I need a contract drafted
A contract drafted to protect your position on maintenance, use, renewal and termination. First we check: the property, the intended use and what you want from renewal. Talk to us about drafting
Tenancy contracts · Dubai & Sharjah
Tenancy Contract Lawyer Dubai
About to sign, renew or end a tenancy contract? Have it checked first, because the terms are hard to change afterwards.
A lease lawyer to draft or review your tenancy contract before you sign, and to enforce it when the other side does not honour it.
- High success rate in the matters we handle
- Free first consultation
- Drafting, review and disputes
- Landlords, tenants & businesses
Tell us about your tenancy contract
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Tenancy contracts
Tenancy contract lawyer in Dubai: get the terms checked before they become a problem
A tenancy contract lawyer in Dubai drafts, reviews and negotiates the contract before you sign, and acts when it has already been breached, is being ended early or is in dispute at renewal. MBM works with landlords, tenants and businesses on both sides of the document, and the first consultation is the easiest moment to find out what the contract really says.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. You do not need a perfect copy to call. Send us the draft or the signed contract and we read it the way a tribunal will, before it becomes a dispute. Whether you are looking for a lease lawyer in Dubai or a lease agreement lawyer in Dubai, we take the legal work off your shoulders and you will always know where the matter stands.
Which of these is your situation?
I am about to sign
A review of the proposed terms before you commit. First we check: the rent and payment terms, the renewal and exit clauses and anything unusual. Talk to us about a contract review · Clauses
Terms are still open
You want the open points negotiated before signature. First we check: which terms matter most to you and which are standard. Talk to us about negotiating terms
The other side is in breach
A term has not been honoured. First we check: what the contract requires, what happened and what proof exists. Talk to us about a breach · Breach
I want to end the lease early
Whether early termination is available depends on the contract. First we check: the termination clause, the notice terms and the risk of exit. Talk to us about early termination · Early exit
We disagree at renewal
A dispute over terms other than rent. First we check: the renewal clause and what each side has said in writing. Talk to us about a renewal dispute · Renewal
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 registered through Ejari, the formal record of a Dubai tenancy, which is routinely required when tenancy matters are dealt with administratively or before the Rental Disputes Center. Beyond that statutory framework, the specific terms of the contract itself, including 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. As reported, a contract that is not ended generally renews on the same terms for the shorter of the same period or one year, so the renewal clause is worth reading even if you plan to stay. This page describes the general framework. It is not advice on your contract.
What we check in every contract
- Renewal and increase mechanicsHow renewal happens, and how any increase is to be calculated.
- Maintenance responsibilityWho is responsible for what, and how repairs are requested and actioned.
- Permitted useWhat the property may and may not be used for.
- Termination conditionsWhat triggers early termination, and on what notice.
- Ejari alignmentDoes the registered tenancy match what the parties actually agreed?
Clause checklist
Lease lawyer Dubai: clauses to check before signing
A lease lawyer reads a tenancy contract for what happens when something goes wrong, because that is what disputes are decided on. The table is a general checklist for a tenancy contract review in Dubai. Your contract and the property decide how much weight each row carries.
| Clause | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parties and property | Names, authority to sign, a clear description of the unit | A mistake here can undermine everything else |
| Term and start date | The period, the start date and how they line up with the Ejari record | Renewal and notice dates are counted from these |
| Rent and payment | The amount, the payment dates and the method | Late-payment arguments start from this wording |
| Increases | How any increase at renewal is to be calculated. See rent increase dispute lawyer Dubai | Increase disputes are decided on the index and the notice |
| Maintenance and repairs | Who does what, and how a request is made | Repair disputes often turn on unclear wording |
| Security deposit | The amount, when it is returned and what can be deducted. See tenant lawyer Dubai | Deposit disputes are decided on the contract and the condition record |
| Permitted use | What the unit may be used for | Use outside the contract can be a basis for dispute |
| Subletting and assignment | Whether either is allowed, and on what conditions | Unauthorised sharing of a unit can be a breach |
| Early termination | What triggers it, on what notice and at what cost | This is the clause that decides an early exit |
| Renewal | How renewal happens, and what notice is needed | Disagreements at renewal are common |
| Ejari registration | Who registers, and whether the registered terms match | The registered tenancy is relied on by the authorities |
| Addenda and side letters | Anything added after signature | Terms outside the main document can be forgotten |
Tenancy contract review in Dubai: what you leave with
A tenancy contract review in Dubai should leave you with a written view of the risks, the clauses to negotiate and the points to settle before you sign. We tell you plainly where the contract works against you and what the realistic options are, including walking away.
Drafting
Tenancy contract drafting and negotiation
Where we draft or amend a tenancy contract, the terms are written to be clear and enforceable, not just standard, and ready for Ejari registration. We draft for landlords, review for tenants, and negotiate on behalf of either party where terms are still open.
What MBM handles when drafting or negotiating
- Drafting a contract for a landlord covering maintenance, use, renewal and termination.
- Reviewing a proposed contract for a tenant and flagging anything unusual or unclear.
- Negotiating directly with the other party or their representative.
- Aligning the contract with what will be registered on Ejari.
For shops, offices and warehouses, see our commercial tenancy lawyer Dubai page, where the lease is read as a business document.
About to sign a lease or renew one? Send us the draft and the dates. Your first consultation is free.
Disputes
Lease breach, early termination and renewal disputes
When a tenancy contract is not honoured, the first question is what the contract actually requires, and the response should be proportionate and defensible. We assess the contractual position before any formal step is taken.
Lease breach lawyer in Dubai
A breach is a failure to comply with a term of the 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. A lease breach lawyer in Dubai reviews the term, the evidence and the other side’s response before choosing between negotiation and a filing at the Rental Disputes Center.
- Reviewing the contract and the alleged breach.
- A formal written notice or demand, where that is the right step.
- Filing or defending at the Rental Disputes Center if the matter is not resolved.
Early termination of a lease in Dubai
Early termination of a lease in Dubai 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, so the termination clause and the notice terms are checked first. As reported, neither party can generally end the tenancy unilaterally during the term, which is why the early-exit clause matters. Requirements change, so we confirm the current position at your first consultation. For eviction by a landlord, see eviction lawyer Dubai.
- Whether an early exit is available and on what notice.
- The risk of leaving without a proper basis.
- Negotiating an agreed exit in writing.
Lease renewal disputes
A lease renewal dispute in Dubai is a disagreement at renewal over terms other than rent, such as maintenance, use or length. Where the parties cannot agree, including on a disputed rent increase, the matter can, if unresolved, be raised at the Rental Disputes Center. Where the dispute is specifically about a rent increase, see rent increase dispute lawyer Dubai.
Ejari
Ejari registration and why it matters
Ejari registration is the formal record of a Dubai tenancy and is routinely required when tenancy matters are dealt with administratively or before the Rental Disputes Center. An Ejari contract is the registered record of the tenancy, so it should match what the parties actually agreed.
An unregistered contract can create practical difficulties, though the position depends on the specific circumstances. As reported at the time of writing, Ejari registration costs AED 177.75 through the app or website and AED 220 at a Trustee Centre. Fees change, so check the current figure before you register. If your tenancy is not registered, or the registered details differ from the signed contract, tell us at the first consultation, and we will explain the options on your facts.
Ejari checks before you sign or renew
- Confirm that the registered rent, dates and parties match the contract.
- Keep the Ejari certificate with the contract.
- Ask what will change on the registration if the contract is amended or renewed.
Dubai and Sharjah
Dubai and Sharjah: which rules apply to your contract?
MBM has offices in Dubai Media City and in Al Khalidiya, Sharjah, and the rules that apply depend on where the property is.
Tenancy contracts in Sharjah
Sharjah operates its own distinct tenancy framework, so the Dubai rules should not be assumed to apply there. As we understand it, Sharjah Law No. 5 of 2024 provides for a three-year rent freeze, after which increases are capped and may be made only every two years. Requirements change, so we confirm the current position at your first consultation. MBM has a Sharjah office and advises on both frameworks. If your contract relates to a Sharjah property, tell us at the first consultation.
Rental issue router
Other rental problems: go straight to the right page
A tenancy contract question often sits next to another rental problem. Use these pages for the others, or start at the rental dispute lawyer Dubai hub.
- Eviction lawyer Dubai: eviction notices, validity checks and RDC eviction cases.
- Rent increase dispute lawyer Dubai: the RERA rental index and the 90-day notice.
- Tenant lawyer Dubai: deposits, repairs and tenants’ rights.
- Tenancy contract lawyer Dubai: you are here.
- Commercial tenancy lawyer Dubai: shop, office and warehouse leases.
- Landlord lawyer Dubai: unpaid rent, possession and RDC claims.
How it works
How MBM works on your tenancy contract
Whether the work is drafting, review or a dispute, the steps below are the order we usually follow. We tell you which ones your matter needs.
- Step 01
Free first consultation
Your first consultation is free. Tell us whether you are signing, renewing or in dispute, and send the contract. We say what stands out and what we need.
- Step 02
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. You receive a written view with a scope and fee position before you instruct us.
- Step 03
Draft, amend or negotiate
Terms are written to be enforceable and unambiguous, and where they are still open we communicate with the other side so you are not negotiating alone.
- Step 04
Address a breach or termination properly
We assess the contractual position before any formal step is taken, so the response is proportionate and defensible.
- Step 05
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.
- The dates that matterStart, renewal and any notice already given.
- A timeline of eventsAs you understand them, with dates where you can.
Avoid these
Common mistakes with tenancy contracts
- Signing a standard form without reading the renewal and termination clauses.
- Relying on a verbal promise that is not in the contract or an addendum.
- Letting the registered Ejari details drift away from the signed terms.
- Ending the tenancy early without checking the contract first.
- Treating a template from the internet as a substitute for a review of your own facts.
- Leaving a dispute unaddressed until renewal, when options narrow.
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, and MBM drafts and reviews contracts with the dispute in mind so that it does not happen.
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is founder-led, by Mohamed Badr, Founder & Managing Partner, who has 17 years of legal experience including commercial litigation. For a tenancy contract that means one team from the first read of the draft to the Rental Disputes Center if it comes to that, with plain-language advice at each step. MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side. That matters for owners who let property in Dubai from abroad and for tenants relocating from overseas.
- We act on both sides. Drafting for landlords and reviewing for tenants gives us a practical view of where contracts tend to fail, though never for both sides of the same matter.
- Litigation handled by the same team. The people drafting your contract are the people who would argue over it if it came to that.
- Straight answers on merits. If a breach claim or termination is weak, we tell you early. No outcome is guaranteed.
- Two offices. Dubai and Sharjah.
Fees
How fees work
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. If you decide to instruct us, we give you a scope and a fee position in writing before paid work starts.
Cost depends on whether the work is a contract review, drafting, negotiation or a dispute, and on its complexity. Tribunal fees depend on the matter and are separate from legal fees, and we explain which are likely to apply. We do not publish a price list because each contract and dispute is different.
Need a contract drafted, reviewed or enforced? Send us the document. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
MBM legal team
Who you will speak to about your tenancy contract
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Bring the contract, signed or draft, and we start from there.
Mohamed Badr
Founder & Managing Partner
Mohamed Badr leads MBM and has 17 years of legal experience. His career has included roles at law firms and multinational corporations in the UAE, advising businesses on high-stakes disputes, corporate restructuring and commercial litigation.
- Mana Ahmad Al HarmodiLawyer
- Mohamed KhamisLegal Consultant
- Sobhy BadrLegal Consultant
- Abdelsabour ElnasrLegal Associate
- Hamada KhedrLegal Associate
- Yasser ElbakryLegal Associate
- Afreen SiddiquiLegal Associate
Names and titles as published on mbm-co.com. Your first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah.
Common questions
Tenancy contracts in Dubai: your questions answered
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.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. MBM’s first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your situation and your contract. If you then choose to instruct MBM, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before any paid work starts.
What does a tenancy contract lawyer do?
A tenancy contract lawyer drafts the contract, reviews a proposed one before you sign, negotiates open terms and acts where a term has been breached, the tenancy is being ended early or a renewal is disputed. MBM does all of these for landlords and tenants, though not for both sides of the same matter.
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. As reported, neither party can generally end the tenancy unilaterally during the term, so the early-exit clause matters.
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.
Does my tenancy contract renew automatically?
As reported, a contract that is not ended generally renews on the same terms for the shorter of the same period or one year. Check your own renewal clause and any notice terms, because what you agreed in writing matters. Requirements change, so we confirm the current position at your first consultation.
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. The clause table above shows what to check for each.
Is a tenancy contract enforceable if it was not registered with Ejari?
Ejari registration is the formal record of a Dubai tenancy and is routinely required when tenancy matters are dealt with administratively or before the Rental Disputes Center. An unregistered contract can create practical difficulties, though the position depends on the specific circumstances. Tell us what has and has not been registered and we will explain where you stand.
How much does Ejari registration cost?
As reported at the time of writing, Ejari registration costs AED 177.75 through the app or website and AED 220 at a Trustee Centre. Fees change, so check the current figure before you register.
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.
Can I use an online template for a tenancy contract?
A template can be a starting point, but it is not a substitute for checking the terms against your property, your intended use and what you have agreed. Most disputes trace back to a term that was unclear from the start, so have the final version reviewed before you sign.
Which clauses matter most in a tenancy contract?
Renewal and increase mechanics, maintenance responsibility, permitted use and termination conditions, together with the deposit, subletting and Ejari terms. See the clause checklist on this page.
Does this page cover shop, office or warehouse leases?
Commercial leases raise extra questions, such as fit-out, permitted use and service charges. See our commercial tenancy lawyer Dubai page, which reads the lease as a business document.
Does the same tenancy contract law apply in Sharjah?
No. Sharjah operates its own distinct tenancy framework. As we understand it, Sharjah Law No. 5 of 2024 provides for a three-year rent freeze, after which increases are capped and may be made only every two years. MBM has a Sharjah office and advises on both frameworks, but the Dubai rules should not be assumed to apply.
How much does tenancy contract advice cost in Dubai?
Cost depends on whether the work is a contract review, drafting, negotiation or a dispute, and on its complexity. The first consultation is free. MBM provides a scope and fee position before you instruct.
Free first consultation
Tell us about your tenancy contract
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. Tell us briefly what has happened. A member of MBM’s legal team will review your enquiry and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
If you are about to sign, or a deadline or a hearing is close, please call rather than waiting for a reply.
- Call +971 4 570 0204Dubai office
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Send a message and the documents you have
- info@mbm-co.comSend the details and documents by email
Dubai · Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers – Tower B, Dubai Media City
Sharjah · Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District
Practice area: Rental & Tenancy LawOffices: Dubai & SharjahContent updated: October 2026
Tell us about your tenancy contract
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
A clear contract prevents most tenancy disputes. Get it checked before you sign.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. 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.