COMMON FIRST INSTANCE CLAIMS

What Type of Rental Dispute Do You Need to File?

First Instance cases can involve different claims and remedies. Select the situation that best matches your dispute, and we’ll review the details before proceeding.

01

LANDLORD CASES

Common First Instance Cases for Landlords

Common cases where landlords may need to file a First Instance case before Dubai’s Rental Disputes Center to recover the property, enforce tenancy obligations, or resolve a disputed tenancy matter.

01

Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent

Where the tenant has failed to pay rent and the landlord seeks eviction together with any amounts that may properly be claimed in the same case.

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02

Eviction for Sale of the Property

Where the landlord seeks recovery of the property for sale after completing the required legal procedure.

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03

Eviction for Personal Use

Where the landlord seeks recovery of the property for personal use or another legally permitted qualifying use.

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04

Eviction for Subleasing

Where the property has been subleased or assigned in circumstances that give the landlord grounds to seek eviction.

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05

Eviction for Contract Breach

Where the tenant has breached tenancy obligations and the circumstances may provide grounds for eviction under the applicable rental laws.

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06

Tenancy Renewal with Rent Increase

Where the landlord seeks renewal of the tenancy with an applicable rent increase or in accordance with an agreed contractual term, and the parties cannot agree on the renewal terms.

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02

TENANT CASES

Common First Instance Cases for Tenants

Common cases where tenants may need to file a First Instance case to renew a tenancy, terminate a tenancy, seek compensation, or resolve a dispute with the landlord.

01

Tenancy Renewal

Where the tenant seeks renewal of the tenancy and the parties cannot agree on the renewal or its applicable terms.

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02

Early Termination — Landlord Breach

Where the tenant seeks termination because the landlord has failed to fulfil material tenancy obligations, such as necessary maintenance affecting the use of the property.

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03

Early Termination — Contractual Right

Where the tenancy agreement provides the tenant with a right to terminate early and a dispute arises regarding that right or its conditions.

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04

Compensation Claim

Where the tenant seeks compensation arising from the landlord’s actions, including circumstances involving reletting after an eviction for sale or personal use, subject to the applicable law and facts of the case.

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THE PROCESS

How Your First Instance Case Works

From initial case assessment to RDC registration and follow-up, here’s how we support you through each stage.

01 — CASE ASSESSMENT

Share Your Case

Tell us about your rental dispute and provide the available case details and documents. We review the information to identify the filing requirements and documents needed.

02 — PREPARE & REVIEW

Prepare Your Application

We organize the required documents and prepare the application details and supporting information for your review before registration.

03 — REGISTER & FOLLOW UP

Register & Follow Up

After your confirmation, we assist with registering the case through the applicable RDC system and support you with procedural follow-up, case updates and subsequent document requirements.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

What You’ll Need

The documents required depend on the type of First Instance case. Prepare the information below and we’ll confirm the documents required for your case before registration.

Tenancy & Property Documents

Tenancy contract or Ejari, property details, and other documents establishing the tenancy and relevant lease period.

Party & Authority Documents

Identification documents for the parties, and a Power of Attorney or other authority documents where someone is acting on behalf of a party.

Case-Specific Evidence

Legal notices, payment records, cheques, correspondence, maintenance records, handover documents, photographs, reports, or other evidence relevant to the claim.

Please wait for our team to confirm the appropriate channel before sharing identification or confidential case documents. Never share your UAE Pass password, PIN or OTP.

COMMON QUESTIONS

First Instance Case Questions, Answered

Find answers about First Instance case preparation, required documents, RDC registration, hearings and procedural follow-up.

How much does a First Instance case service cost?

Our professional fee is quoted case by case after reviewing the type of dispute, claim details, documents and work required. Government and other applicable fees are confirmed separately before proceeding.

No. RentFlow provides typing, document preparation, registration and procedural support services. We do not provide legal advice or legal representation. If you require legal advice or representation, you should consult a qualified lawyer.

Requirements depend on the type of case. Common documents may include the tenancy contract or Ejari, identification and authority documents, legal notices, payment records, correspondence and other evidence relevant to the dispute. We confirm the required documents after reviewing your case.

After registration, the case is reviewed by an RDC official. If additional documents, information or amendments are required, the applicant will receive a notification stating that the case has been rejected. At this stage, “rejected” means that additional requirements or amendments need to be completed before the application can proceed. We will assist with the required procedural updates and resubmission.

If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a notification to pay the applicable court fees. We will provide the court fee voucher and payment link. Once the fees are paid, the system will schedule the hearing, and we will provide the case details, including the hearing date and the link to attend the hearing.

The appropriate procedure depends on the nature of the dispute and the relief being sought. Start with a case assessment and we can review the information and explain the available procedural service options.

Where legal advice is required, you should consult a qualified lawyer.

RDC hearings are generally conducted remotely. Once the hearing is scheduled, we will provide you with the hearing date, case details and the available link or instructions for attending the hearing. You should join on time and keep your identification and relevant case documents available.

During the hearing, the parties may be asked to confirm their identities and present their requests, responses and supporting documents. The tribunal may ask questions, request additional documents or submissions, adjourn the matter to another hearing, or proceed according to the circumstances of the case.

RentFlow can assist with procedural follow-up, document preparation and submission support, but we do not provide legal advice or represent you during the hearing.

If you require advice on what to say, how to argue your case or how to respond to the other party, you should consult a qualified lawyer.

If the First Instance judgment is issued in your favor, the judgment may be subject to the applicable appeal period. Once the applicable challenge period has expired and the judgment becomes enforceable, you may proceed with opening a Judgment Enforcement case to enforce the judgment.

RentFlow can assist with typing, document preparation, Judgment Enforcement registration and procedural follow-up within the scope of our services.

If a First Instance judgment is issued against you, the procedure available to challenge the judgment depends on the type of claim and the judgment issued.

For eviction, tenancy renewal and other judgments that are eligible for appeal, an Appeal may be filed within 15 days, calculated from the day following notification of the judgment.

For a financial claim, the right to appeal is subject to the applicable claim-value threshold. Where the financial claim does not qualify for an Appeal, a Reconsideration Case may be available if the case meets one of the applicable grounds for reconsideration. A Reconsideration Case is referred back to the same committee to reconsider the judgment.

RentFlow can assist with typing, document preparation and registration of the appropriate procedural application.

If you require advice on whether you have legal grounds to challenge the judgment or how to argue your case, you should consult a qualified lawyer.

The appeal period is generally 15 days, calculated from the day following the relevant notification of the First Instance judgment, subject to the applicable RDC procedural rules and the circumstances of the case.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR CASE?

Not sure how to proceed with your rental dispute?

Tell us what happened and share the available case details. We’ll review the information and help you identify the appropriate procedural service before you proceed.

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Takes less than 2 minutes