Published: 13 October 2026
A landlord who will not return a deposit, a tenant who stopped paying rent, an eviction notice you think is unfair: in Dubai, these cases go to one place, the Rental Disputes Center (RDC). Many people delay filing because they do not know the fees, the documents or what happens after they click submit. This guide follows the official RDC website and explains each step in plain language, with worked fee examples, so you can decide whether to file and what to prepare first.
Quick Answer: How Do You File a Rental Case in Dubai?
You register the case online on the RDC website (rdc.gov.ae), or through a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre, upload your documents in Arabic, pay the fee, and attend the hearing by remote video. The RDC says registration is completed within 1 business day.
The official filing fee for most rent cases is 3.5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000. For pure money claims, the fee is 3.5% of the amount claimed, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 15,000.
Quick facts:
- Who files: landlords, tenants and, with a power of attorney, their legal representatives.
- Main document: the latest Ejari tenancy contract.
- Language: documents must be in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic.
- Hearings: held through the tele-litigation system.
- Settlement option: a conciliation session first, with half of the court fee refunded if you settle a basic claim.
What Is the Rental Disputes Center?
The Rental Disputes Center is the Dubai body that hears disputes between landlords and tenants. According to its official website it was established by Decree No. (26) of 2013, issued by the Ruler of Dubai. It handles first instance cases, appeals, payment writs and the execution of judgments, so one place covers the whole life of a rent case.
It is not a general court. It deals with rental relationships on properties in Dubai, so a dispute about a car loan or an employment matter belongs elsewhere. If your dispute is simply that the rent was raised, check the rules first in our guide to the UAE rent increase rules and the RERA rental index before paying any fee.
What Types of Cases Can You File?
The RDC’s fee pages group the common claims as:
- Eviction of a tenant
- Lease renewal disputes
- Rent claims, such as unpaid rent
- Termination of a lease that is still in force
- Return to premises after eviction for demolition and reconstruction
- Monetary claims, such as a deposit refund or compensation
- Payment writs, a faster route for undisputed debts such as unpaid rent backed by documents
The type of case decides which fee formula applies, so choose the service that matches your claim before you pay.
Official Fees: What You Pay in 2026
The RDC fee is a percentage of the value in dispute, with a floor and a cap.
| Claim type | Fee | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eviction, lease renewal, rent claim, lease termination, return to premises | 3.5% of annual rent or lease value | AED 500 | AED 20,000 |
| Monetary claims | 3.5% of the claimed amount | AED 500 | AED 15,000 |
For leases shorter or longer than one year, the RDC pages say the value is adjusted for the term.
Other charges
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Process service | AED 100 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10 |
| Power of attorney registration (if applicable) | AED 25 |
| Registration through a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre | Partner service fee of AED 130, plus VAT on that fee |
Worked examples
| Annual rent | 3.5% | Fee after minimum and cap |
|---|---|---|
| AED 10,000 | AED 350 | AED 500 (minimum applies) |
| AED 60,000 | AED 2,100 | AED 2,100 |
| AED 120,000 | AED 4,200 | AED 4,200 |
| AED 600,000 | AED 21,000 | AED 20,000 (cap applies) |
Add the AED 100, AED 10 and AED 10 charges to get the total. A rent claim on AED 60,000 annual rent would therefore be AED 2,100 plus AED 120, which is AED 2,220, before any optional charges.
Other fees you may meet
From the RDC’s FAQ:
- Adding a party to a case: AED 500
- Asking the committee to prove a leasehold relationship when there is no rental contract: AED 500
- Confirming a precautionary attachment (sequestration): AED 500
- Writ of certiorari or reconsideration: AED 500
- Each electronic request during execution: AED 20
Payment methods
The RDC accepts Noqodi, debit or credit cards, and cash at a Real Estate Service Centre. An unpaid lawsuit is cancelled automatically after 5 days, so pay promptly after you submit.
Do You Need Ejari to File?
The standard answer is yes: the latest Ejari tenancy contract is the first document the RDC lists. If you are unsure whether your lease is registered, read our guide to Ejari registration in Dubai first.
The RDC’s FAQ adds one important detail. If there is no rental contract, you can still file a rental claim by adding a request to prove the leasehold relationship, which costs AED 500. The FAQ also states that an Ejari rental cancellation statement is not required to register a claim.
Documents Checklist
For a first instance lawsuit, the RDC lists:
- Latest lease (Ejari).
- Emirates ID for individuals. For companies, the commercial licence and the photo ID of the manager or owner. If your card is expired or lost, see our guides to Emirates ID renewal and Emirates ID replacement.
- A bank letter or statement showing the plaintiff’s IBAN, so any amount awarded can be paid to you.
- For eviction claims: a notarised notice with the notification officer’s report, or registered post with the acknowledgement receipt.
- Supporting documents where relevant: power of attorney, management contract, correspondence, notices, electricity and water bills, cheques and letters.
If you are the owner and an expatriate, the FAQ also lists the owner’s valid passport with residence permit and a valid management contract where a property manager acts for you.
Language rule: documents must be in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic. The RDC states that no hard copies are entertained: everything is uploaded in the designated sections of the website. If you need a translation or typing support, Yalah Dubai’s typing and document clearing service can help you prepare the paperwork.
Step-by-Step: How to File Online
- Register or log in on the RDC website and select the service that matches your claim.
- Enter the case data and upload your documents.
- Pay the fee after the electronic verification of the lawsuit.
- Attend the hearing through the tele-litigation system on the date given.
- Receive the judgment on the website.
The RDC says the first session is set at least 7 days after payment, on the earliest available date. Documents can be uploaded before the hearing under the Sessions section, but the system does not accept documents once the case is reserved for verdict, and it prohibits submission during the judgment session.
Filing through a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre
If you prefer in-person help, visit a centre, provide the documents for a compliance check, let staff enter the data, pay the fees and receive a receipt, then attend the hearing by tele-litigation and receive the judgment online. The AED 130 partner fee plus VAT applies.
Conciliation First: The Amicable Settlement Route
You can ask for an amicable settlement before a full hearing. The RDC offers a service called Dispute Lawsuit – Amicable Settlement. The steps mirror online filing, but you attend a conciliation session instead, and at the end you either sign the conciliation agreement or waive the claim on the website.
The benefit is cost: if the parties settle a basic claim, half of the court fee is refunded. On a fee of AED 4,200, that is AED 2,100 back. Conciliators can also work by video, phone, email and messaging tools, and the RDC says they speak Arabic, English, Persian and Urdu.
A case that has already started can also be referred to conciliation by a decision in the session.
Eviction Notices: Check Them Before You File
Many cases begin with an eviction notice. The RDC’s FAQ lists several timing rules:
- Non-payment: eviction can follow when rent remains unpaid 30 days after the landlord’s notice.
- Personal use by the owner: 12 months’ notice.
- Lease amendment (such as a rent change): notice at least 90 days before expiry.
- Unoccupied commercial property: 30 consecutive days, or 90 days intermittently.
Eviction claims also require the notarised notice or registered-mail proof described above. A tenant who receives a notice should check the grounds and dates before replying. A landlord who files without proper notice risks losing the case and the fee.
Judgment, Appeal and Execution
Appeals
The FAQ gives the following:
- Deadline: 15 days. For a judgment given in the party’s presence, it runs from the judgment date. For a judgment in absentia, it runs from notification of the judgment. The FAQ wording varies slightly between answers, so check the date on your judgment before you rely on it.
- Which cases can be appealed: an appeal based only on a financial claim needs an amount of AED 100,000 or more. In eviction cases, a defendant can appeal regardless of the amount.
- Deposit: 50% of the amount awarded in the original case, refundable.
- Appeal fees: process service AED 100, power of attorney AED 25 if applicable, knowledge fee AED 10 and innovation fee AED 10.
- Outcome: the appellate judge can uphold, amend or cancel the first instance judgment.
Reconsideration (writ of certiorari)
This can be filed after 30 days from the judgment or notification, with a fee of AED 500.
Execution
Winning a judgment does not move money by itself. The RDC states that execution starts 15 days after the day following an attended judgment, or 15 days after the defendant was notified of an in-absentia judgment. After that:
- Financial claims have no execution fee, and each electronic request costs AED 20.
- Eviction execution costs 1% of the annual lease amount, capped at AED 5,000, plus the process service, knowledge and innovation fees.
- Instalments, grievances, arrest warrants and exit bans are filed through electronic requests.
Tenant and Landlord Tips
For tenants:
- Keep proof of every rent payment and every message with the landlord.
- Check that the Ejari record matches your actual lease and rent.
- Do not ignore a legal notice. Reply in writing and keep a copy.
- Remember that the landlord must return the security deposit, or the remaining portion, after the lease ends if the property is returned in the same condition as received.
For landlords:
- Send notices in the form the RDC requires: notarised, or by registered mail with a receipt.
- Keep your management contract and IBAN letter ready.
- Consider conciliation: it is quicker and half the fee comes back if you settle.
Common Mistakes That Delay Cases
- Choosing the wrong service, so the fee formula and process do not match the claim.
- Uploading documents without Arabic translation.
- Forgetting to pay, which cancels the lawsuit after 5 days.
- Weak eviction notice, with no proof it was delivered.
- Missing the 15-day appeal window.
- Not asking about conciliation, which can save time and half of the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I file a rental dispute in Dubai?
At the Rental Disputes Center, through its website or through a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre.
How much does it cost to file a rental case in Dubai?
For rent-related claims, 3.5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 500 and maximum AED 20,000. For monetary claims, 3.5% of the claimed amount, minimum AED 500 and maximum AED 15,000. Add AED 100 process service and AED 10 each for the knowledge and innovation fees.
Do I need an Ejari contract to file?
The latest Ejari contract is the standard requirement. Without a rental contract you can add a request to prove the leasehold relationship for AED 500.
Can I file a case without a lawyer?
The RDC services are designed for self-service online filing. A legal representative can file with a power of attorney.
Are documents accepted in English?
No. Documents must be in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic, and uploaded online.
How long does registration take?
The RDC states registration completes within 1 business day. The first session is set at least 7 days after payment, on the earliest available date.
Do I have to attend in person?
Hearings are held through the tele-litigation system.
What happens if I do not pay the fee after submitting?
The lawsuit is cancelled automatically after 5 days.
Is part of the fee refunded if we settle?
Yes. If the parties reach a settlement in a basic claim, half of the court fee is refunded.
How long do I have to appeal?
15 days, with the start date depending on whether the judgment was given in your presence or in absentia. A financial claim must be AED 100,000 or more to be appealed, while an eviction defendant can appeal regardless of amount.
What notice does a landlord need to evict for personal use?
12 months’ notice, according to the RDC’s FAQ.
How do I enforce a judgment?
Execution can begin 15 days after the day following an attended judgment, or 15 days after the defendant was notified of an in-absentia judgment, using electronic requests.
Business owners who lease commercial space for a clinic or a company may also want to understand the licensing and tax side before they sign a lease. Our sister site Qaspro Global covers one option for healthcare founders in its guide to Dubai Healthcare City company setup.
Related Reading
- Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) Company Setup 2026 (Qaspro Global)
- UAE rent increase rules and the RERA rental index
- Ejari registration in Dubai 2026
- Emirates ID renewal in the UAE 2026
- Lost or damaged Emirates ID replacement
- Typing and document clearing services
- Certificate attestation in the UAE 2026
Need Help Preparing Your Documents?
If you need typing, translation or document clearing support before you file with the RDC, message Yalah Dubai on WhatsApp at +971 52 580 2100 and our team will review what you have.
Sources
- Rental Disputes Center, official website (rdc.gov.ae): Register First Instance Lawsuit (Rental), Dispute Lawsuit – Amicable Settlement, Register a Writ of Payment, About RDC and Frequently Asked Questions.
- Decree No. (26) of 2013 establishing the Rental Disputes Center, as cited on the RDC website.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures can change, so confirm the current figures on rdc.gov.ae before you file, and consult a licensed lawyer for complex disputes.