RERA Decree 26 of 2007 and 43 of 2013: Dubai Tenant Law in Plain English

1. Law 26 of 2007 — the tenant-landlord constitution

Law No. 26 sets out the mutual obligations of landlord and tenant, the grounds for eviction, notice periods, deposit handling, and dispute resolution. It applies to every residential and commercial tenancy in Dubai.

2. Article 15 — the landlord's core obligations

• Deliver the unit in good condition suitable for the agreed use.
• Carry out maintenance and repairs needed to keep the unit in that condition throughout the tenancy.
• Not disturb the tenant's use of the unit during the term.

3. Article 19 — the tenant's core obligations

• Pay rent on the agreed dates.
• Use the unit only for the agreed purpose.
• Do not alter or modify the unit without written permission.
• Maintain the unit and return it in the same condition (fair wear excepted).

4. Article 25 — the only grounds for eviction

Article 25 is the one every tenant should memorise. A landlord can only evict a tenant on the specific grounds it lists, and each ground carries a specific process.

• During the term — non-payment of rent, unauthorised subletting, illegal use, damage to the unit, or the government issuing a demolition order.
• At renewal — landlord genuinely wants the unit for personal use (with 12 months' written notice by notary/registered mail).
• At renewal — landlord genuinely wants to sell the unit (12 months' notice via notary).
• At renewal — the unit needs major reconstruction that requires vacancy (12 months' notice, plus municipality approval).

5. Article 26 — deposit rules

The security deposit belongs to the tenant. The landlord holds it as security for damage, unpaid rent, or unpaid utilities. At move-out, the landlord must return it (net of any documented deductions) within a reasonable time — RDSC treats 30 days as the practical benchmark.

6. Decree 43 of 2013 — the rent cap decree

Decree No. 43 of 2013, issued by HH Sheikh Mohammed, sets the maximum rent increase a landlord can apply at renewal, tied to how far below the RERA rent index the current rent sits.

• Within 10% of the average → no increase allowed.
• 11%–20% below average → maximum 5%.
• 21%–30% below average → maximum 10%.
• 31%–40% below average → maximum 15%.
• More than 40% below average → maximum 20%.

7. How to use both together in a real dispute

Every RDSC filing cites the specific article number. Learn to reference them: '90-day notice' → Article 14, 'illegal rent increase' → Decree 43, 'landlord failing to maintain' → Article 15, 'landlord evicting for personal use without proper notice' → Article 25(2). Citing the article makes your case land.

8. How TowerDesk builds the law into the workflow

TowerDesk buildings run renewals, notices, and dispute records against Law 26 and Decree 43 by default — the calculator result, the 12-month notice clock, and the deposit hold are all enforced by the system. Illegal notices don't leave the platform.