United Arab Emirates · property
How to File Offer and Deposit in RDC Dubai, UAE
When a Dubai landlord refuses lawful rent payments or ignores contract renewal to force an illegal eviction, an Offer and Deposit motion with the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre protects your rights. This legal mechanism places the rent into the custody of the court, proving you are not in default. Following the correct statutory procedure prevents unfair evictions and forces the landlord to engage through official legal channels.
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I need more helpThe Legal Framework in Dubai, UAE
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, residential tenancy relationships are governed by Law No. (26) of 2007 as amended by Law No. (33) of 2008, alongside Decree No. (43) of 2013 regarding rent increases, and Decree No. (26) of 2013 establishing the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (RDC). Under Article 14 of the tenancy law, neither party may amend contract terms—including rent—without providing at least 90 days' written notice before expiration. Furthermore, any rent increase must strictly comply with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) Rental Index calculator.
Landlords often attempt to bypass statutory caps by going silent, rejecting renewal cheques, or demanding inflated rates under threat of eviction. Article 25(1)(a) of Law No. (33) of 2008 allows a landlord to seek eviction if a tenant fails to pay rent within 30 days of receiving a formal notice. When an owner deliberately blocks payment, they are attempting to manufacture a default. To prevent this bad-faith tactic, Dubai law provides the 'Offer and Deposit' procedure (العرض والإيداع) before the Provisional and Summary Actions Judge at the RDC. Filing this petition formally tenders your rent through the judiciary without waiving your substantive rights under the lease.
Document Requirements and RDC Evidentiary Standards
The RDC requires documentary proof demonstrating that you attempted to pay the lawful rent and that the landlord refused or ignored the tender. You must show a clear audit trail establishing the existing lease terms and your good-faith efforts to renew under identical or legally adjusted conditions.
Dubai court filings are conducted entirely in Arabic. All supporting evidence—including emails, WhatsApp message records, courier delivery receipts, and the existing tenancy contract—must be translated by an officially certified legal translator in the UAE. Incomplete records or informal English communications without translation are routinely rejected by the registrar before reaching a judge.
Navigating the Judge's Decision and Next Steps
Once filed, a Provisional and Summary Actions Judge evaluates the motion. If the motion is granted, the court issues a judicial directive authorizing the deposit of the rental funds or post-dated cheques directly into the RDC's treasury. From the exact date the judge accepts the motion, you are legally considered to have satisfied your payment obligation, nullifying any claim that you are in rental default.
The RDC officially serves the landlord with notice of the deposit. The landlord then has an 8-day statutory window to accept the payment or submit a grievance. If the landlord continues to refuse to sign your renewal contract or register the Ejari, you may use the judge's order as conclusive proof to file a substantive lawsuit before the RDC First Instance Committee to compel contract renewal. You can use Caunsel to research procedural rules, organize your rental correspondence in a secure case file, or connect with an independent UAE-licensed lawyer to represent you before the RDC.
Steps
- Verify the legally permitted rent using the official RERA Rental Index calculator and notify your landlord in writing of your intent to renew on those terms.
- Draft the proposed standard tenancy contract and write the renewal cheque(s) exactly reflecting the legally applicable rent amount.
- Compile and legally translate all documentation into Arabic, including your Emirates ID, trade license (if applicable), previous Ejari, proposed contract, cheque copies, and written proof of the landlord's refusal or lack of response.
- Submit the 'Register an Offer and Deposit' motion on the RDC portal (rdc.gov.ae) or via a Real Estate Services Trustee centre and pay the applicable government fees.
- Await the decision of the Provisional and Summary Actions Judge, deposit the physical cheques or cash into the RDC treasury upon approval, and retain the official deposit receipt.
Common mistakes
- Stopping rent payments or keeping cheques at home while the landlord refuses to answer, which allows the landlord to serve an Article 25 eviction notice for non-payment.
- Submitting screenshots of English WhatsApp or email conversations without certified UAE legal translations into Arabic.
- Filing for Offer and Deposit with cheques reflecting arbitrary amounts rather than the exact figure calculated via the RERA Rental Index or previous lease.
- Assuming an accepted Offer and Deposit automatically generates an active Ejari certificate without subsequent enforcement or formal registration steps.
- Failing to track the 8-day grievance deadline following the summary judge's order.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to file an Offer and Deposit with the RDC in Dubai?
Filing directly through the RDC online portal costs AED 50 for the motion, plus AED 10 Knowledge Fee and AED 10 Innovation Fee (totaling AED 70). If submitted through an authorized Real Estate Services Trustee centre, an additional administrative partner fee of AED 130 plus VAT applies.
Does filing an Offer and Deposit protect me from eviction?
Yes, provided it is filed before the expiry of a valid 30-day legal notice for non-payment. Once approved by the summary judge, the payment is placed under the court's jurisdiction, proving you fulfilled your contractual duty and blocking the landlord from claiming unlawful default under Dubai rental law.
What happens if the landlord refuses to collect the cheques from the RDC?
The funds or cheques remain safely deposited with the court treasury. The landlord's refusal to collect does not jeopardize your right to remain in the property. You can use the judge's deposit order to petition the RDC for an order compelling Ejari renewal.
Ask Caunsel to evaluate your RERA index rent calculations and draft your Offer and Deposit submission checklist before consulting an independent legal advisor.
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General information only, last updated 2026-10-28. Caunsel is not a law firm and does not practise law. AI answers and this guide are not legal advice. Verify filings, deadlines, and statutes with a licensed lawyer in United Arab Emirates.