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A New Victory for Ibrahim.N. Partners Before the Rental Disputes Center

Ibrahim .N. Partners has achieved an unprecedented victory in an unlawful eviction case before the Rental Disputes Center. This case serves as a strong message to landlords attempting to circumvent the law and infringe on tenants’ rights, reaffirming that justice remains capable of maintaining balance between the rights of disputing parties.

Case Facts

The case revolves around our client, a woman in her thirties, who was residing in a luxurious two-bedroom apartment spanning over 120 square meters in one of Dubai’s most sought-after tourist areas. The prime location made the property highly desirable to the landlord, who, in pursuit of additional profits, attempted to exploit legal loopholes for personal gain.

The landlord issued an eviction notice, citing an intention to use the apartment for personal purposes, claiming that this justified terminating the lease agreement. Acting in good faith, our client complied with the notice and vacated the property without fully considering the financial and emotional consequences of this decision.

Financial & Psychological Impacts

Following the eviction, our client was forced to search for alternative accommodation. Due to rising rental costs in Dubai, she could only secure a smaller one-bedroom unit at a higher rent.

The sudden change caused her significant emotional distress, as she had to part with valuable furniture due to limited space, negatively affecting her comfort and quality of life. Additionally, she incurred extra costs in purchasing new furniture suited for the smaller apartment, further increasing her financial burden.

Moreover, she had to make frequent trips to her home country to visit her mother, whom she could no longer accommodate due to space constraints. This impacted her family bonds and emotional well-being.

Legal Procedures & Judicial Position

Given the landlord’s violations and disregard for lease agreements and legal procedures, our firm took immediate legal action to defend our client’s rights. A lawsuit was filed before the Rental Disputes Center, where all relevant evidence and documents were presented to prove the landlord’s bad faith and his attempt to exploit the property for personal gain.

During the proceedings, the landlord attempted to mislead the court by claiming that he owned multiple properties in Dubai and that the apartment in question was leased to a company managing his real estate affairs. However, the submitted evidence exposed inconsistencies in his statements, and the court confirmed that his true intention was to profit by renting the property to tourists on Airbnb for short-term stays. This directly violated legal provisions governing evictions for personal use.

The court acknowledged the landlord’s bad faith and ordered him to pay AED 100,000 in compensation. Initially, our client had claimed AED 50,000 for material damages and AED 100,000 for moral damages, bringing the total claim to AED 150,000. After the landlord appealed, the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal and upheld the initial judgment, reaffirming the judiciary’s strict stance against attempts to manipulate the legal system.

Legal Analysis

This case highlights the importance of adhering to contracts and respecting tenants’ legal rights. It is not merely an individual dispute but a message to all stakeholders in the real estate market about the necessity of compliance with laws ensuring fairness and balance in landlord-tenant relationships.

From a social perspective, unlawful actions can drastically affect individuals’ lives, leading to financial strain, emotional distress, and disruptions to their lifestyle. The triumph of justice in this case serves as a powerful encouragement for tenants to assert their rights and seek legal recourse when faced with unlawful eviction.

Conclusion

This judicial victory reflects the strength of the legal system in the UAE and its ability to protect the rights of citizens and residents. It serves as a valuable lesson for landlords attempting to manipulate the system or unlawfully exploit real estate for personal gain.

Moreover, this case underscores the importance of legal awareness among tenants and landlords to ensure justice and transparency in all real estate transactions. This is not just a legal triumph—it is a win for justice and human rights. Many hope that this case will prompt the implementation of stricter legal measures against any attempts to manipulate the law at the expense of tenants’ rights.

Need Legal Assistance?

If you need more information about this case or legal consultation regarding your rights in rental and real estate matters, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to provide expert legal support and guidance.

📞 Contact Us:

Mohamed Abdelrehiem

Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution
📱 M: +(971) 529874451
✉️ Email: [email protected]

Youssef Diab

Junior Associate, Dispute Resolution
📱 M: +20 01062222773

✉️ Email: [email protected]