Everything You Need to Know About Tenancy Contracts in Abu Dhabi

If you’re planning to rent a property in the capital or you’re a landlord looking to lease out a property, then you’ll need to know about tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi. 

Rental agreements need to be registered with Tawtheeq Abu Dhabi to ensure transparency and safeguard the rights of both landlords and tenants.

This article will provide you with comprehensive guidance on everything you need to know about tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi. 

• Tenancy Contract in Dubai
• Tawtheeq Abu Dhabi
• Services That Can Be Applied to Tenancy Contracts
• The Role of Property Management Companies
• How to Enjoy Tenancy Contract Services Through Dari

Tenancy Contracts in Abu Dhabi in Nutshell

Through this guide, we’ll share the six essential services related to tenancy contracts that you should know about in Abu Dhabi. This includes:

• Registration
• Modification
• Renewal 
• Cancellation
• Closure
• Termination by court order.

Additionally, the article explains how to relish these services through the DARI website which is a government platform designed to simplify tenancy-related procedures. 

Moreover, this will bring you a full and clear understanding of the tenancy laws in Abu Dhabi and how to ensure that your tenancy contract is legally binding.

1. What Is a Tenancy Contract in Abu Dhabi?

A tenancy contract is a legal document signed by the property owner and tenant over. Its whole purpose is to safeguard your rights and obligations, whether you’re a tenant or a landlord. 

Typically, the tenancy contract should have the following details: 

1. Lease duration
2. Rent amount
3. Payment method
4. Maintenance responsibilities
5. Conditions for termination. 

Furthermore, property owners and management companies have to register any tenancy contract with Tawtheeq in accordance with local laws.

2. What Is Tawtheeq Abu Dhabi?

It’s a system whereby the government regulates tenancy contracts for renting properties in Abu Dhabi. 

A Tawtheeq contract ensures transparency and provides a robust framework to safeguard the rights of you and the other party; this is through keeping a record of all contracts and data related to the leased property in one place. 

In addition, the process of completing Tawtheeq contracts is uncomplicated and follows a standard procedure before being stored securely in a digital repository.

3. What Are the Services That Can Be Applied to Tenancy Contracts in Abu Dhabi?

Six essential services can be applied to tenancy agreements in Abu Dhabi.

1. Registration

It all starts with registration! Once the landlord and the tenant sign a tenancy contract, it should be registered on DARI to make it official. 

All tenancy contracts must be registered with the Abu Dhabi Municipality to ensure they are legally binding. This is a mandatory requirement under Abu Dhabi’s tenancy laws. 

However, in some exceptions, where the tenancy contract involves business rules, the contracts may require the Municipality’s approval before being registered.

2. Modification 

This service is good when you have any edits or amendments to your contract. A tenancy agreement can be modified as long as both parties agree to the change in terms and continue to comply with Abu Dhabi’s tenancy laws. 

In addition, landlords and property management companies must give tenants at least two months’ notice for any amendments they wish to make.  

It’s also important to know that the tenancy contract can only be modified within one week from the date of signing.

3. Renewal 

A tenancy contract can be renewed within 90 days of its expiry. In case of renewal, the contract must have the same period as the previous contract; this means if it’s a one-year-long contract, then the renewal will be for one year too.

Moreover, legal professionals can also provide you with services related to the renewal or termination of tenancy contracts, such as: 

• Negotiating new terms 
• Drafting notices of termination. 

4. Cancellation

You cannot just rip up and cancel a tenancy contract in Abu Dhabi. Under Abu Dhabi tenancy laws, a tenancy contract isn’t terminated automatically; however, it can be cancelled when it expires, providing sufficient notice. 

If not, it renews on the same terms unless you or the landlord agree to change the terms or end it. 

In addition, here are some tips you should consider to avoid any disputes:

• If the landlord wants to evict you or increase the rent, they must give you 90 days’ notice before the end of the contract
• In case you want to move out of the property, you must give the landlord 90 days’ notice. 
• There are certain circumstances under which a landlord can serve a notice for eviction on the expiry of the tenancy contract, including:
  • Damage to the property
  • Fail to maintain the property
  • The urge to sell the property.

5. Closure

This service is in case the tenant has moved out of the property but didn’t cancel their tenancy contract; the landlord can close the contract after 30 days from the expiry date without needing the tenant’s approval.

6. Termination by Court Order

In certain circumstances, if you’re a landlord, you can issue a court order to terminate the tenancy agreement and evict the tenant. 

This is through filing a case with the Rent Dispute Settlement Committee for prolonged periods of non-payment of rent; consequently, the committee will review the case and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant a court order for termination. 

Other common reasons for seeking a court order is like a breach of the agreement, such as: 

• Subletting the property without an agreement
• Illegal activities on the premises.

You should know all your rights before seeking early termination for contracts in Abu Dhabi to avoid any inconvenience.

4. What Do Property Management Companies Do?

Several companies in the capital offer property management services. Landlords who don’t have the time or the inclination to look after the tenant and the property themselves may consider asking a property management company (PMC) to do it.

The PMC will carry out various duties, including

• Maintaining the property
• Collecting rent from tenants
• Handling complaints and inquiries
• Managing its finances. 

With this service, as a landlord, you will sign a Property Management Agreement (PMA) with a PMC to outline the terms and conditions in addition to the fee.

5. How Can You Enjoy These Services Through DARI?

When it comes to carrying out tenancy services through DARI’s website or mobile app, the workflow is seamless.

All you have to do is:

• Log in to your DARI account
• Access the Services page (screenshot below)
• Then, select the desired service on that page and follow the workflow.

It’s super easy and direct, so you will get your service done in minutes! You got an overview of tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi and the services you can enjoy whatever your demand. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference between Ejari and a Tenancy Contract?

In case you’re confused about the difference between a tenancy contract and Ejari in Dubai, let’s clear that up for you. 

First off, a tenancy contract is a legally binding document that outlines the terms of the rental arrangement, such as rent amount and lease duration. Both the landlord and the tenant sign it.  

Meanwhile, Ejari is simply an online registration system that records all tenancy contracts in a government database. It is implemented by Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).

Bio

Dari is Abu Dhabi’s trusted digital ecosystem for real estate. Backed by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and developed by Advanced Real Estate Services (ADRES), Dari provides a one-stop solution for all real estate requirements in Abu Dhabi. Dari re-engineered the existing system and introduced new services to offer real estate personas an effortless experience in handling any real estate matters. Dari provides an integrated platform that connects all real estate stakeholders.

It incorporates property sale, purchase, and lease on the same system, includes a directory that provides access to licensed real estate professionals, and builds a real estate dashboard for the public for the first time to help investors explore future investment opportunities in the real estate market in Abu Dhabi. Dari supports the Abu Dhabi government’s vision of enhancing the quality of life in the emirate. It also aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for investors, supporting Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

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