Can my employer make me pay my own visa costs?

No. Under Article 6(4) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employers are prohibited from charging employees — directly or indirectly — for recruitment, visa, entry permit, medical examination, or residency costs. Any clause requiring you to bear these costs may be legally unenforceable.

My contract says my next employer has to pay back my visa costs if I leave within 2 years. Is that legal?

This is one of the most common questionable clauses in UAE employment contracts. Employers try to disguise the visa cost transfer as a training cost or recruitment cost clause. UAE law prohibits transferring these costs to the employee in any form. Upload your contract and Sidqo can identify whether the specific wording crosses the legal line.

My landlord wants me to sign a tenancy contract with a clause that lets them terminate with 30 days notice. Is that normal?

No. Under Dubai's Law No. 26 of 2007, tenants have significant protections around eviction. Landlords must follow strict grounds and notice periods — 12 months written notice in most eviction scenarios. A 30-day termination clause by the landlord would likely conflict with these protections.

Is a non-compete clause in a UAE employment contract enforceable?

UAE courts have increasingly limited the enforcement of non-compete clauses that are overly broad in scope, geography, or duration. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, a non-compete restriction must be limited to what's genuinely necessary to protect the employer's legitimate interests. Upload your contract to understand what you're actually agreeing to.

Can my employer hold my passport?

No. Passport confiscation is illegal in the UAE and has been treated as a criminal offence. If an employer takes or retains your passport, you can file a complaint with MOHRE and, for criminal aspects, with the police.

Dubai Tenancy Law Guide

About to sign your first Dubai tenancy contract? Read this first.

Dubai's rental market is fast. Agents pressure you to decide quickly. "Another viewing is booked for this afternoon." You hand over post-dated cheques before you've really read what you've signed. That's the moment when some landlords — not all, but some — include clauses that are either questionable under UAE law or that significantly disadvantage you as a tenant.

Upload your tenancy contract → Sidqo will flag risky clauses

Your rights

You have more rights than you probably realise

Dubai's tenancy framework is more tenant-protective than many expats expect. The key legislation:

Law No. 26 of 2007 (amended 2008)

Core Dubai tenancy law covering tenant and landlord rights, notice periods, eviction grounds, and rent increases.

RERA's Rental Increase Calculator

Sets the legal maximum rent increase a landlord can apply at renewal, based on current market rates.

Ejari

The mandatory registration system for all Dubai tenancy contracts. An unregistered tenancy creates complications.

Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC)

Dubai's specialist tribunal for tenancy disputes — accessible without a lawyer for most cases.

Knowing these exist changes how you read your contract. Clauses that appear to override these protections often don't — but they can still cause delays and disputes while you fight them.

The clauses

7 clauses to check before you sign

Rent Increase Terms at Renewal

Your landlord cannot increase rent by whatever they want

Under the RERA Rental Increase Calculator (based on Decree No. 43 of 2013), rent increases at renewal are capped based on how your current rent compares to the market average for similar properties. If your rent is already at market rate, the landlord cannot increase it at all.

What to look for: Fixed annual increase clauses like 'rent shall increase by 5% annually' or language that purports to allow any increase the landlord determines.

Red flag wording: "Rent shall increase by [fixed %] annually" or any clause allowing the landlord to set rent increases at their discretion.

Maintenance Responsibility

Major repairs are the landlord's responsibility — not yours

Under Dubai tenancy law, landlords are responsible for maintaining the property in a condition fit for the agreed purpose. Minor maintenance (like changing lightbulbs) can be allocated to the tenant, but structural issues, major appliances, and anything affecting habitability are the landlord's responsibility.

What to look for: Clauses that make the tenant responsible for all maintenance 'regardless of cause' or that require the tenant to pay for repairs up to a high threshold.

Red flag wording: "The tenant shall be responsible for all maintenance and repair costs up to AED [high amount] per incident. The landlord shall not be liable for any maintenance arising from normal wear and use."

Security Deposit and Return Conditions

Your security deposit should come back — mostly

Security deposits in Dubai are typically 5% of annual rent for unfurnished properties, 10% for furnished. The landlord can make deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear — but 'wear and tear' is the operative phrase. Paint fading, minor scuffs, and carpet wear from normal use should not be grounds for deductions.

What to look for: How the contract defines what constitutes damage vs. wear and tear, the timeline for return of the deposit after vacation, and whether any deductions are described.

Red flag wording: Vague language like 'deposit shall be returned subject to the landlord's satisfaction with the condition of the property.'

Notice Period and Eviction Grounds

Your landlord cannot evict you with 30 days notice

A landlord can only evict you (non-renewal of the lease) under specific grounds and with 12 months written notice delivered via notary or registered mail. The grounds include: the landlord requires the property for personal use or a first-degree relative, the property is to be sold, or major renovation requires the property to be vacated.

What to look for: Any termination or eviction clause that grants the landlord rights to exit the tenancy with less than 12 months notice, or for vague reasons like 'operational requirements.'

Red flag wording: "The landlord may terminate this contract with 30 days written notice for any reason."

Tenant's Early Exit Penalty

You can leave early — but the penalties need to be proportionate

If you need to vacate before the end of the lease term, the landlord is entitled to be compensated for the loss of rent for the remaining period — but only if they can't re-let the property quickly. A clause imposing a fixed high penalty for early exit regardless of circumstances may be challengeable.

What to look for: Early exit penalty clauses and whether they're proportionate or a flat fee that benefits the landlord regardless of actual loss.

Number of Post-Dated Cheques

More cheques means more flexibility — and it's negotiable

Most Dubai landlords prefer 1–4 post-dated cheques for annual rent payment. The number isn't fixed by law, but it's negotiable. Accepting a single annual cheque upfront is standard for some landlords; demanding it exclusively can create cash flow difficulty for tenants.

What to look for: Whether the payment schedule is practical for you and whether alternative arrangements are acknowledged anywhere in the contract.

Ejari Registration Responsibility

Ejari registration is mandatory — make sure it's clear who does it

All Dubai tenancy contracts must be registered with Ejari. Without Ejari registration, you can't connect DEWA (utility services), can't get a residency visa linked to the property, and face complications in any dispute. The cost is around AED 220. Typically, it's the landlord's responsibility to register.

What to look for: Whether Ejari registration is addressed in the contract and who is responsible for completing and paying for it.

FAQ

Common questions

My landlord wants to increase rent by 15% at renewal. Is that legal?

It depends entirely on where your current rent sits relative to the RERA index for similar properties in your area. If your rent is already at or above the market benchmark, an increase may not be permitted at all. Use the RERA Rental Increase Calculator via the Dubai REST app to check your position before renewing.

The agent says the tenancy contract is a standard RERA form and I shouldn't need to change anything. Is that true?

RERA does have a standard contract template, but landlords and agents add riders and special conditions that are not standard. The standard form doesn't protect you from problematic addendums. Always read the full document including any attachments.

Can my landlord enter the property whenever they want?

No. Under Dubai tenancy law, landlords must give reasonable notice before accessing the property — except in genuine emergencies. A clause allowing unrestricted access at any time by the landlord would conflict with your right to peaceful enjoyment.

My agent is pressuring me to sign today or lose the apartment. Should I?

Pressure tactics are common in Dubai's rental market and are not a reason to skip reading your contract. You can take a photo of the contract and upload it to Sidqo immediately — a review takes minutes. Making a 12-month financial commitment without understanding it is a much bigger risk than potentially losing one apartment.

Who do I contact if my landlord isn't returning my deposit?

The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) in Dubai handles deposit disputes. Filing is straightforward and does not require a lawyer. Document everything — the condition of the property on handover, your communications with the landlord, and the original contract terms.

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Upload it to Sidqo. You'll get a plain-language breakdown of the key clauses, what they mean under Dubai tenancy law, and which ones — if any — you should push back on before signing.

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Sidqo provides AI-powered legal guidance based on UAE and Dubai law. For formal legal proceedings, consult a licensed UAE lawyer or approach the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre.