Rental Dispute Center Dubai: How to File a Case
The Rental Dispute Center is the judicial arm of the Dubai Land Department and decides every landlord-tenant dispute in Dubai: non-payment, eviction, illegal increases, deposits and maintenance. You file online through the RDC portal, the DLD channels or a trustee centre, pay a fee of 3.5 percent of the annual rent (minimum AED 500, capped at AED 20,000), and submit your evidence in Arabic. A first hearing is usually scheduled within one to two weeks.
- Judicial arm of the DLD
- Filing fee 3.5% of annual rent
- Documents must be in Arabic
- First hearing in 1 to 2 weeks
What the RDC handles
The Rental Dispute Center hears the cases that Law 26 of 2007 and Law 33 of 2008 leave to it: rent not paid, eviction, an increase above the Decree 43 cap, a deposit not returned, and maintenance a landlord refused to carry out. It is a court, so the decision is binding, and appeals are possible within set limits.
How to file, step by step
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare | Gather the contract, Ejari, payments, notices and evidence. |
| 2. Translate | Get an official Arabic translation of anything in English. |
| 3. File | Submit online on the RDC portal, via DLD, or at a trustee centre. |
| 4. Pay | Pay 3.5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 500, capped at AED 20,000. |
| 5. Attend | Attend the first hearing, usually within one to two weeks. |
Documents you need
- The signed tenancy contract and Ejari certificate
- Proof of rent payment and any bounced cheques
- Every notice served or received, with dates
- Photos, inspection records and correspondence
- Arabic translations of all English documents
The Arabic rule that catches people out
Every document you rely on must be in Arabic. English contracts, notices and messages need an official legal translation before filing, or the committee will not consider them. This is the single most common reason a self-filed case stalls.
Prefer help with the file?
Build your evidence list with the Dispute Evidence Checklist, or have the pack assembled and translated with our dispute document prep.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a rental dispute in Dubai?
At the Rental Dispute Center, online through the RDC portal, via the DLD channels, or at a trustee centre.
How much does it cost to file?
3.5 percent of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a cap of AED 20,000.
Do documents have to be in Arabic?
Yes. Every document you rely on must be submitted in Arabic, so English documents need an official translation first.
How long until a hearing?
A first hearing is usually scheduled within one to two weeks of a complete filing.
Is the RDC decision binding?
Yes. The RDC is a court within the DLD, and its decisions are binding, with limited appeal rights.
Official reference: Dubai Land Department.
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and cases differ, so consult a licensed lawyer for your situation.
Related
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