Tenancy Contract Disputes: Arabic Ejari Evidence

The landlord increased the rent by 40%. The RERA index says the maximum allowed increase is 10%. You refuse to pay the difference. The landlord issues a notice to vacate. You decide to challenge it at the Rental Dispute Centre. The tenancy contract is in English. The RDC needs Arabic.

The Rental Dispute Centre handles thousands of landlord-tenant disputes in Dubai every year. As a division of Dubai Courts, it follows the same language requirement: Arabic. Every document in the case file — the contract, the correspondence, the payment receipts, the WhatsApp evidence — must be in Arabic.

What the RDC Requires

The Rental Dispute Centre processes cases through a defined documentation chain:

The Tenancy Contract

The core document. The RDC examines:

• The rent amount agreed between the parties
• The lease duration and renewal terms
• The security deposit clause
• The notice period for non-renewal
• Any maintenance obligations
• The penalty clause for early termination

If the contract is in English, the entire document must be translated. The RDC judge reads the Arabic version. If a clause is ambiguous, the Arabic text is what the judge interprets — the same principle that applies to employment contracts.

The Ejari Registration

The Ejari printout confirms that the tenancy contract was registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority. The printout shows the registered rent amount, the lease dates, and the property address.

If the Ejari printout is in English, translation may or may not be required depending on the RDC clerk’s assessment. Some clerks accept the English Ejari printout because it is a government system. Others request Arabic. Having the translation ready avoids the round-trip.

Correspondence

Landlord-tenant communications — emails, WhatsApp messages, SMS, printed letters — become evidence when they show:

• Rent increase notices and the tenant’s response
• Maintenance requests and the landlord’s (non-)response
• The eviction notice and its delivery method
• Negotiation attempts and their outcomes
• Any threats, harassment, or illegal actions by either party

Every piece of correspondence in English needs Arabic translation. WhatsApp messages should be printed as screenshots with dates and contact information visible, then translated.

Payment Receipts and Bank Statements

Rent payment receipts prove what was paid and when. If the dispute involves non-payment allegations, the bank statement showing rental transfers is critical evidence. Bank statements in English are accepted by most RDC clerks, but Arabic translation ensures no delays.

The RERA Rent Index

For rent increase disputes, the RERA rental index is the benchmark. The index shows the allowed rent increase percentage based on the current rent relative to the market average for the area.

The RERA index printout is available in Arabic and English through the DLD (Dubai Land Department) calculator. Submit the Arabic version to avoid translation. The index itself is not translated — it is a standardised government output.

Common Dispute Types

Excessive Rent Increase

The landlord demands a rent increase above what the RERA index allows. The tenant refuses. The landlord files for eviction. The tenant counter-files at the RDC.

Evidence needed in Arabic:

• The tenancy contract showing the current rent
• The RERA index showing the allowed increase
• The landlord’s rent increase notice
• The tenant’s response

Maintenance Disputes

The tenant reports a maintenance issue. The landlord does not respond. The tenant pays for repairs and deducts from rent. The landlord claims non-payment.

Evidence needed in Arabic:

• The maintenance clause in the tenancy contract
• Written maintenance requests (emails, WhatsApp)
• Receipts for the repairs paid by the tenant
• The security deposit clause terms

Eviction Without Legal Basis

The landlord wants the tenant to leave before the lease expires. Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 (as amended), eviction during a valid lease requires specific legal grounds.

Evidence needed in Arabic:

• The tenancy contract showing the lease term has not expired
• The eviction notice and its stated reason
• Evidence contradicting the stated reason (if applicable)

Unauthorised Deductions from Security Deposit

At lease end, the landlord deducts from the security deposit for alleged damages or outstanding payments. The tenant disputes the deductions.

Evidence needed in Arabic:

• The tenancy contract’s deposit and condition clauses
• The move-in condition report
• The move-out condition report
• Photographs and correspondence about the disputed deductions

Practical Steps

Before going to the RDC:

1. Gather every document related to the tenancy — contract, renewal, correspondence, receipts
2. Identify which documents are in English and need translation
3. WhatsApp the documents for same-day MOJ-certified translation
4. File the case at the RDC with the complete Arabic file
5. The RDC schedules a hearing within two to three weeks

The translation cost for a standard tenancy dispute — contract, a few pages of correspondence, and receipts — is a small fraction of the disputed amount. Not having the translations ready delays the filing and gives the opposing party more time to prepare.

Contact Channels

For MOJ-certified Arabic translation of tenancy contracts and rental dispute documents:

• WhatsApp: +971 50 862 0217
• iMessage: +971 50 862 0217
• Email: info@onlinetranslation.ae
• Phone: +971 50 862 0217
• Walk-in: Palm Jumeirah Mall, Dubai

Send the tenancy contract and dispute documents. We translate the complete file into Arabic with MOJ certification — typically the same day.