Trusted Real Estate Law Firm in UAE for Property Disputes & Transactions

Dubai’s property market moves fast, and its disputes move with it: an eviction notice that arrives mid-lease, an off-plan handover that keeps slipping, a deposit that never comes back, a joint investment that sours. Real estate is usually the largest asset — or the largest monthly expense — our clients have. We treat it that way.

KH Legal’s real estate team acts for property owners, investors, landlords, tenants and developers across Dubai and the wider UAE, from Rental Dispute Center cases to complex litigation over off-plan projects and jointly owned property.

Rental and Tenancy Disputes

The Rental Dispute Center (RDC) is where most Dubai tenancy conflicts are decided, and we appear there constantly — for landlords and for tenants:

• Eviction cases — serving and defending the 12-month notary notice, contesting invalid notices, and compensation claims when a landlord evicts to sell or occupy and then does neither
• Rent increases — applying the RERA rental index, challenging increases served without the legally required 90 days’ notice
• Unpaid rent and bounced rent cheques — from formal demand through RDC judgment and execution
• Security deposit recovery — the most common tenant dispute, usually winnable with the right evidence trail
• Maintenance and repair disputes — enforcing Article 16 obligations or defending exaggerated claims
• Early termination — negotiating exits and defending penalty claims

RDC filing fees are generally 3.5% of the annual rent, and first-instance decisions typically arrive within weeks. It is a fast forum — which means preparation before filing matters more than in ordinary litigation.

Property Ownership and Investment Disputes

• Off-plan purchase disputes — delayed handover, specification changes, cancelled projects; claims under RERA’s escrow framework and Law No. 13 of 2008
• Sale and purchase disputes — deposit forfeiture, failure to complete, defects discovered after transfer
• Jointly owned property — service-charge disputes and owners’ association issues
• Co-investment and nominee arrangements — untangling informal property investments between partners, friends or family members
• Real estate fraud — civil and criminal routes when a property transaction was induced by deception

Transactional Support

Prevention is cheaper than litigation. We review and negotiate sale and purchase agreements, draft tenancy contracts that actually protect the party we act for, conduct due diligence on title and developer standing, and structure property holdings for families and investors — including through DIFC wills and inheritance planning for non-Muslim owners.

How a Property Dispute Proceeds

1. Assessment — we review the contract, notices and correspondence, and give you a clear view of your position and the realistic outcomes.
2. Formal demand — many disputes settle once the other side receives a properly framed legal notice with a deadline.
3. Filing — RDC for tenancy matters; Dubai Courts for ownership and off-plan disputes; some contracts route to arbitration.
4. Judgment and execution — we enforce through the execution courts, including attachment of rent, bank accounts and the property itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord evict me to sell the property?

Only with 12 months’ written notice served through the Notary Public or registered mail, stating that ground. If the landlord then fails to sell within the period recognized by RDC practice, you may claim compensation.

How much can my rent be increased in Dubai?

Only within the percentages allowed by the RERA rental index for your area and property type, and only with at least 90 days’ notice before renewal. Increases outside those limits can be refused and contested.

The developer is years late delivering my off-plan unit. What can I do?

Depending on the contract and the project’s escrow status, options range from compensation for delay to termination and refund. These cases turn on documents — the SPA, payment receipts and RERA project records — and on acting before limitation periods run.

How do I recover my security deposit?

Document the handover, request the refund in writing, and file at the RDC if the landlord withholds it without evidenced deductions. Deposit cases are quick and inexpensive relative to the amounts involved.

Do you represent landlords or tenants?

Both. The RDC sees us weekly on each side of the aisle, which is exactly why our advice on prospects is reliable rather than optimistic.