How to File a Case at the Dubai Rental Dispute Center (RDC) & Use "Offer and Deposit" When Landlord Refuses Renewal
What should you do when the official DLD Rental Index (or a missed 90-day notice) says your rent increase should be 0% or 5%, but your landlord refuses to sign the renewal contract or accept your post-dated cheques? Under Dubai tenancy law, you must NOT simply hold onto your cheques and stop paying—doing so allows the landlord to claim non-payment of rent! Instead, you must file an official "Offer and Deposit" (Ardh wa Eidaa) motion at the Dubai Rental Dispute Center (RDC).
Key Statutory Takeaways (2026)
Open RERA & Tenancy Law Calculator →- Never withhold rent cheques during a renewal dispute — use the RDC "Offer and Deposit" service to legally prove tender of payment.
- An "Offer and Deposit" motion is filed online via the DLD/RDC portal or at a Real Estate Services Trustee center before your current Ejari expires.
- If a full First Instance Lawsuit is required, the RDC court fee is 3.5% of the annual rent (minimum AED 500, maximum AED 20,000) — recoverable from the losing party!
- The RDC Judge issues a binding judicial judgment that renews your lease at the legal RERA Index rate even without the landlord's signature.
In This Guide (Quick Jump)
- 1. Why "Offer and Deposit" Is Your #1 Legal Shield
- 2. Step-by-Step: Filing "Offer and Deposit" at RDC
- 3. Escalating to a First Instance RDC Lawsuit (3.5% Fee)
- 4. Itemized RDC Filing, Translation & Trustee Fees
- 5. Can a Landlord Cut Off DEWA or Access Cards During a Dispute?
- Statutory Comparison Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why "Offer and Deposit" Is Your #1 Legal Shield
When a landlord demands an unlawful 20% rent increase (when our RERA Rent Increase Calculator shows 0% or 5% is allowed under Decree No. 43 of 2013) and refuses to collect your renewal cheques, remaining passive is dangerous. Once your current lease expires, if you have not formally tendered your renewal cheques through the court, an unscrupulous landlord could serve a 30-day non-payment notice. Filing an Offer and Deposit (Ardh wa Eidaa) with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) places your renewal cheques and signed contract on the official court record—proving 100% good-faith legal compliance.
2. Step-by-Step: Filing "Offer and Deposit" at RDC
- Download the Official DLD Rental Index PDF: Generate the official Rental Index report for your unit via the Dubai REST App or `dubailand.gov.ae` showing the permitted renewal rent.
- Prepare Digital Copies of Your Cheques & Signed Contract: Write out your renewal cheques matching the legal RERA rent and same number of cheques as last year, and sign your part of the Unified Tenancy Contract.
- Submit the Offer & Deposit Motion: Log into the RDC portal (`rdc.gov.ae`) with UAE Pass (or visit any DLD Real Estate Services Trustee center in Barsha Mall, Deira Head Office, or Oud Metha) and file an Offer and Deposit petition.
- Court Notification to Landlord: The RDC Bailiff formally notifies the landlord via SMS and email that the renewal cheques have been offered and gives the landlord 5–10 days to accept them or state a legal objection.
3. Escalating to a First Instance RDC Lawsuit (3.5% Fee)
If the landlord still refuses to sign the renewal after the Offer and Deposit notification, you (or the landlord) can register a First Instance Case (Lease Renewal Lawsuit) at RDC. Hearings are conducted 100% online via Microsoft Teams / RDC Smart Judge within 10–21 days. Because the judge strictly applies Decree No. 43 of 2013 and the 90-Day Notice Rule (Article 14), tenants who follow the official DLD Rental Index win the vast majority of renewal cases—and the judge orders the losing landlord to reimburse your 3.5% court filing fees! What's more, the final RDC judgment acts as your official Ejari certificate for the new year.
4. Itemized RDC Filing, Translation & Trustee Fees
See the table below for exact DLD Rental Dispute Center costs so you can weigh the filing fee against your annual rent savings.
5. Can a Landlord Cut Off DEWA or Access Cards During a Dispute?
Strictly prohibited! Under Article 34 of Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, a landlord is legally forbidden from disconnecting DEWA, chiller, water, or building gym/parking access cards to pressure a tenant. If a landlord or building management blocks your access cards during an active renewal dispute, you can file an immediate emergency Petition for an Order on a Petition (Amr Ala Arida) at RDC (or call Dubai Police) to restore services within 24 hours.
Dubai Rental Dispute Center (RDC) Official Fee Structure (2026)
| RDC Procedure / Service | Official Government Fee | Notes & Recoverability |
|---|---|---|
| Offer and Deposit Motion (Ardh wa Eidaa) | ~AED 120 – 525 (plus Trustee typing fee) | Proves legal tender of renewal cheques before expiry |
| First Instance Lawsuit Filing Fee | 3.5% of Annual Rent (Min AED 500 / Max AED 20,000) | Awarded back against the losing party in judgment |
| Legal Arabic Translation of Documents | ~AED 50 – 80 per page | Required for non-Arabic emails/WhatsApp evidence |
| Fast-Track / Urgent Petition (Order on Petition) | ~AED 120 – 320 | Used for emergency DEWA/access card restoration or deposit return |
Verify Your Legal Renewal Rent Before Filing at RDC
Calculate the exact DLD-permitted rent increase percentage and AED cap under Decree 43.