Finding the ideal spot to live is no easy task. You find the right property after weeks of sifting through listings and pulling along to countless viewings. After this struggle, it may be tempting to keep some secrets from your landlord in order to avoid losing your dream property in a city with a large population like Dubai. But stay out of that route. It is critical to respect and communicate with landlords in the city. Wouldn’t you want that if you were a landlord?
Of course, this is not to say that you have to disclose every element of your life and tell them about your dinner plans every day.
Hiding your Furry Friends
Anyone who has ever had a pet knows how impossible it is to envision life without them. It’s only natural that you’d want to continue living with your canine, feline, or feathery friends. It’s also true that having a pet may be frowned upon by many landlords. Some, nevertheless, will not. So, if you have a pet and are reluctant to tell your landlord about it, don’t. Taking your pets in to avoid this topic will not work in the long run. If you already have a pet, look for a pet-friendly neighbourhood. If you plan to adopt a cat after you’ve moved in, inform your landlord.
Having a Roommate or Subletting
If you plan to invite a flatmate (non-furry this time) or sublet your apartment in Dubai while you are elsewhere, you must first consult with your landlord. Every one of us has been there. Your friend informs you that they are looking for a new location to live. You, being the amazing friend that you are, give a helping hand and invite them to share your flat. However, notify your landlord before your friend or any other neighbours move in. Homeowners understandably want to know who lives on their land. Some may even conduct a background check.
As a result, it’s important that your landlord is aware and agrees. This is one of the basic tenants’ rights in Dubai that you agree to when you file a tenancy contract with Ejari Dubai. As a result, notify them and avoid yourself the pain of having to hide your roommate every time your landlord walks by. RERA’s tenancy rights rules state clearly that you need a written consent from your landlord before subletting. We recommend that you keep your landlord informed if you have friends or family staying for an extended period of time so that it does not become a problem later.
Damage to Fixtures and Fittings
It can be daunting to notify your landlord if something breaks or stops working in your home. You may be worried that you will have to pay to repair a shattered window or replace a light fixture that has fallen loose from the wall. However, keeping such secrets from your landlord could lead to worse problems and extra expenses in the future. You could even lose your security deposit as a result of a broke cabinet! Please do not try fixing anything yourself instead of informing your landlord. You may wind up doing more harm than good, or worse, injuring yourself!
Maintenance Issues
Do you have significant spots of dampness on your ceiling? Is there any annoying mould in the bathrooms? All maintenance issues must be notified to the landlord as quickly as possible, so no secrets here! And, by law, the homeowner is responsible for maintenance fees, thus you have tenancy rights in this situation. The crucial thing to keep in mind here is that you just cannot wait to notify your landlord.
If you put off having this talk, that patch of moisture may soon turn into a mound of rubble and a massive gaping hole in your ceiling. And do we really want that?
Changes to your Rental Home
So, if you’re changing the sheets, you don’t need to contact your landlord. However, if you are installing a new toilet or putting up a living room partition, you have to inform your landlord. According to Dubai law and the RERA standards, you have to inform your landlord and have them get clear permissions for you. This is also one of the core landlord rights in Dubai, and they have the power to evict you if they find any illegal changes. So, do yourself a favour and don’t conceal this from your landlord!
Losing your Keys
This is probably the most difficult conversation on the list. You know you’ve made a mistake, so instead of hiding this important data, notify your landlord right away that you’ve misplaced your keys. Even if you have friends with other keys and can make copies of them, you should still notify your landlord. Unless someone who knows where you live has purposefully picked up your keys, or you are one of those people who keeps your keys with your address printed on it, there is a very little likelihood that whoever has your key will be able find it and break into your house. As a result, some landlords may choose not to change the locks at all and instead have an extra key created.
When it comes to securing secrets from your landlord, follow these 7 precious nuggets of knowledge. It will go a long way towards building their faith in you. Landlord and tenancy rights are in place to help you strike the correct balance in your relationship with your landlord. So always think twice before making a decision that might compromise your or their comfort. If you’re still looking for your dream rental, don’t forget to look at some of Dubai’s most popular neighbourhoods.
