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Tenants' and landlords' rights
What to agree in writing, and where the law steps in when things go wrong.
Last checked 2026-10-06
General information, not legal advice. Laws and fees change: confirm with the authority named on this page before you act.
Put it in the lease
Most day-to-day questions are settled by the lease itself, so write down: rent and payment dates, deposit and its return, maintenance responsibilities, renewal and notice, rent changes at renewal, and rules on sharing and subletting.
When there's a dispute
Disputes between landlords and tenants go to the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee before any court case (see Rent disputes). Keep the lease, receipts, cheque copies and messages.
Evictions
A landlord who wants a tenant out without agreement must go through the committee; changing locks or cutting services is not a substitute for a decision.
Confirm before you act
The detailed rules on deposits, notice and rent changes are in Law No. 4 of 2008 and its amendments. Read the official text on Al Meezan or ask a lawyer about your case.