Decree No. 26 of 2013
The Rental Disputes Centre in Dubai: How It Works
A specialised judicial body with exclusive jurisdiction over rental disputes in the Emirate, statutory time limits written into the Decree, and more than twenty electronic services. Here is what it actually does — and where its jurisdiction stops.
Direct answer
The Rental Disputes Centre was created by Decree No. 26 of 2013 and has exclusive jurisdiction over all rental disputes between landlords and tenants for property in Dubai, including in free zones, together with counterclaims, applications for interim or urgent relief, appeals, and enforcement of its own judgments.
Excluded: free zones operating their own tribunals, lease-finance contracts, and long-term leases registered under the Real Property Registration Law. Since 2019 its jurisdiction also covers jointly-owned-property disputes under Law No. 6 of 2019.
The statutory time limits
| Stage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Mediation and conciliation | 15 days, extendable for equal periods |
| First Instance determination | 30 days from referral, extendable once |
| Filing an appeal | 15 days |
| Writ of Certiorari / reconsideration | 30 days |
| Opening an execution file | 15 days after judgment or notification |
| First hearing scheduling | At least 7 days after payment |
| Unpaid registration cancels | After 5 days, automatically |
Its services
Amicable settlement
Register a conciliation dispute; half the court fee is refunded if it settles.
Lawsuits
First Instance (rental), First Instance (jointly owned), Writ of Certiorari, substantial enforcement dispute.
Contestations
Appeal (rental) and appeal (jointly-owned property).
Execution
Rental execution, cheque execution, third-party injunction, jointly-owned execution.
Provisional & summary orders
Grievance, Petition Order, Writ of Payment, Offer and Deposit.
Miscellaneous
Whom It May Concern certificate, add an attorney, fee-exemption request, Track Your Case.
Services that get little attention and help a lot
Smart Judge — a guidance service with 100 interactive rental-case scenarios, on the website and the Dubai REST app. Rental Good-Conduct Certificate — an electronic enquiry into a landlord's or tenant's rental-dispute history before you sign. Yad Al Khair committee — applications by email to khair@rdc.gov.ae.
The Centre does not give legal advice
This is stated expressly in its own published answers. Do not expect a view on the strength of your position — its role is to decide the dispute, not to assess your case before you bring it.
The appeal threshold
Judgments below AED 100,000 are final and not appealable, except in six situations: eviction judgments, breach of the jurisdiction rules, ruling beyond or short of the relief sought, invalid representation or service, discovery of forged documents or false testimony after judgment, and concealment of decisive evidence by a party. Appellate Division judgments are final.
We are minutes from the Centre
Our office is in Creek Tower, Riggat Al Buteen. Send us your file and we will identify the right service, prepare and translate it, file it and follow it through.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the RDC responsible for?
Exclusive jurisdiction over rental disputes for property in Dubai including free zones, counterclaims, interim and urgent applications, appeals from its own First Instance decisions, and enforcement of its judgments.
Does it cover free zones?
Yes, except free zones that operate their own tribunals. Lease-finance contracts and long-term registered leases are also excluded.
Can hearings be attended remotely?
Yes. A session link is sent by the Centre and appears in the Case Summary, or you can use the hearings portal.
How do I track my case?
Through the Track Your Case service or the Case Activity section of your account. A copy of the judgment is dispatched automatically to the registered email.
Does the Centre advise on my case?
No — it states expressly that it does not provide legal advice, and refers enquirers to the Dubai Land Department website for information.
Can a case go back to conciliation?
Yes — a case at First Instance can be referred back to conciliation by a decision taken in session.
What languages do the conciliators work in?
Arabic, English, Persian and Urdu, using phone, email, WhatsApp Business and Microsoft Teams alongside in-person sessions.
What is Taw-Theeq's role before the Centre?
We prepare the file, check it for gaps, produce MOJ-certified Arabic translation, register the case under the correct category and follow it through to execution. We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice or appear at hearings.
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Disclaimer. General information, not legal advice. Legislation is cited from the Dubai Legislation Portal and procedure and fees from the Rental Disputes Centre as published at the date of writing. Taw-Theeq Corporate Services and Legal Translation LLC is a legal support services provider — not a law firm and not a government authority.