All tenancy contracts must be registered - Rera

Dubai: All Dubai tenants must register their tenancy contracts with Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera), whether independently or through an agent, a top official said, without giving a deadline.

Over 100 companies have already registered their tenancy contracts on Rera's new online registration website, Ejari.

Registration of all contracts is compulsory, under Law 26, according to Marwan Bin Galita, chief executive of Rera.

The registration is Rera's final step in getting a good look at Dubai's rental market. The ultimate aim of the rent index is to allow tenants in Dubai the choice of whether to pay monthly, quarterly or annually.

This is welcome news for those tenants in Dubai struggling to find the cash to pay next year's rent in one cheque.

"All contracts must be registered as stated in Article 4 of the Tenancy Law. And Rera have now made it easier for the tenants," Mohammad Kawasmi, property lawyer at Al Tamimi Law Firm, said.

Bin Galita said once 60 per cent of all leased units in Dubai have been registered on the new system, the final rent index will be complete.

Will this address the concerns of tenants or landlords? What major problems do you face as a tenant or landlord? Will this move be effective in regulating rents?

It is a good step. It shows the authorities wants to control the rent market. I wish this step to be a successful one and the tenants and landlords benefit from it. This will reduce the impact of middle players.
Muhasin Abdul Rahman
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 12:50

The landlord has asked me to move out if I do not agree to his 35 per cent rent increase, otherwise he would send me a notice saying that he is going to move in, thus forcing me to leave. This idea was given by his real estate agent who gets commission if a new tenant comes in. If a rule such as a 'no Dewa connection' is supplied, if the tenancy registration is not done in Rera, it will help solve such issues.
Bijoy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 10:55

Charging rent is a landlord's choice, as it is an individual's property. Now, it is upto the tenant to decide whether to stay or leave. This is similar to cases where one cannot make a price list for stores.
Avinash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 10:35

We feel this new system will regulate the rents in a systematic manner, as described by Rera. Why can't this system be implemented in other emirates too? It would help everyone.
V. S. Saravanakumar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 10:13

My main concern is the rents itself, not the payment. If Rera can take the initiative to regulate rentals, rather than collecting tenants details, that would help a lot.
Jamal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 09:53

Our landlord has increased our rent by 75 per cent from January 1, 2009. Most of our families are middle-class and we are already struggling in our daily lives. Now, our rent has been increased. Everyone is scared to do anything, as they know landlords can do anything.
Shree
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 09:29

The comments by the authorities are very vague. The Ejari website only asks the landlords to register, whereas officials ask the tenants to register. This needs to be clarified first. Second, can this new initiative guarantee the residents that after paying Dh100, any violation done by the landlords, related to rent increases, would be handled by the authorities? I do not think that this initiative will work unless all intricate benefits are put in front of the consumers.
Dheeraj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 09:07

This might be a good move. Landlords will have to keep their increase per prevailing policy and tenants might not be blackmailed by them. However, the real result will be shown after a year or so and we will be able to tell who is ultimately protected. At the same time, I understand that the authorities must regularise all the aspects of rentals such as how many cheques, what should be paid in advance, rent increase and so on.
Mohammad Seddiqi I.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 25, 2008, 08:40