Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has moved to allay fears that landlords will soon be able to evict tenants more easily under new rules.
In a statement published by state news agency WAM, it has affirmed that only in case of non-payment of rents can eviction be considered.
The announcement came in a media briefing organised by the ADJD on Monday to respond to queries on Article 11, Clause 4 of the ADJD chairman’s Decisions No. 25 of 2018 on the rental disputes committees and the procedures therein.
It said it wanted to dissipate concerns held by some tenants after recent media reports had purported that landlords in Abu Dhabi would “soon” be able to evict tenants “more easily” under ADJD’s new rules that went into effect last week.
Under the new rules, the lessor must first submit to the Dispute Settlement Committees an application to obtain the executive stamp, which he/she shall receive after ensuring the fulfillment of the conditions. The lessee shall receive an order to pay within a period of 21 days from the date of notification in respect of residential rents and 30 days from the date of notification for commercial and industrial units.
Adel Al Osheibi, director of the Enforcement Department, ADJD, told reporters: “Only if the tenant fails to pay the arrears during the said period, the execution proceedings shall be initiated against him/her. Should the tenant pay within the period specified, or before that, the execution shall be permanently withheld.”
The new rules are aimed to ensure safe procedures for both landlords and tenants, speed up dispute resolution, efficiently regulate tenant-landlord relationship and ultimately improve the emirate’s competitiveness for real estate investors, he said, adding that it is hoped the new rules will lead to a reduced number of rental disputes.
Follow us on
