Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Accommodation in Dubai

I hope someone can help:

I have been in my apartment for nearly 2 years in the marina (since Oct 2006). When I moved in I paid market rate for the year.

Last year, and as per the rental laws, the landlord could not increase the rent so we agreed to renew again.

The renewal period is nearly due again and my landlord is keen to renew with me again. There is however an issue - the landlord has requested that we increase as per the rent cap, but he has also stated that as I am staying in his apartment I should pay the maintenance fee and the chiller for the year.

He has previously paid this and its stated in the contract that he pays it.
In my opinion he owns the apartment and these are his running costs.

I am going to the rent committee this week to ask what my rights are - does anyone have any opinions on this or any thoughts?

Is there anything I should specifically ask the rent committee?
Thanks

How much the extra would you pay?
Just pay if it's worth the money than to move out (again you'll pay for commission, deposit, and all the hassles).
You're lucky that you get only 5% increase.

In my case, the landlord/agent doesn't want to renew and ask me to leave without notice as per law (min 90 days). I could've gone to Rent Committee, but noone gives guarantee how long the process will take (some says weeks even months). My current contract ends this July and I'm going for vacation by that time. I had no choice than to relocate ASAP. Currently looking for one.

The extra he wants me to pay is 15K Aed plus the 5% - I say go **** yourself Mr Landlord and I'll see you in the rent committee.

I'm surprised at your comments - why give in so easily?

Supposed I open the case. First, no one knows how long it will take. Second, I could get court hearing schedule when I'll be on vacation to home country (end of July till mid of August). The case could be closed if I couldn't attend the hearing at court. When coming back from vacation, I would have no place to stay.

And I can't postpone/cancel this vacation because I have very very important things to do in home country.

And paying a lawyer is no option. Why spending 10-20K for lawyer plus all the hassles for avoiding increase of few thousands? Maybe it would be "cheaper" just to move out to new apt even with "new tenant" rate. I just do the math and compare the hassles.

I have no choice.

If there's no vacation plan (and important things to do), for sure I would have opened the case.

XPClone stand your ground, he's not legally allowed to make you pay for expenses he should be incurring - ie building maintenance rates, etc. Easy case for rent comittee.

the courts are closed till sept, so dont' worry about that. and the courts give you 3 chances to make the "hearing" i'm going thru this right now with a greedy landlord and since he's missed 3 meetings, they said once they are back from holiday they'll make a judgement.

just an fyi

I sent a nice polite email to my landlord stating that I will not be accepting these payments and will only increase in line with the rent cap.

It took over a week for him to reply and he basically said - lets have a friendly chat in Sept (when he was coming back to Dubai to renew with me) and we can discuss it then so it is a win win for both of us?????

The guy lives in Iran and does not have a clue!
Any suggestions - should I reply back or just wait till he arrives in Sept and reconfirm the NO to him?

I would firmly keep all lines of communication via a documentable process - ie. emails, faxes, letters (if u must) and the like. Nothing over the phone, or a 'friendly chat' but if you must then make sure you send an email to confirm what was discussed / events occured to keep a record of it.