Dubai’s Rental Disputes Center has ruled in favour of a tenant, ordering a landlord to pay Dh700,000 in damages after illegally evicting the tenant by manipulating legal procedures.
The compensation is three times the annual rent, reflecting the severity of the landlord’s misconduct.
The case involved a European tenant who had fully paid the annual rent for the 2023-2024 period to the original property owner. However, after the villa was sold to a new landlord, the latter falsely claimed non-payment and initiated eviction proceedings.
In an apparent attempt to block the tenant from defending himself, the landlord deliberately registered an incorrect email address with the Rental Disputes Center. This prevented the tenant from receiving legal notifications, leading to a default ruling in the landlord’s favour.
Tenant locked out
The landlord wasted no time in enforcing the ruling. He changed the villa’s locks, removed all furniture, and even sought travel bans and financial restrictions against the tenant. The tenant, who was on an annual vacation at the time, returned to find himself locked out of his home, completely unaware of the court case filed against him.
Upon discovering the situation, the tenant sought legal counsel and successfully proved the landlord’s deceptive actions. Following an investigation, the Rental Disputes Center overturned the eviction, reinstated the tenant’s rights, and annulled all enforcement measures.
Court ruling and compensation
Determined to recover damages, the tenant filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for financial losses, legal fees, hotel accommodation expenses, and emotional distress. After a thorough review, the Rental Disputes Center ruled in his favour, ordering the landlord to pay Dh700,000 in compensation.
Judge Abdul Qader Mousa Mohammed, Chairman of the Rental Disputes Center, reiterated the importance of protecting both landlords and tenants, warning that deceptive eviction practices could lead to severe legal and financial repercussions. He urged landlords to follow legal procedures correctly and tenants to document all transactions and communications for legal protection.
The Rental Disputes Center was established under Decree No. (26) of 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. It serves as a specialised judicial body for rental disputes, offering a swift resolution mechanism to ensure stability in Dubai’s real estate market.