How to File a Rental Dispute in Dubai: The Complete 2026 Guide

What is the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre?

The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) is the official body under the Dubai Land Department that handles all residential and commercial rental disputes in Dubai. It was established under Law No. 26 of 2007 and operates independently of the regular court system for tenancy matters.

The RDSC handles disputes including: unpaid rent, illegal eviction, maintenance failures, deposit withholding, illegal rent increases, and early termination claims. It operates a two-stage process: mandatory conciliation, followed by a judicial committee hearing if conciliation fails.

What types of disputes can be filed at the RDSC?

• 01.Rent increase disputes: landlord charged more than the RERA cap permits.
• 02.Eviction disputes: illegal eviction notice, insufficient notice period, or eviction without proper grounds.
• 03.Security deposit disputes: landlord refuses to return deposit or makes unreasonable deductions.
• 04.Maintenance disputes: landlord fails to repair essential systems despite written notice.
• 05.Non-payment of rent: landlord files against tenant for unpaid rent.
• 06.Early termination: either party claims compensation for early lease exit.
• 07.Harassment or unlawful entry: landlord enters without notice or cuts utilities.

Filing fees

The RDSC charges a filing fee of 3.5% of the annual rent, subject to a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000. For a typical AED 100,000/year tenancy, the filing fee is AED 3,500.

Fees are paid at the time of filing and are non-refundable regardless of outcome. If you win, the committee can order the other party to reimburse your filing fee.

What documents to bring

Missing documents are the most common reason cases are delayed or dismissed at the conciliation stage.

• 01.Original tenancy contract (and any renewal addenda).
• 02.Ejari certificate (your registered tenancy number).
• 03.Emirates ID.
• 04.Proof of rent payments: bank transfer receipts, cheque stubs, or bank statements.
• 05.Written correspondence with the landlord: notices, emails, WhatsApp screenshots (print with timestamps visible).
• 06.RERA Rental Increase Calculator result (for rent increase disputes).
• 07.Photographs or inspection reports for deposit or maintenance disputes.

The process: step by step

1. 1File your case online at the DLD portal (dubailand.gov.ae) or in person at the RDSC office at the Dubai Land Department, Deira.
2. 2Pay the filing fee at the time of submission.
3. 3The RDSC schedules a mandatory conciliation session, typically within 7–14 days of filing.
4. 4Conciliation: a mediator meets with both parties and attempts a voluntary settlement. Reported 60–70% of cases resolve here.
5. 5If conciliation fails, the case is referred to a judicial committee for a formal hearing.
6. 6The judicial committee reviews evidence and issues a binding judgment. Timelines vary from 30 to 90 days depending on complexity.
7. 7Judgments are enforced through the Dubai Courts execution section if the losing party does not comply voluntarily.

How most cases actually resolve

The overwhelming majority of rent increase disputes resolve at conciliation once the RERA Rental Increase Calculator result is produced. Landlords who have charged above the cap typically agree to the corrected rate rather than risk an unfavourable judgment.

Deposit disputes are more contentious. Cases where the landlord has clear photographic evidence of damage favour the landlord; cases where the tenant has move-out documentation often split the deposit difference at conciliation.

Eviction disputes are serious and often proceed to the judicial committee. If the landlord's stated grounds for eviction are false (e.g., claiming personal use then reletting), tenants have a strong case for compensation.

File as early as possible. The RDSC process moves faster than the civil court system, but waiting until the last week before a claimed eviction date leaves you with fewer options.