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Key takeaways
- The RDC was established by Decree No. 26 of 2013 and sits under the Dubai Land Department.
- It has exclusive authority over almost every landlord-tenant dispute in Dubai, except properties in free zones with their own tribunals.
- A standard rental claim costs 3.5% of the annual rent, from AED 500 up to AED 20,000.
- Most straightforward cases, such as deposit or rent disputes, are resolved in four to eight weeks.
- Appeals must be filed within 15 days of the judgment, and usually apply to claims of AED 100,000 or more.
How the RDC came to be
The law behind the centre
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum established the RDC through Decree No. 26 of 2013. The goal was a faster, simpler path to resolving rental conflicts than the general court system offered. Landlord-tenant relationships themselves are still governed by Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended.
What changed in 2019
Law No. 6 of 2019 widened the centre's scope to include disputes over jointly owned property. That means owners' association fees and shared building issues can also land at the RDC now, not just tenancy disagreements.
What disputes does the RDC handle
Cases inside its jurisdiction
The RDC covers rent disputes, eviction cases, and counterclaims tied to a lease. It also handles urgent interim orders, appeals of its own rulings, and enforcement once a judgment is issued. A dispute over an eviction notice filed without proper cause, for example, falls squarely under this remit.
Cases outside its jurisdiction
Free zones with their own tribunals, such as DIFC, handle their rental disputes separately. Finance-lease agreements and a small group of long-term contracts under Law No. 7 of 2006 also sit outside the RDC's reach. Most Dubai landlords and tenants cannot simply agree to skip the centre and go elsewhere.
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How the RDC process works
Filing and conciliation
A case usually starts with an attempt at amicable settlement. A conciliation officer reviews the claim and tries to broker an agreement, often within seven to 15 days. Many disputes over things like security deposit deductions end here without ever reaching a judge.
First instance and judgment
If conciliation fails, the case moves to a First Instance Committee. Judges review the evidence, hear both sides, and issue a written judgment. Hearings are often held remotely through tele-litigation, so a tenant does not always need to appear in person.
Appeal and enforcement
A party unhappy with the judgment can usually appeal within 15 days. This mostly applies to claims of AED 100,000 or more. Once a judgment is final, the Judgment Execution Department can enforce it, including evictions and unpaid rent recovery.
What you need to file a case
Required documents
Every case needs an Ejari-registered tenancy contract and a valid Emirates ID or trade licence. A bank letter showing the claimant's IBAN is required too. Eviction claims also need a notarised notice with proof it reached the other party. Everything must be in Arabic, or come with a certified translation.
Filing fees
A standard rental claim costs 3.5% of the annual rent, capped at AED 20,000, with a AED 500 minimum. Purely monetary claims follow the same 3.5% rule, but cap out at AED 15,000. Small extras, such as a process service fee of around AED 100, are added on top.
How long does a case usually take
Registration takes about a day, and the first hearing is normally set at least a week after payment. A simple case, like an unpaid deposit, often wraps up in four to eight weeks. Contested cases with appeals can run for several months instead.
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How to avoid ending up at the RDC
Most disputes trace back to the same root cause: missing paperwork or missed payments. A landlord without a signed tenancy contract or clear rent records struggles at the RDC. The same goes for a tenant. This is exactly where good record-keeping earns its worth.
Property management software, like the one built into Keyper's platform, keeps every payment, notice, and contract in one place. It gives landlords and tenants a clear paper trail if a disagreement ever does reach the centre. Keyper also runs Rent Now, Pay Monthly, so tenants pay rent in instalments instead of one lump sum. This removes a common trigger for late-payment disputes.
Landlords who would rather avoid the admin can work with a trustworthy property management partner like Keyper instead. It keeps documentation audit-ready from day one, well before any dispute ever starts.
FAQs
What is the RDC in Dubai?
The RDC is Dubai's specialised court for rental disputes, set up under Decree No. 26 of 2013. It sits under the Dubai Land Department and handles nearly all landlord-tenant conflicts in the emirate.
How much does it cost to file a case with the RDC?
Standard rental claims cost 3.5% of the annual rent, from AED 500 up to AED 20,000. Purely monetary claims follow the same percentage but cap at AED 15,000.
How long does an RDC case take to resolve?
Simple cases, such as deposit disputes, usually take four to eight weeks from filing to judgment. Contested cases that go to appeal can take several months to fully close.
A rental dispute rarely starts as a legal matter. It usually starts as a missed call, a late payment, or a deposit that never showed up. Knowing how the RDC works puts landlords and tenants in a stronger position. Keeping solid records before a disagreement begins helps even more.
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