The Sharjah skyline. ARCHIVE

A newly issued law on property leasing in Sharjah protects tenants from eviction during the first three years of their rental contract. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued the Property Leasing law on Monday (September 23). The law applies to residential, commercial, industrial, and professional leases within the Emirate of Sharjah. Under the new law, landlords cannot request tenants to vacate properties within the initial three years of a residential lease and five years for commercial or industrial properties. This law offers additional security for tenants by laying out specific conditions under which eviction may be considered, including non-payment of rent or legal violations. Key provisions include: -Tenants must be notified three months in advance if the landlord seeks possession for personal use or for immediate family members. -Landlords wishing to demolish or substantially rebuild a property must meet specific regulatory conditions. -The rental contract does not terminate upon transfer of ownership unless both parties mutually agree. Landlords must register lease contracts with the municipality or authorized entities within 15 days of drafting to ensure compliance, or face fines. Tenants also have protection against premature eviction without just cause and can seek compensation if evicted unfairly. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Full text of new Sharjah rental law of 2024

New Sharjah law on eviction

1. The landlord may not request the tenant to vacate the leased property before the expiry of (3) years from the date of commencement of the lease relationship for residential use and (5) years for commercial, industrial or professional use, unless one of the following reasons arise: A. If the tenant fails to pay the rent or any instalment thereof within (15) days from the date it is due. B. The tenant violates any of his legal or contractual obligations and does not remove the violation within (30) days from the date of notification by the landlord. C. If the tenant assigns all or part of the lease contract or re-rents all or part of the leased property in violation of the provisions of the present law and its executive regulations, without prejudice to the provisions of the transfer of ownership of the commercial premises stipulated by law. D. If the tenant uses the leased property or allows others to use it for a purpose other than that specified in the lease contract or in violation of its terms or uses it for purposes that conflict with public order or public morals. E. If the landlord wishes to demolish the leased property or rebuild it or carry out comprehensive maintenance that prevents the tenant from being present in the property in accordance with the conditions specified in the executive regulations of this law. F. If the landlord wishes to occupy the leased property for the purpose of housing for himself or one of his first-degree adult relatives, provided that: A. He does not own another property suitable for housing in the area of the municipality's jurisdiction. B. Notify the tenant of the eviction request within a period of not less than three months from the date set for eviction. C. The landlord himself or one of his first-degree adult relatives shall occupy the leased property within two months after it has been vacated by the tenant for a period of one year without interruption. 2. If the landlord does not comply with the conditions set forth in clauses (e) and (f) of this article, the tenant shall have the right to claim compensation for the damages incurred by the eviction before the centre. Source: Law No. (5) of 2024 on Property Leasing in the Emirate of Sharjah
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