New Rental Law in Sharjah highlights the Accountability of both Tenant and Landlord

01 November 2024

Bini Saroj

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, who is the Ruler of Sharjah and a Member of the Supreme Council, has introduced a new rental law that mandates landlords in the emirate to confirm rental agreements within 15 days of issuance.   This law is applicable to properties rented for residential, commercial, industrial, or professional use in Sharjah.

Sharjah: Under the updated rules, if a landlord fails to confirm a lease agreement within the specified timeframe, the tenant has the option to appeal to the urgent matters judge to force the landlord to authenticate the contract, as per the Sharjah Government Media Office. In case the contract is not confirmed by the municipality or relevant authorities, the landlord will be subject to an administrative penalty in accordance with the executive regulations of the law, on top of the regular authentication charges.

Furthermore, the law empowers the municipality to seek judicial intervention to compel the landlord to confirm the lease and settle any applicable fees and penalties.  

Written or Electronic Contracts Required

Landlords and tenants must sign rental agreements in written or electronic form, using forms endorsed by the Sharjah Executive Council. If a lease agreement is not certified, either party can take legal action through the Rental Disputes Center. The landlord is responsible for paying the certification fees once the validity of the lease is confirmed.

Landlord's Responsibilities

The law outlines several key obligations for landlords:

·        Transfer of Property: Deliver the rented property in a suitable condition for its intended use without any obstacles during the duration of the lease.

·        Upkeep: Perform necessary maintenance unless specified otherwise in the agreement.

·        Authorization for Alterations: Grant written approval if the tenant wants to make changes to the interior design or carry out other modifications, as long as they do not impact the property's structure.

·        Tenant Safeguard: Ensure that the tenant is not harassed or pressured to leave the property, and that there are no disturbances in services.

·        Refund of Security Deposit: Give back any security deposits at the end of the lease unless there are deductions required for damages caused by the tenant.

Tenant's Responsibilities

Tenants, under the new law, have several obligations, including:

• Timely Rent Payment: Pay rent on agreed-upon dates.
• Property Use: Use the property in accordance with the lease agreement.
• Modifications: Obtain written permission before making any changes to the property.
• Maintenance: Carry out routine maintenance, unless otherwise specified in the contract, and allow the landlord to perform necessary repairs.
• Service Payments: Cover any damages caused and pay for services used during the lease term.

Exemptions from the Law

Certain properties are exempt from the new regulations, including:

·        Agricultural lands.

·        Properties granted by the government for residential purposes unless privately owned.

·        Properties provided by employers to house employees without rent.

·        Hotel and tourist facility properties rented exclusively to guests.

·        Properties located in free zones.

·        Properties governed by special decisions of the Sharjah Executive Council.

There has been a notable change in the rental scenario in Sharjah with the introduction of this law, which aims to hold landlords more accountable and offer increased protection to tenants in the emirate.   

ALKETBI TOUCH:

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