Filing a rental case in Dubai costs 3.5% of the annual rent. Half of that fee comes back if both sides settle at the first stage. That one rule explains how the RERA dispute centre works: it pushes landlords and tenants to agree before a judge decides. For leasing agents, knowing the process is part of the job, because clients call their agent before they call a lawyer.
Disputes rise when the market shifts. In 2026, softer rents in some communities mean more arguments over renewals, deposits and early exits. An agent who can explain the options calmly keeps both clients.
This guide explains what the centre handles, what it costs, the documents that decide cases and the step-by-step filing process. It also clears up common myths and shows how agents can prevent disputes in the first place.
Key Takeaways
- The RERA dispute centre is the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC), the judicial arm of the Dubai Land Department.
- The filing fee is 3.5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000.
- Every case starts with conciliation. A settlement at this stage returns half the filing fee.
- An Ejari-registered contract, written notices and payment records decide most cases.
- Eviction for the owner’s use or sale needs 12 months’ notice by notary or registered mail.
What Is the RERA Dispute Centre?
The RERA dispute centre is the common name for Dubai’s Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). This court hears landlord and tenant cases under the Dubai Land Department. Decree No. 26 of 2013 set it up.
It handles rent increases, unpaid rent, eviction, security deposits, maintenance and early termination. DIFC tenancies fall outside it.
What Cases Does the Rental Disputes Centre Handle?
- Rent increases: challenges to a rise that breaks the RERA rental index or the 90-day notice rule.
- Unpaid rent: claims for missed payments or bounced cheques.
- Eviction: cases brought by landlords for non-payment, breach, own use, sale or major renovation.
- Security deposits: claims for deposits held back after the tenant moves out.
- Maintenance: disputes over repairs and who pays for them.
- Early termination: claims over penalties when a tenant leaves before the contract ends.
How Much Does It Cost to File at the RDC?
These are the published charges, as set out in current guides to the RDC fee schedule:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee for rent-based cases | 3.5% of annual rent (minimum AED 500, maximum AED 20,000) |
| Filing fee for money claims | 3.5% of the amount claimed (maximum AED 15,000) |
| Knowledge and innovation fees | AED 10 each |
| Process service fee | AED 100 |
| Filing through a trustee centre | AED 130 plus VAT |
| Executing an eviction judgment | 1% of annual rent (maximum AED 5,000) |
Settle at conciliation and the centre refunds half the filing fee, under Article 10 of Decree No. 26 of 2013. On an AED 80,000 lease, the filing fee is AED 2,800, so settling early saves AED 1,400.
Which Documents Decide a Rental Dispute?
Cases are won on paper, not on argument. Collect these before filing:
- The Ejari-registered tenancy contract
- Passport or Emirates ID copies for both parties
- All written notices, with proof of delivery
- Payment records, receipts and copies of cheques
- The deposit receipt and move-in and move-out condition reports
- Emails and WhatsApp messages that show what each side agreed
In rental disputes, the side with the cleaner records usually wins.
How to File a Case at the RERA Dispute Centre: Step by Step
- Try to settle first. Put the issue in writing and give the other side a clear deadline to respond.
- Gather your documents. Use the checklist above. Translate Arabic or other documents if the centre asks.
- File the case. Submit it online through the DLD website or the Dubai REST app, or in person at a trustee centre.
- Pay the filing fee. The centre works it out from the annual rent or the amount claimed.
- Attend conciliation. A conciliator meets both sides. A settlement here is binding and returns half the fee.
- Go to the judicial committee if needed. If conciliation fails, the case moves to a hearing and a judgment.
- Appeal or enforce. Either side can appeal higher-value cases. A winning party can then ask the centre to enforce the judgment.
Most rental disputes start with a missed date or a lost message. Leadrat logs every tenant conversation, tracks renewal and notice dates and keeps payment records on each client file. Book a free Leadrat demo.
Myth vs Fact: Common RDC Misconceptions
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| You need a lawyer to file. | Many landlords and tenants file and attend conciliation on their own. |
| A landlord can evict a tenant at any time with notice. | Eviction for own use, sale or renovation needs 12 months’ notice by notary or registered mail. |
| A landlord can raise rent at renewal whenever the market rises. | Increases must follow the RERA rental index and need 90 days’ written notice. |
| The filing fee is lost no matter what. | The centre refunds half the fee if the case settles at conciliation. |
| Verbal agreements count just as much. | Written records, especially the Ejari contract and notices, carry the most weight. |
DLD has confirmed that the 90-day notice rule still applies under the Smart Rental Index. Our RERA rental index guide explains the increase bands in detail.
How Can Leasing Agents Prevent Disputes?
- Register every contract on Ejari as soon as it is signed.
- Track key dates. Set reminders for renewals, the 90-day notice window and cheque dates.
- Put agreements in writing. Confirm any change to rent, repairs or payment dates by email or message.
- Document the unit’s condition with dated photos at move-in and move-out.
- Keep every message on the client record. WhatsApp CRM stops key chats living only on one agent’s phone.
Dispute prevention is really record-keeping. A CRM built for real estate makes it automatic, and clear pipeline stages show which tenancies need attention this month.
The Bottom Line
The RERA dispute centre is fast, affordable and built to settle cases early. Most disputes turn on three things: a registered contract, written notice and clean payment records. Agents who keep those in order protect their landlords, their tenants and their own reputation. New to the market? Start with our guide on how to become a real estate agent in Dubai.
The best dispute is the one that never reaches the centre, and that is usually down to the agent’s paperwork.
Managing hundreds of Dubai tenancies? Leadrat brings Bayut, Property Finder and Dubizzle leads, renewal reminders and tenant chats into one dashboard. Get your free demo today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RERA dispute centre in Dubai?
It is the common name for the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). The RDC is the court under the Dubai Land Department that hears landlord and tenant cases.
How much does it cost to file a rental case in Dubai?
The filing fee is 3.5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000. You also pay small knowledge, innovation and service fees.
Do I get the RDC fee back if we settle?
Yes. If the case settles at the conciliation stage, the centre refunds half the filing fee.
Can I file a rental dispute online in Dubai?
Yes. You can file through the Dubai Land Department website or the Dubai REST app. You can also file in person at a real estate services trustee centre.
How much notice does a landlord need to give for eviction?
For own use, sale or major renovation, the landlord must give 12 months’ notice before the contract ends. The notice must go by notary public or registered mail.
Does the RDC handle DIFC tenancies?
No. Tenancies inside DIFC follow DIFC’s own leasing rules and courts.
