United Arab Emirates · property
How to File Offer and Deposit in RDC Dubai: Tenant Guide
When a Dubai landlord refuses to accept your renewal rent cheques or demands an unlawful rate increase, they often hope you will miss payment so they can claim a lease default. Dubai's Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC) offers a summary procedure called Offer and Deposit that allows you to legally tender your rent into court custody. Taking this step protects your tenancy, stops manufactured eviction claims, and keeps you securely in your home.
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I need more helpDubai Tenancy Law and the Manufactured Default Trap
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, residential tenancies are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008. Under Article 14 of this law, either party wishing to amend lease terms—including rent—must provide formal notice at least 90 days prior to contract expiry, unless agreed otherwise in writing. Furthermore, any rent increase is strictly capped by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) Smart Rental Index under Decree No. 43 of 2013.
A common tactic used by property owners who want higher rents or vacant possession is to ignore renewal communications, refuse to collect renewal cheques, or insist on unapproved rate hikes. Some landlords deliberately stall until the contract expires, hoping to issue a 30-day notary notice for non-payment under Article 25(1)(a) to evict the tenant. Do not fall into this trap. Doing nothing exposes you to claims of non-payment; taking proactive legal action neutralizes the threat.
How the RDC Offer and Deposit Procedure Protects You
The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC)—established under Decree No. 26 of 2013 as the judicial arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD)—provides an expedited legal remedy known as the 'Offer and Deposit' (Ardh wa Idaa) motion. This petition is submitted directly to the Judge of Provisional and Summary Actions.
By filing an Offer and Deposit motion, you present your renewal cheques (or rent funds) on the terms of the existing contract or in compliance with the RERA calculator. Crucially, under established RDC practice, the tenant is legally deemed to have satisfied their rent payment obligation from the exact date the judge approves the motion. The court then officially serves the landlord to collect the funds or execute the renewed lease. If the landlord disagrees, they have eight days to file a formal grievance, but they can no longer claim you defaulted on your rent.
Fees, Documentation, and Legal Support
Filing an Offer and Deposit through the official RDC portal (rdc.gov.ae) or DLD portal incurs a statutory fee of AED 50, plus AED 10 Knowledge Fee and AED 10 Innovation Fee (AED 70 total). If you choose to process the motion via an authorized Real Estate Services Trustee Centre, an additional trustee fee of AED 130 plus VAT applies.
All supporting records filed with the Dubai court must be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified legal Arabic translation. You must provide the existing Ejari certificate, the current tenancy contract, clear copies of the signed renewal cheques matching the lawful rental amount, and documented evidence of the landlord's refusal or lack of response (such as email chains, courier tracking receipts, or WhatsApp notices).
You do not have to fight an unreasonable landlord alone or guess your way through administrative portals. You can use Caunsel to research applicable Dubai rental decrees, store and organize your tenancy notices and evidence in a secure case file, or connect with an independent licensed UAE lawyer for formal legal representation. Caunsel is an informational legal technology platform, not a law firm, and does not file legal proceedings on your behalf.
Steps
- Assemble and verify your documentation: Gather your existing tenancy agreement, Ejari certificate, Emirates ID, copies of the newly prepared post-dated rent cheques, and written proof of your renewal notice sent to the landlord at least 90 days before expiry.
- Legally document the landlord's refusal: Send a clear written communication (via email or registered post) offering the renewal cheques in accordance with the RERA Rental Index; keep delivery confirmations showing the landlord refused delivery, failed to sign, or demanded an unlawful increase.
- Translate non-Arabic records: Ensure all English correspondence and notices are translated by a UAE-certified legal translator, as the RDC platform requires Arabic documentation.
- Submit the Offer and Deposit application: Log in to the RDC portal (rdc.gov.ae) or the Dubai Land Department website using UAE Pass, navigate to 'Dispute Lawsuit - Offer and Deposit', upload your dossier, and pay the filing fees.
- Deposit the cheques or funds per court order: Monitor your RDC dashboard for the summary judge's order; once accepted, deliver physical cheques or deposit cash into the RDC treasury as directed by the court notice.
Common mistakes
- Withholding rent payments privately instead of filing with the RDC, which leaves you vulnerable to a 30-day eviction notice for non-payment.
- Failing to serve a renewal notice at least 90 days prior to contract expiration, weakening your legal standing under Article 14 of Law 33 of 2008.
- Submitting uncertified English communications to the RDC system without an official Arabic translation.
- Altering payment terms (such as changing the agreed number of cheques) without the landlord's mutual written consent.
- Assuming an Offer and Deposit motion is a final substantive lawsuit; it is an urgent protective measure to tender rent and avoid eviction, not a damages claim.
Questions people ask
Does filing an Offer and Deposit resolve a substantive dispute over rent amounts?
No. The Offer and Deposit is an urgent summary petition that protects the tenant against payment default. It formally tenders the rent without deciding broader legal disputes. If the landlord still disputes the amount or refuses to execute Ejari, either party may file a substantive rental claim before the RDC First Instance Committee.
What happens after the RDC judge approves the Offer and Deposit motion?
Once approved, the RDC notifies the landlord to collect the deposited cheques or funds from the court. By judicial order, you are deemed to have paid your rent from the date of the judge's acceptance, preventing the landlord from issuing a default notice.
How long does the landlord have to object to the Offer and Deposit order?
The landlord has eight business days from the date of official notification to register a grievance against the summary decision before the RDC.
Can my landlord evict me while the Offer and Deposit procedure is ongoing?
No. A landlord cannot evict you without an enforceable judgment or writ from the RDC. Depositing the rent at the RDC proves you have not defaulted under Article 25 of Dubai Tenancy Law, defeating bad-faith eviction attempts based on non-payment.
Ask Caunsel how to calculate your legal rent cap under the RERA index, draft an Arabic Offer and Deposit motion, or list your case to consult an independent Dubai tenancy lawyer.
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General information only, last updated 2026-10-30. 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.