Rent disputes in Abu Dhabi go to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committees of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), set up under Law No. 20 of 2006 as amended. ADJD's service manual lists the filing fee as 5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 100 and a maximum of AED 40,000, plus AED 300 to notify each defendant. You need a lease registered with the municipality (Tawtheeq). Decisions in disputes worth up to AED 50,000 are final. Above that, you have 15 days to appeal.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for tenants and landlords of property in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including Al Ain and Al Dhafra, who disagree about rent, eviction, repairs, deposits or other lease terms.
The law does not apply to agricultural land, government-owned homes leased for housing, ADNOC property leased for petroleum services, hotels and furnished apartments, or housing occupied because of work (Article 2). Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman have their own bodies. See our guides on Sharjah and Ajman, or try the UAE authority navigator.
Which body hears the case?
As of September 2026, ADJD's website still describes the body as the Rental Dispute Settlement Committees, working under ADJD. It considers disputes arising from the landlord and tenant relationship "as a matter of urgency", and interim applications from either party. Articles 24 and 26 of the law, as replaced by Law No. 4 of 2010, create three levels:
| Level | Body | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| First instance | Rental Dispute Settlement Committee, chaired by a judge | All lease disputes covered by the law |
| Appeal | Appeal Committee, chaired by an appeal judge | Claims above AED 50,000, within 15 days |
| Cassation | Cassation Committee in Abu Dhabi city | Claims above AED 300,000 (ADJD's manual also lists unspecified-value claims), within 30 days |
The value limits and deadlines come from Article 28 as replaced by Law No. 16 of 2017, as shown in ADREC's published Arabic text of the law. ADJD's service manual also gives 15 days for a rental appeal and 30 days for cassation. Time runs from the day after a judgment given in the parties' presence. For a judgment in absence, it runs from the day after notification or proven knowledge.
Al Reem and Al Maryah islands. These are part of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). ADGM's dispute resolution FAQs for Al Reem tenants say to check the jurisdiction clause in your contract first. If your tenancy is registered with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, a claim goes to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee in Abu Dhabi. If there is no such clause or the lease is not registered, ADGM Courts may have jurisdiction.
How much does it cost to file?
ADJD's Registration Services Manual (version 3 of 2023) lists these fees for rental matters:
| Service | Fee listed by ADJD |
|---|---|
| Rental claim, first instance | 5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 100, maximum AED 40,000, plus AED 300 per defendant notice |
| Executive wording on a registered lease | 5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 100, maximum AED 40,000, plus AED 150 |
| Payment order (including rent) | 5% of the claim, minimum AED 100, maximum AED 40,000 |
| Appeal of a rental judgment | 5% of the claim, minimum AED 100, maximum AED 10,000, plus AED 300 per notice |
| Cassation of a rental judgment | AED 2,000 fixed fee and AED 3,000 security deposit, plus AED 300 per notice |
Third-party websites quote other figures, such as 4% or different caps. They are not official. ADJD says fees follow the Abu Dhabi judicial fees law, and you are told the fee before registration is completed. Check the amount at registration, as of September 2026.
Why the Tawtheeq contract matters
Executive Council Chairman Resolution No. 4 of 2011 requires every lease to be registered in the municipality's lease register, now known as Tawtheeq. Only registered contracts are accepted by the authorities it names (Article 4). ADJD lists "lease attested by the Municipality Department in Abu Dhabi" as a required document for a rental claim.
If the landlord failed to register the contract, the tenant can ask the committee for a judgment confirming the signature and ordering registration, with the landlord paying the fee. The tenant can also ask for an interim measure meanwhile (Article 6).
A registered lease can also be enforced more directly. ADJD offers a service to affix the executive wording to an attested lease for unpaid rent, eviction or ADDC clearance. For eviction because a party does not want to renew, the applicant must show that legal notice was given in time.
Step by step
- Check the law applies. Confirm your property is not in an excluded category and check for an ADGM jurisdiction clause.
- Find your Tawtheeq contract. If it was never registered, note who was responsible.
- Put the problem in writing. Send a dated message setting out the issue and what you want.
- Keep paying rent. If the landlord refuses payment, Article 11 lets you deposit rent in the committee's name with a national bank. ADJD has a rental deposit e-service.
- Organise your evidence. Use the evidence checklist builder.
- Arrange translations. ADJD requires documents in Arabic, translated by an office approved by the UAE Ministry of Justice.
- File the claim. ADJD lists its website, licensed law firms and typing centres as channels, with registration in about 2 working days.
- Pay the fee after approval. You then receive a registration receipt with the hearing date.
- Attend the hearing. ADJD says most hearings are held by video link.
- Track appeal deadlines. Add the 15-day or 30-day window to the legal deadline organiser. Cassation must be filed through a lawyer.
Documents checklist
- Tawtheeq-registered tenancy contract and renewals
- Emirates ID, or trade licence for a company
- Notarised power of attorney, if someone acts for you
- ADJD claim form for rental disputes
- Rent cheques, transfers and receipts
- Notices and messages between the parties, with delivery proof
- Photos, repair invoices and utility bills, if relevant
- Arabic translations from an approved legal translation office
- Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for documents issued abroad
For hearing preparation, see preparing documents and evidence for a UAE hearing.
Common mistakes
- Filing without a registered lease. ADJD lists the attested lease as a required document.
- Guessing the fee from websites. Use ADJD's figures and confirm at registration.
- Missing the 15-day appeal window. Time starts the day after the judgment, not the day you read it.
- Assuming every decision can be appealed. Decisions on claims up to AED 50,000 are final.
- Withholding rent. Use the rent deposit route if the landlord refuses payment.
- Ignoring ADGM rules on Al Reem. Check your contract's jurisdiction clause first.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Consider licensed advice if the claim is above AED 50,000, if you face eviction, if the property is in an ADGM area, or if you need an interim measure. Cassation must be filed through a lawyer registered with the court.
The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Who hears rent disputes in Abu Dhabi?
The Rental Dispute Settlement Committees of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, with Appeal Committees and a Cassation Committee above them.
What is the filing fee?
ADJD's service manual lists 5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 100 and a maximum of AED 40,000, plus AED 300 for notifying each defendant; confirm the amount at registration.
Must my contract be registered on Tawtheeq?
ADJD lists a municipality-attested lease as a required document, and a tenant whose landlord did not register can ask the committee to order registration.
Can I file online?
Yes; ADJD lists its website, licensed law firms and typing centres as filing channels.
Can I appeal a decision?
Only if the claim exceeds AED 50,000, within 15 days from the day after the judgment; cassation is available above AED 300,000 within 30 days.
Do my documents need to be in Arabic?
Yes; ADJD requires translation into Arabic by an office approved by the UAE Ministry of Justice.
What if my landlord refuses to accept rent?
Article 11 of the law lets you deposit the rent in the committee's name with a national bank, which counts as payment of the amount deposited.
What is the ADREC settlement centre?
ADREC's Real Estate Dispute Settlement Centre offers amicable settlement for listed real estate disputes, including long-term leases, after registration with ADJD; check whether your dispute qualifies.
Official sources
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Rental Dispute Settlement Committees
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Registration Services Manual (2023, PDF)
- Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre — Tenancy legislation in Arabic, including Law No. 20 of 2006 as amended
- Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre — Executive Council Chairman Resolution No. 4 of 2011 on lease registration (PDF)
- ADGM — Al Reem Island expansion dispute resolution FAQs (PDF)
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.