Landlords and agents often add pages of 'additional terms'. Some are fine. Some conflict with Dubai law — and the DLD's own contract says those don't count.
The rule: Term 12 of the DLD contract
The official DLD Unified Tenancy Contract states: 'Any additional condition will not be considered in case it conflicts with law.' The contract is also subject to Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended (Term 11).
Clauses most likely to conflict with the law
- Automatic rent increases above the Decree 43 bands (0/5/10/15/20% depending on how far below the index average your rent is).
- Rent increases without 90 days' notice before expiry (Article 14 — unless otherwise agreed; the DLD applies the 90-day rule to index-based increases).
- Eviction 'at the landlord's discretion' or on grounds not listed in Article 25.
- Eviction at expiry with less than 12 months' notice, or notice by WhatsApp instead of Notary Public / registered post (Article 25(2)).
- A right for one side to cancel a valid contract mid-term without an agreed clause (Article 7).
- Keeping the full deposit regardless of condition, or charging the tenant for ordinary wear and tear (Articles 17, 20, 21).
Check the text: Decree 43, Article 1, Article 14, Article 25, Article 7, Article 20, Article 21.
Clauses the law lets you agree
- Who handles maintenance (Article 16 applies 'unless otherwise agreed').
- Who pays government fees (Article 22 — 'unless the Lease Contract states otherwise').
- A different notice period for changing terms (Article 14 — 'unless otherwise agreed').
- An early-termination clause with notice and a penalty.
- Whether leasehold improvements can be removed at the end (Article 23).
Write them clearly in the addendum — see our additional terms guide.
Whether a specific clause is enforceable depends on its wording and the facts; the Rental Disputes Centre decides. Get advice for a live dispute.