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[xty]

Just to share you all in case you have the same case as mine. This is the result of action I took of my previous post.

Heres' the long story:

My apartment rent contract (first) is due by end of July. Few weeks ago I called the RE (real estate agent who managed my apt building) asking why they had not given the notice of contract extension. They said they would notice 2 weeks before the contract ended. And they slapped me with not negotiable 10%+ increment (65K to 72K).

I had doubt they would notify because in the contract (apparently standard template) there's a clause that the tenant would agree to pay whatever the rent rate applicable if there's no request after the contract finished and extended. So for sure they will never notify!

Knowing a little about the rent law where "if the new contract made on 2006, you're entitled for no rent increment in 2007 for the second contract. if you had increment in 2006 (not the first contract), max increment in 2007 is max 7%", I went to Rent Committee of Dubai Municipality (Deira office) for consultation before filing the case to them. They suggest me to obtain a proof that they increased the rent, for example by sending fax to RE to request the new contract with the same rate (first case). I did and obviously there's no reply from the RE.

I went out of the country for few weeks and few days ago back to Dubai and the next day I went to the RE to ask and collect the new contract (whatever the amount they ask which apparently increased again to 75K) for the proof. For sure I acted as if I would pay it and said I needed to consult with my company first for allowance etc. The proof was in my hand!

The next day, I surprised the RE by calling and asking why they increase by convincing them that I know well about the rent law. It looks like they surprised. I was called to come to their office for further discussion. Long in short, in their office I was 110% confident about the law, had the rights to do so, gave the impression to them that I dare to file the case to Rent Committee, and never wanted to negotiate even for a single fil.

In the end after they failed to negotiate many times, they had no choice to give me the new contract with the same rate (65K). Mission accomplished!

Good luck for you if you had the same case. Be confident and never let them win.

[arniegang]

you were lucky XTY, if i were your landlord you would have not got another contract and given you 2 weeks notice to find another appt.

I know it sounds harsh but that life mate

[fayz]

awesome job XTY, We were lucky, when ours came due, they didn't even ask for more money but you got to keep these slum lords in check, abiding by the law..... you know who you are arnie

[gtmash]

awesome job XTY, We were lucky, when ours came due, they didn't even ask for more money but you got to keep these slum lords in check, abiding by the law..... you know who you are arnie

We are not all as bad as Arnie.

[arniegang]

awesome job XTY, We were lucky, when ours came due, they didn't even ask for more money but you got to keep these slum lords in check, abiding by the law..... you know who you are arnie

[xty]

you were lucky XTY, if i were your landlord you would have not got another contract and given you 2 weeks notice to find another appt.
I know it sounds harsh but that life mate

Nope, there's no clause in my contract that they had the rights to kick me out in 2 weeks time (nor any clause to mention about notice period on both parties, except penalty of 45 days rent if I break the contract before due). In my mind, if they decided to kick me out when negotiating, that would be even better. Another proof for the court. (is there any law to protect the tenants being kicked out if we behave well and not breaking the contract?)

By the way, I had not got to meet the landlord, only the RE agent. They sure needed the money and I doubt they discussed it with the landlord/building owner. According to their story, all the landlord want is to collect sum of millions dirhams every year (don't care about the details and tenants), except maybe if we rent directly from owner (as in highrise/freehold apts).