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Filing a case at Dubai's Rental Disputes Centre
File at the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) through rdc.gov.ae or a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. Eviction, renewal and termination cases cost 3.5% of annual rent (minimum AED 500, maximum AED 20,000). Monetary claims cost 3.5% of the claim (AED 500 to 15,000), plus AED 10 knowledge, AED 10 innovation and AED 100 process-service fees.
Sources checked 20 Oct 2026 · official sources first · Sources
“Most disputes settle once you file. Keep every message, every receipt and the Ejari number.”
Filing a case at Dubai's Rental Disputes Centre
File at the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) through rdc.gov.ae or a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
Step by step
- Try to settle directly and keep written records.
- Serve any notice the claim needs (e.g. a notarised or registered-mail eviction notice, or a notice to pay).
- Optionally file an amicable-settlement request first. Half the basic fee is refunded if you settle.
- Register on the RDC portal (or visit a Trustee Centre), choose the case type and upload documents in Arabic or with a legal Arabic translation. Hard copies are not accepted.
- Pay the fees.
- Attend hearings through the tele-litigation system.
- Receive the judgment on the website; open an execution file if the other side does not comply.
What it costs
| Item | AED | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eviction / renewal / rent claim / termination / return after demolition | 3.5% of annual rent, min 500, max 20,000 | source |
| Monetary claims | 3.5% of claim, min 500, max 15,000 | source |
| Power of attorney registration | 25 | source |
| Process service | 100 | source |
| Knowledge fee | 10 | source |
| Innovation fee | 10 | source |
| Trustee Centre partner fee | 130 + VAT | source |
| Amicable settlement: refund on settlement | half the basic fee | source |
| Fast Track process-service notification (amicable settlement) | 105 | source |
Documents you need
- Latest Ejari lease (translated)
- Emirates ID, or trade licence plus manager's ID for companies
- Bank letter showing IBAN
- Eviction cases: notarised notice with officer's report or registered-post receipt
- Renewal cases: Offer and Deposit receipt, if any
- Management contract or POA; inheritance certificate if the lessor has died
- Evidence: correspondence, notices, cheques, utility bills
How long it takes: Registration: 1 business day (RDC) or about 10 minutes, with completion in 8 business days (DLD first-instance page). Amicable settlement: 7 business days. Gulf News (secondary) says judgments often come within one or two hearings, in under a month, and appeals are generally due within 15 days.
The numbers behind Dubai renting: 480,371 residential Ejari leases started in Dubai between 1 Jan and 15 Oct 2026: 187,978 new market leases (39%) and 286,377 renewals (60%). Source: Dubai Land Department Ejari open data.
Where the sources disagree
- POA registration fee: RDC page says AED 25; DLD first-instance page says 'AED 500, plus AED 25 if applicable'.
- Service time: RDC says registration takes 1 business day; DLD says registration takes 10 minutes and completion 8 business days.
- Process-service fee: AED 100 (RDC first instance) versus AED 105 Fast Track (DLD amicable-settlement page).
- Appeal deadline (15 days) and the 30-day decision target come only from Gulf News; the DLD page lists appeal as 'None'.
We quote the official figure where there is one. Check the official page before you pay.
Thinking of buying? Sale prices for every Dubai tower: BUY DUBAI →
Questions
Do documents have to be in Arabic?
Yes. All documents must be in Arabic or legally translated, and uploaded online (RDC/DLD).
Can I settle instead of litigating?
Yes. The amicable-settlement service needs a supervising judge's approval, and the settlement is enforceable through the RDC. Half the basic fee is refunded.
Is there a cap on fees?
AED 20,000 for eviction, renewal and termination cases; AED 15,000 for monetary claims.
Sources (checked 20 Oct 2026)
More guides: Register Ejari · Ejari online · Renew Ejari · Ejari certificate · Tenancy contract · DEWA move-in · Security deposit · Rent cheques · Eviction notice
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