Dubai Rental Dispute: How to File at the RDC, Step by Step
Taking your landlord or tenant to the Rental Disputes Centre? Most deposit claims cannot be appealed, so you may get one chance. Here are the steps, fees and documents.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
If you cannot settle a rental dispute in Dubai directly, you can file a case with the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC), but for most deposit claims you get only one chance. Lawyers told Gulf News that RDC judgments on claims under AED 100,000 are final, so every document must be ready on day one.
Before you file a Dubai rental dispute
Step 1: Try to settle it directly, in writing
Awatif Al Khouri, Senior Emirati Advocate and Founder of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates and Legal Consultancy, said the parties may first try to settle it themselves, keeping written records.
Some claims need a formal notice first. For example, a landlord may need to give a tenant 30 days to pay outstanding rent, and certain eviction cases require at least 12 months' notice through a Notary Public or registered mail.
Step 2: Prepare every document before you file
Ahmed Elnaggar, CEO of Elnaggar & Partners, said a common mistake is assuming you can appeal later. Under Article 17(a) of Decree No. 26 of 2013, an RDC judgment on a claim under AED 100,000 is final, and almost all residential deposit claims fall below that figure.
His checklist for a deposit case:
- Tenancy contract
- Proof of the deposit, or relevant bank statements
- Signed handover form or key return confirmation
- Move-in and move-out inspection photos or reports
- Final DEWA and cooling clearance receipts
Add supporting correspondence, notices or cheques, and proof of notice in eviction cases.
Translate everything. The RDC works in Arabic. English documents, including leases, WhatsApp messages, emails and contractor invoices, must be translated by a Ministry of Justice certified legal translator, or the evidence may be delayed or dismissed.
Know your deposit rights. Elnaggar said minor scuffs, paint fading and natural wear are the landlord's cost; tenants are liable only for direct damage, unauthorised changes or neglect. Our guide Dubai Security Deposit Rules: When Landlords Must Issue Full Refunds has more.
Filing at the RDC: fees and options
Step 3: File the case and pay the fee
You can file online on the RDC website or at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. Online, you create an account, enter the details, upload documents and pay. Hearings can be attended by tele-litigation, and an amicable settlement stage comes first.
| Claim type | RDC fee |
|---|---|
| Eviction, lease renewal or termination | 3.5 per cent of annual rent, minimum AED 500, maximum AED 20,000 |
| Monetary claims | 3.5 per cent of the amount claimed, maximum AED 15,000 |
Other service fees may apply. A fast-track Payment Order only works if the landlord has acknowledged the exact debt in writing and raises no dispute over damage. Otherwise, file a standard First Instance case.
During and after the case
Step 4: Keep paying rent while the case runs
Filing does not suspend your duty to pay rent, said Ahmed Khalil, legal associate at BSA LAW. Withholding it risks an arrears claim and possibly eviction.
For a disputed increase, check the DLD Rental Index and whether notice came at least 90 days before expiry. Object in writing and keep paying the undisputed rent, using the RDC's "Offer and Deposit" procedure if the landlord refuses it. See Dubai Smart Rental Index: How to Check if Your Rent Increase Is Legal.
Step 5: Judgment, appeal and enforcement
The framework provides for a decision within 30 days of referral, with possible extensions. In practice, Khalil said, judgments often come within 1 or 2 hearings, though expert referrals take longer.
Where an appeal is allowed, the deadline is generally 15 days. If the losing side does not comply, the winner can open an execution file, with further enforcement requests generally possible 7 days after notification.
Key takeaway
Treat your first RDC filing as your only chance, because claims under AED 100,000 cannot be appealed. Gather and translate every document and keep paying rent.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file a rental dispute in Dubai?
Eviction, renewal and termination claims cost 3.5 per cent of annual rent (AED 500 to AED 20,000). Monetary claims cost 3.5 per cent of the amount claimed, up to AED 15,000, plus other fees.
Can I appeal an RDC decision?
Not for claims under AED 100,000, which are final. Where an appeal is available, the deadline is generally 15 days.
How long does an RDC case take?
The framework provides for a decision within 30 days of referral, with possible extensions. Expert referrals, appeals and enforcement add time.
Do I need to translate my documents?
Yes. The RDC operates in Arabic, so English documents must be translated by a Ministry of Justice certified legal translator.
Further reading
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