Rental dispute in Dubai: how to file at the RDC, fees and documents

Disagreements between landlords and tenants in Dubai go to the Rental Disputes Center (RDC) of the Dubai Land Department. A case starts as a dispute lawsuit for amicable settlement: a conciliator tries to reach an agreement before the matter goes to judgment. If you settle, the agreement is signed by both parties and the conciliator, approved by a supervising judge, and can be enforced at the RDC.

The fees

If conciliation ends in a settlement, half of the fee paid for the basic claim is refunded.

Example: a tenant paying AED 80,000 a year files a lease renewal case online. 3.5% of 80,000 is AED 2,800, which is within the AED 500–20,000 range. With AED 100 for process service and AED 20 for the knowledge and innovation fees, the total is AED 2,920. At a trustee centre, AED 130 + VAT is added. Work out your own case with the rental dispute fee calculator.

Documents

1. A copy of the latest lease registered in Ejari.
2. Emirates ID for individuals; for companies, the trade licence and the photo ID of the manager or owner.
3. A bank letter or statement showing the claimant’s IBAN.
4. For an eviction claim: the notarised notice with the notification officer’s report, or the registered-post notice with the acknowledgement receipt.
5. Anything that supports the claim: power of attorney, management contract, letters and notices, electricity and water bills, cheques.

All documents must be in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic, and uploaded on the RDC website. Paper copies are not accepted.

How to file

Online

1. Create an account on the RDC website and choose the service.
2. Enter the lease details, the parties and your requests, and upload the documents.
3. Pay the fee once the electronic case is checked.
4. Attend the conciliation session remotely.
5. Sign the settlement, or withdraw the claim, through the website.

At a Real Estate Services Trustee centre

Staff check your documents, enter the case and take the fee; the conciliation session and the signing are then done remotely in the same way. The RDC gives one working day to complete the registration. You can pay by card, through Noqodi, or in cash at a centre.

Rules worth knowing before you file

• Changing the lease: unless agreed otherwise, the party who wants to change any term, including the rent, must notify the other at least 90 days before the lease ends. See how much the rent can rise with our rent increase calculator.
• Automatic renewal: if the lease ends and the tenant stays without objection from the landlord, it renews on the same terms for the same period or one year, whichever is shorter.
• A sale does not end your lease: the tenant’s rights stay the same if the property changes owner.
• Building facilities: the landlord cannot stop a tenant from using the parking, gym, pool or health club that come with the property; the RDC hears such complaints.
• WhatsApp and email: messages can be relied on as evidence if both parties acknowledge them in the case record.

After the judgment

• Appeal: within 15 days of a judgment given in your presence, or of being notified of one given in your absence. An appeal on a money claim alone needs a claim of AED 100,000 or more; an eviction can be appealed whatever the amount. The appellant deposits 50% of the amount awarded, which is refundable.
• Enforcement: an execution file can be opened 15 days after the judgment or its notification. The enforcement fee for an eviction is 1% of the annual rent, up to AED 5,000.

Registering a new lease? See how Ejari registration works, and the other guides in rights for UAE residents.

Checked against the Rental Disputes Center service page and FAQ on 5 October 2026. Fees can change; the amount is confirmed when the case is registered. General information, not legal advice. See our editorial policy.