A villa owner in Dubai whose property is currently rented out asked what legal process must be followed to reclaim the home in order to live in it as a primary residence, how much notice must be given to the tenants, how it must be served, and whether there are restrictions on the use of the property after the tenants leave.

Answer: Pursuant to your queries, as you own a villa in the emirate of Dubai, the provisions of the Dubai amended rent law are applicable.

In the emirate of Dubai, a landlord may evict a tenant before expiry or upon expiry of the tenancy contract. In your case, as you intend to reside in the villa owned by you, the conditions prescribed for eviction fall under the provision of eviction of the tenant upon expiry of the tenancy contract. A landlord may evict a tenant from a rented premises by serving twelve (12) months’ notice through a notary public if,

(i) a landlord wishes to demolish and reconstruct the rented property upon obtaining permission from competent local authorities,

(ii) the restoration or repair of rented property cannot be carried out while the tenant is occupying the same,

(iii) if the landlord or his or her first-degree family members wish to reside in the rented property if the landlord does not have any other alternative property to reside in the emirate of Dubai provided he or she resides in the same for at least two (2) years upon obtaining repossession of the rented property from a tenant.

Once the landlord regains possession for personal use, the property cannot be leased again for two years.

(Source: Khaleej Times)