: AED 100
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable)
- Knowledge fee: AED 10
- Innovation fee: AED 10
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Contestations
Allows appeals against judgments from Execution Judges, Provisional and Summary Actions Judge or First Instance Committee.
Required Documents:
- Document of appeal plaint.
- Supporting documents (e.g., correspondence, bills).
Service Fees:
- For financial claims: Half of the awarded amount against the Appellee in the First Instance Committee’s judgment (refundable).
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Execution Services
The execution services allow enforcing court judgments.
Register an Execution Proceeding (Rental):
Enforces adjudicated claims related to rentals.
Required Documents:
- Stamped enforcement writ.
- Receipt of appeal security deposit (if applicable).
- Offer and deposit motion receipt for lease renewal.
- Bank letter or statement with IBAN.
Service Fees:
- Maximum AED 5000 (1% of annual lease amount for eviction).
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
- AED 20 per request generated electronically.
Register an Execution Proceeding (Jointly Owned Properties):
Enforces claims associated with jointly owned properties.
Required Documents:
- Enforcement writ with Mollak System notification.
- Bank letter or statement with IBAN.
Service Fees:
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
- AED 20 per request generated electronically.
File an Execution (Cheques):
Recover amounts due from dishonoured cheques.
Required Documents:
- Latest lease contract (Ejari).
- Emirates ID (individual) or manager’s Emirates ID and commercial license.
- Bank letter or statement with IBAN.
- Dishonoured cheque copy.
- Return memo of bank-issued cheque.
Service Fees:
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
- AED 20 per request generated electronically.
File an Injunction from a Third Party:
Allows third-party injunction filing.
Required Documents:
- Plaint of injunction from a third party.
- Emirates ID (individual) or manager’s Emirates ID and commercial license.
- Supporting documents (e.g., power of attorney, bills).
Service Fees:
- AED 20 per request generated electronically.
Provisional and Summary Orders
The services falling under Provisional and Summary Orders section are:
Register a Grievance:
Submit grievances within eight days of the decision issuance.
Required Documents:
- Decision copy against the complainant.
- Grievance motion plaint.
Service Fees:
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Register a Petition Order:
Request immediate orders from the Provisional and Urgent Affairs Judge.
Required Documents:
- Latest lease contract (Ejari).
- Emirates ID (individual) or manager’s Emirates ID and commercial license.
- Indemnity guarantee for exit ban request.
- Valid passport with residence visa (for expatriates) and Emirates ID.
- Proof of debt (e.g., dishonoured cheques).
Service Fees:
- Petition Order Request: AED 20.
- Inspection request: 2.5% of annual rent.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Register a Writ of Payment:
Petition for the settlement of due amounts.
Required Documents
- Latest lease contract (Ejari) with Arabic translation.
- Proof of domicile of debtor.
- Emirates ID (individual) or manager’s Emirates ID and commercial license.
- Bank letter or statement with IBAN.
- Debt documentation and proof of notice.
Service Fees:
- AED 500 – AED 15,000 (3.5% of claimed amount).
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable).
- Process fee: AED 100.
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Register an Offer and Deposit:
File an offer and deposit motion to protect leasehold rights.
Required Documents:
- Motion letter with proof of deposit.
- Lease contract (Ejari) with Arabic translation.
Service Fees:
- AED 500 – AED 20,000 (based on rent value).
- Knowledge fee: AED 10.
- Innovation fee: AED 10.
- Real Estate Service Partner’s fee: AED 130 + VAT.
Additional Services
The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre offers several miscellaneous services, such as issuing rental good conduct certificates.
RENTAL GOOD CONDUCT CERTIFICATE
It is a document that shows your ability to pay rent on time, otherwise known as a good housekeeping membership certificate. The rental good conduct certificate helps when you rent another house.
SMART JUDGE
The RDC uses a ‘Smart Judge’ system to help resolve disputes. The Smart Judge is a computer program that can help to identify the key issues in a case and suggest possible solutions.
TRACK YOUR CASE
This service by Rental Dispute Settlement Centre allows you to track the progress of your case online through the RDC website.
FAQs
For inquiries or further information, you can contact RDC in Dubai at +971 800 4488.
The complete address of RDC office in Dubai is:
– Dubai Land Department, Baniyas Road, Deira, Dubai, UAE.
The working hours of Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai are from Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and on Friday from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm.
Besides, Customer Service is available through phone, email and chat from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday).
With this, we conclude the services of Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai. The Rental Dispute and Settlement Centre is the judicial arm for regulating rental disputes in the emirate.
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