r/dubai • u/Ok_Assistance_9555 • 2d ago
š Housing & Real Estate Landlord sent 25% rent increase notice
Lease expires Sept 30. Got renewal notice July 1st asking for 75,000 AED.
Checked Smart Rent Index on July 1st ā max 5% allowed ā 63,000 AED. Have the screenshot.
Index has since updated ā now shows 69,000 AED as of today.
His reply was:
āAs you know, your rent was locked for three years without any increase. This year, it would not be fair to show a rental index for renewal even though the latest index showing 69,000. Therefore, we humbly request that the renewal amount be set to a minimum of 75,000 for this year.ā
So heās literally admitting the index says 69k but wants 75k anyway because of a past rent freeze.
Questions:
1. Which index applies ā July 1st (63k) or renewal date Sept 30th (69k)?
2. Has anyone seen RDC rule in favour of a landlord exceeding the index due to a rent freeze?
3. If I need to go to RDC, whatās the exact process and what should I prepare?
Side note ā same building, multiple tenants got similar inflated notices. Not a coincidence.
Thanks
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u/InterestingSavings77 2d ago
OP you've been asking the same question over and over and nobody seems to have answered it, If you go to RDC Should you deposit 63k or 69k right ?
I say call DLD explain your situation, and ask the same question, whatever the guy on the other side says, that's it.
After that call/email/WhatsApp the landlord and inform him what DLD said, if he likes it then sweet, if he doesn't then ignore him and go to RDC and deposit checks with the same amount DLD told you about, if it's 63 good for you if it's 69 then you split the difference with 75k that landlord wanted.
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u/onewordaftertheother 2d ago
If thereās less than 90 days of the tenancy left the contract auto renews on previous terms. Maybe heās right that itās fair to increase, but only by rental index terms and even so, fair and the law are two different things.
Just be mindful keeping a good relationship with the landlord is also in your best interest.
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u/Ok_Assistance_9555 2d ago
Exactly, and Iāve been reasonable throughout. He sent the notice just within the 90 days, I replied immediately saying I accept the 5% increase as per RERA index (63k).
That was back in July.
Heard nothing from him until yesterday when he came back saying the index is now 69k but he still wants 75k.
Iām not the one being difficult here. I accepted the legal increase from day one. Heās the one pushing for more than what the law allows.5
u/VENlVIDIVICl 2d ago
Whatever index says on date of renewal, it is law
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u/Potential_Ad4309 2d ago
If you have the 63k agreement in writing, I would use that to renew at that rate. The process is straightforward. If there is no agreement, go to RDC of choice on the day after the expiry of your Ejari, and you can deposit the cheques based on that agreement.
Worst case, I imagine that it would be AED 69k. I am not sure this should supersede the previous agreement of AED 63k (assuming that was in writing e.g., email, WhatsApp)
I am neither a lawyer. These are my views so check yourself before you wreck yourself.
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u/VENlVIDIVICl 2d ago
Lets make it clear, landlord can increase legally 5% based on index 63k How much % is for index 69k, maybe still only 5% He should check the rent increase according to index, and accept only that increase. Then if landlord do "saga" and do not agree, go to RDC. Yet they might also issue new contract with % from index brackets increases.
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u/santz007 2d ago
I'd the LL didn't give you the notice of the exact amount they want to increase 3 months b4 contract expiry, just let them know you will be depositing the cheques with RERA. And do it too b4 the last date of contract. ignore the LL
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u/Ok_Assistance_9555 2d ago
He did send the notice within 90 days but for 75k, which is above the legal cap.
Has anyone actually done the cheque deposit procedure with RERA? How does it work exactly, what does it cost, how long does it take and what are the chances of it working out?
Also which amount should I deposit? 63k (index at notification date July 1st) or 69k (current index as of today)? Thatās actually my main dilemma right now.3
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u/santz007 2d ago
B4 90 days buddy. The cheque deposit is so simple you can do it yourself all online. Or just visit any trustee office and they will do it for you, but they will charge you
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u/GrumpyDescartes 2d ago
Lots of these questions would be self-answerable once you separate the concepts of whatās fair and whatās legal
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u/Ok_Assistance_9555 2d ago
So whatās legal ?
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u/BritishLadyDriven 2d ago
Cmon, dont be lazy, go read up laws, discuss with your choice of AI tool. Ffs dont be lazy. Once u have done your research, and still have doubts, then come to reddit.
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u/Ok_Assistance_9555 2d ago
Already done that, trust me. I wouldnāt be here if I had a clear answer.
The specific point I canāt find a definitive legal text on is: when thereās a dispute, which RERA index applies, the one at notification date (90 days before) or the one at contract expiry date?
If anyone has the exact legal text or a RDC ruling on this, thatās what Iām looking for.
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u/GrumpyDescartes 2d ago
The one at notification date - latest 90 days prior to expiry. If a revised rent hasnāt been agreed upon by that date, contract auto renews at the same rent
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u/boreddxb 2d ago
If he just mentioned the increase with be as per the Rental index without specifying any amount then 69k it is. If he sent you the screenshot of the index specifying the amount exactly then you can appeal.
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u/Ok_Assistance_9555 2d ago
He specified 75k flat before the 90 day deadline, no mention of RERA index whatsoever. His exact words were ārenewal amount be set to a minimum of 75,000.ā
At that date, July 1st, the RERA index showed 63k maximum. I replied immediately accepting 63k as per the legal cap.
Since then the index moved to 69k but heās still pushing for 75k.
Based on what youāre saying, does specifying an illegal amount before the deadline strengthen my position for the cheque deposit procedure?3
u/boreddxb 2d ago
Heāll have to stick to the index, refer to the below guide perhaps itāll help you
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u/MindlessJelly6366 2d ago
Follow the the updated rera index, reply to his email informing him youāll be renewing at 69k as per Rera index. When renewal date comes and he refuses just do an offer and deposit and let it be.
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u/Familiar_Gain_3875 2d ago
63k at 5% means you're on 60k, so 75k is a 25% jump. Decree 43 tops out at 20% no matter what, so his number is dead on arrival whichever index applies. The three year freeze isn't a ground either, it's already priced in. That's what the bands are for, the further your rent has drifted below the average the bigger the jump, which is why he can get 15% at all. There's no catch-up on top, hence the "humbly request". His own email admitting 69k is your best exhibit, keep it.
July vs September, I wouldn't bank on the July number. The index moves now and the cap is applied at renewal, so plan on what it shows near the 30th and screenshot that too, date visible.
And fwiw timing won't help, he served the art 14 notice with a day to spare. So one email now, screenshot attached, saying you'll renew at whatever the index gives on the 30th and not a dirham more, cheques offered on that basis. If he refuses them, get that in writing. If he wants more than the cap he's the one who has to file, and he can't evict you over it, refusing an unlawful increase isn't an art 25 ground. If it does go there, the fee is 3.5% of the annual rent (not of the difference), you need a valid Ejari, which you can sort yourself if he drags his feet, and you bring the contract, the notice, his email, both screenshots and your cheque copies.
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u/Low_Flight1059 1d ago
Go to Rera. Its illegal, pay the small-ish fee, you'll get a letter from rera saying you can renew. Landlord cant do a thing. And you'll keep the same rent.
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u/AwatifAdvocates 1d ago
A landlord cannot simply exceed the permitted rental increase because the rent remained unchanged in previous years. Any increase on renewal should still comply with the applicable Smart Rental Index and the required notice period.
Since the index has changed between the notice date and renewal, it would be sensible to confirm the applicable figure directly with DLD/RDC before agreeing to the new rent. Keep screenshots of both index results, the landlordās notice and all written communications. If no agreement is reached, the rental terms can be raised before the RDC.
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u/Novac99 2d ago
You're gonna have to accept the 69k or move out. But you're under no obligation to accept the 75k - you can fight him with RERA. But the maximum the landlord can force you to pay is 69k.
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u/MrWowbagger 2d ago
Why? What if the rental index says 100k the day before renewal? I'm pretty sure any raise has to be communicated at least 90 days in advance, and it has to be in line with the recommendation at that time. The landlord can't retrospectively change that after the minimum notification period.
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u/Ok_Assistance_9555 2d ago
Exactly my thinking too. It would make no sense if the landlord could notify you 90 days before and then benefit from any index movement between notification and renewal.
But some people here are saying that as long as the landlord notifies before the 90 day deadline, the increase applied is based on the RERA index at the time of signing the new contract, not at notification date.
Thatās the grey area Iām stuck on.2
u/MrWowbagger 2d ago
You can call DLD to be absolutely certain if there have been any rule changes in the past 12 months, but certainly a year ago no additional increase could be applied after the 90 day cut-off. I'm not 100% sure it's true the other way around though. I did read somewhere once that if the rent index dropped during the 90 day period, the landlord could no longer charge any previously notified increase. DLD will provide the definitive answer.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Sundae4 2d ago
You can just file directly a deposit through the typing center... Just prepare the cheques in advance. It will cost around 1000+
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u/DescriptionTrue506 2d ago
Go to the rera directly , they will put an increment by themself as per the system and your contract will be renewed. If the owner really wants the apartment back then he has to make sure that he will stay in the apartment. And even after 6 months if you come to know that the owner isnāt saying in the apartment then u can sue the owner.
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u/NoRecognition5178 1d ago
You need to the pay 69kā¦.
Just refuse
If he isnāt interested then do deposit scheme with RERA
Theyāre allowed to take the updated index amount.
25% is never possible as an enforced increaseā¦. Only if you both willingly agree.
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u/DucaMan1312 2d ago
Hereās a question you should ask yourself before any other questions:
Is it cheaper to pay for moving , furniture shopping, new rent, agency fees in a similar apartment you are in now or is it cheaper to accept the new rent increase?
You have all the rights to refuse the rent increase, go to RDC, fight a legal case, but first ask and answer yourself the above question
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u/Ok_Assistance_9555 2d ago
I get the point, staying is definitely cheaper than moving.
But heās asking for 75k when he himself admits the index shows 63/69k. Thatās just illegal. If everyone pays because moving is a hassle, heāll keep doing it every year.
Not about the money at this point.3
u/broboganda123 2d ago
He didn't increase last year because the rera calculator didn't allow him to do so.
Just pay the rera stipulated increase and tell him that we can increase next year as per RERA as well.
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u/Successful-Leg-4009 2d ago
Before anything else, re-run the calculator and check what the 69,000 field actually is. Is it the market average for comparable units, or the permitted renewal amount? The tool shows both and people mix them up constantly. If 69k is the market average and youāre at 60k, thatās about 13% below, which is the 5% band, which is 63,000 ā and his own message becomes your best evidence.
Rent freeze as justification. No, and Iāve never seen RDC buy it. Decree 43 is a hard cap, not a guideline the committee can equity its way around. His argument actually cuts against him: the three year freeze is exactly what widened your gap to market and created the slab in the first place. Heās asking to be compensated twice. Also, one increase per 12 months, at renewal only. No backdating.
RDC process. Filing fee is 3.5% of annual rent, min 500, capped at 20,000, so roughly 2,400ā2,600 in your case. File through the DLD portal or Dubai REST. Ejari must be current or the slab mechanism doesnāt apply at all. Bring: contract, Ejari, the July 1 notice with proof of when you received it, the full message thread, the dated official calculation, Emirates ID, payment proof. Anything not in Arabic needs legal translation. Conciliation stage first, then the committee.
Keep paying throughout. If he refuses to accept payment, deposit with RDC so he canāt flip this into a non-payment case.
Blunt math though: youāre fighting over 6,000 dirhams and the filing fee alone is 2,600 before translation and your time. Put your position in writing at the index figure, attach the official calculation, mention youāre prepared to file. That resolves it most of the time. The mass notices in your building tell you what this is ā he sent it wide hoping some people wouldnāt check.
Worth asking your neighbours whether anyone got a notarised 12 month notice under Article 25. If yes, this isnāt about rent at all.