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Tenancy LawOctober 2026 · 5 min read
Rental Disputes Centre Dubai: Appeals, Deadlines & Rules
Last updated 25 October 2026
If a tenancy dispute can't be settled, it goes to Dubai's Rental Disputes Centre. Decree No. 26 of 2013 sets out exactly how the Centre works — here are the rules that matter.
What the Centre can hear
The Centre has exclusive jurisdiction over rent disputes between landlords and tenants of property in Dubai and in free zones, including counterclaims and urgent or interim applications — except free zones that have their own tribunals for rent disputes.
Deadline: 15 days from the day after the judgment hearing (or from service, if you never appeared).
Claims under AED 100,000: final, except eviction judgments, jurisdiction errors, relief not requested or not addressed, and invalid representation or service.
Money judgments: deposit half the amount to have the appeal admitted (the chairman can waive or reduce it).
How long do I have to appeal a Rental Disputes Centre judgment?
15 days from the day following the hearing at which the judgment was issued. If you never appeared or filed a defence, the 15 days run from when you are served with the judgment (Decree 26 of 2013, Article 18).
Can every RDC judgment be appealed?
No. Judgments on claims under AED 100,000 are final, except in listed cases — including eviction judgments, jurisdiction errors, relief not requested, and invalid service (Article 17).
Do I have to pay anything to appeal a money judgment?
Yes — to have the appeal admitted, the party ordered to pay must deposit half the judgment amount with the Centre, unless the chairman waives or reduces it (Article 18).
How fast does the RDC decide cases?
Tribunals must decide within 30 days of the claim file being referred to them, extendable for the same period (Article 16).
Can the dispute be settled without a hearing?
The Centre's Mediation and Conciliation Directorate can settle disputes amicably, except urgent or interim applications (Article 10).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to appeal a Rental Disputes Centre judgment?+
15 days from the day following the hearing at which the judgment was issued. If you never appeared or filed a defence, the 15 days run from when you are served with the judgment (Decree 26 of 2013, Article 18).
Can every RDC judgment be appealed?+
No. Judgments on claims under AED 100,000 are final, except in listed cases — including eviction judgments, jurisdiction errors, relief not requested, and invalid service (Article 17).
Do I have to pay anything to appeal a money judgment?+
Yes — to have the appeal admitted, the party ordered to pay must deposit half the judgment amount with the Centre, unless the chairman waives or reduces it (Article 18).
How fast does the RDC decide cases?+
Tribunals must decide within 30 days of the claim file being referred to them, extendable for the same period (Article 16).
Can the dispute be settled without a hearing?+
The Centre's Mediation and Conciliation Directorate can settle disputes amicably, except urgent or interim applications (Article 10).