Drafting a tenancy contract
A contract drafted to protect the landlord’s position on maintenance, use, renewal and termination, ready for Ejari registration.
Rental & Tenancy Law · Dubai & Sharjah
Tenancy Contract Lawyer Dubai
About to sign, negotiate, renew, or already in dispute over a tenancy contract? Get the terms checked before they become a problem.
MBM drafts, reviews and negotiates Dubai tenancy contracts for landlords and tenants, and represents both sides where a contract has already been breached, is being terminated early, or is in dispute at renewal. We read the contract the way a tribunal will, before it becomes a dispute.
The framework
The contract, registered and read as a whole
Dubai tenancy contracts sit within the framework of Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, and are generally required to be registered through Ejari. Beyond that statutory framework, the specific terms of the contract itself - maintenance responsibility, renewal mechanics, permitted use and termination conditions - govern most day-to-day questions and disputes.
A contract that reads well in isolation can still create risk if its renewal, termination or maintenance terms are unclear. This page describes the general framework; it is not advice on your contract.
Primary sources
Rental Disputes Center — rdc.gov.ae · Dubai Land Department — dubailand.gov.ae · UAE Legislation — uaelegislation.gov.ae
Matters we handle
Tenancy contract matters MBM is instructed on
These are the situations that most often reach us. If yours is not listed, it is still worth a call.
Reviewing a contract before signing
A review of the proposed terms before you commit, flagging anything that creates unusual risk or is unclear.
Negotiating terms
Where terms are still open for discussion, we negotiate directly with the other party or their representative on your behalf.
Lease breach
A failure to comply with a term of the contract by either party, assessed against what the contract actually requires.
Early termination
Advice on whether early termination is available under the contract, and on the risk of terminating without a proper basis.
Renewal disputes
Disagreements at renewal over terms other than rent. Where the dispute is specifically about a rent increase, see rent increase disputes.
Our approach
What MBM actually does on a tenancy contract
Concrete steps, whether the work is drafting, review, or a dispute.
Read the contract as a whole
We assess renewal, maintenance, use and termination terms together, not in isolation, since disputes usually arise where two terms interact badly.
Draft or amend clearly
Where we draft or amend a contract, terms are written to be enforceable and unambiguous, not just standard.
Negotiate directly
Where terms are still being agreed, we communicate with the other side so you are not negotiating alone.
Address a breach or termination properly
We assess the contractual position before any formal step is taken, so the response is proportionate and defensible.
Escalate where necessary
Where a dispute cannot be resolved directly, we prepare and present the case at the Rental Disputes Center.
Before you call
What to have to hand
You do not need any of this to call us - but having it ready makes the first conversation more useful.
- The current or proposed contractAll pages, including any addenda
- The Ejari certificateIf the tenancy is already registered
- Correspondence connected to the matterEmails, messages or letters about the contract
- Details of any breach or disputed termWhat was agreed, and what actually happened
- A timeline of eventsAs you understand them, with dates where you can
Why MBM
Drafted to prevent the dispute, not just to describe it
Most tenancy disputes trace back to a term that was unclear from the start. MBM drafts and reviews contracts with the dispute in mind, so it does not happen.
- We act on both sides. Drafting for landlords and reviewing for tenants gives us a practical view of where contracts tend to fail.
- Litigation experience in-house. The people drafting your contract are the people who would argue over it if it ever came to that.
- Straight answers on merits. If a breach claim or termination is weak, we will tell you that early.
- Two offices. Dubai and Sharjah.
17Years in practice as MBM Businessmen Services L.L.C.
90+Years of shared experience across the team
10Lawyers, litigation and arbitration capable
95%Win rate in high-stakes disputes, as published by the firm
Common questions
Tenancy contracts, answered directly
General information, not advice on your contract. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts.
Should a tenancy contract be reviewed by a lawyer before signing?
It is generally advisable, particularly for higher-value tenancies or where terms have been negotiated rather than taken from a standard form. A short review before signing can identify terms that create risk later, such as unclear renewal, maintenance or exit provisions.
What is a lease breach, and what can be done about it?
A breach is a failure to comply with a term of the tenancy contract, by either party - for example unauthorised use, unpaid rent, or a landlord's failure to carry out required maintenance. The available remedy depends on the term breached and the contract as a whole.
Can a tenancy contract be terminated early?
Early termination is possible in some circumstances, depending on what the contract itself provides and, in some cases, the general legal framework governing Dubai tenancies. Terminating without a proper basis can expose a party to a claim from the other side.
What happens if the landlord and tenant disagree about renewal terms?
Where the parties cannot agree on renewal terms - including a disputed rent increase - the matter can, if unresolved, be raised at the Rental Disputes Center. See rent increase disputes where the disagreement is specifically about the rent.
Does MBM draft tenancy contracts, or only review existing ones?
Both. MBM drafts tenancy contracts for landlords, reviews contracts for tenants before signing, and negotiates terms on behalf of either party.
What terms are most commonly disputed in a Dubai tenancy contract?
Maintenance responsibility, renewal and rent-increase mechanics, permitted use of the property, and the conditions for early termination are among the most commonly disputed terms.
Is a tenancy contract enforceable if it was not registered with Ejari?
Ejari registration is generally required for a Dubai tenancy and is relied on by the Rental Disputes Center and other authorities. An unregistered contract can create practical difficulties, though the position depends on the specific circumstances.
Can MBM negotiate tenancy terms on my behalf before I sign?
Yes. MBM can review a proposed contract, identify terms to negotiate, and communicate with the other party or their representative on your behalf.
What should I do if the other party is not honouring the tenancy contract?
Start by having the contract and the alleged breach reviewed, then raise the matter formally. Whether the next step is negotiation or a filing at the Rental Disputes Center depends on the term in question and how the other party responds.
How much does tenancy contract advice cost in Dubai?
The initial consultation with MBM is free. Cost thereafter depends on whether the work is a contract review, drafting, negotiation, or a dispute. MBM provides a scope and fee position before you instruct.
Free consultation
Tell us about your contract
Tell us briefly about your matter. Our team will review your enquiry and advise you on the appropriate next step. Everything you send is treated as confidential.
- +971 4 570 0204Dubai office · Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Send the contract as a photo if it is easier
- info@mbm-co.comAttach the contract and any relevant correspondence
Practice area: Rental & Tenancy Law
Jurisdiction: Dubai & Sharjah, UAE
Last reviewed: September 2026
Thank you — your enquiry is with our team.
A member of the MBM team will review what you have sent and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
A clear contract prevents most tenancy disputes. Get it checked before you sign.
Whether you need a contract drafted, reviewed, or a term enforced, the earlier the document is in front of us, the more we can do. The first consultation is free.