Eviction notice for "personal use", but landlord offered to renew. How to handle this legally?
Hi everyone,
Looking to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has experience with RDC cases.
A few months ago, my landlord served me a formal 12-month eviction notice citing "personal use" (eviction for himself/first-degree relatives). Fast forward to now: with the rental market cooling down, he (via his representative) reached out offering to renew the lease instead (I am sure they never intended to use it for themselves, just a negotiating tactic).
I am actually open to staying, but only if we agree on a significantly lower rent that reflects current market rates. However, I want to make sure I protect my legal rights according to Dubai Tenancy Law (Law No. 33 of 2008 / Article 26).
A couple of questions for the community:
If we don't agree on rent and I leave: Does his written offer to renew serve as solid proof of bad faith / false eviction at the RDC if he ends up re-listing/renting the apartment to a third party within the 2-year restriction period? Can they claim the rent I offered to pay is unreasonable (105k to 85k)?
If we do agree on a lower price: What is the best way to handle the contract addendum? Should I demand a clause stating the previous eviction notice is officially withdrawn to reset my RERA protections, or specify that this is a temporary extension without waiving Article 26 rights?
Communication: The negotiation is currently happening via WhatsApp with the landlord’s agent/representative (number not explicitly on the original Title Deed/Ejari). Does RDC accept these chats as valid evidence, or should I push for direct email confirmation from the owner?
Would love to hear how RDC handled similar disputes for you guys or any advice on how to structure the negotiation.
Thanks in advance!