Increase in subletting in dubai leads to crackdown

People who rent apartments and villas in Dubai and then sub let a room to someone else face eviction and legal action if they fail to secure a letter of consent from the property owner agreeing to the contract, lawyers are warning.

There has been a clampdown in the emirate as the number of people subletting has increased due to the economic downturn. Experts warn that people who pay rent to housemates for a room or to a landlord managing the property may be unknowingly subletting, and in breach of Dubai laws.

‘Most leases either prohibit subleasing entirely or state that no subleasing will be permitted without prior written consent of the owner, and in most cases, a letter of consent should be obtained,’ said Alexis Waller, a partner within Clyde & Co’s real estate division.

‘Most individuals subleasing are unaware of the law on this point. If taking a sublease, they should view the head lease and check that the original tenant has the right to sublease,’ Waller added.

Source: PropertyWire.com