"I'm selling the apartment — you need to leave in two months." It is one of the most common messages Dubai tenants receive, and in almost every case it has no legal force. Selling is a recognised ground for eviction, but the law wraps it in two protections that most tenants do not realise they have.
Protection one: 12 months' notice, formally served
Under Article 25(2)(d) of the amended Dubai tenancy law, a landlord evicting in order to sell must give at least 12 months' written notice, served through a notary public or by registered mail — in practice often via the Tableegh courier service with notary attestation.
A WhatsApp message, a phone call or an email does not start the clock. No valid formal notice, no eviction — regardless of the sale.
Protection two: the sale does not touch your lease
Article 28 of Law No. 26 of 2007 is blunt: transfer of ownership does not affect the tenant's right to continue occupying the property under the existing lease. If the landlord sells mid-tenancy, the buyer becomes your new landlord on the same contract, same rent, same expiry. The purchase price is the buyer's problem, not yours.
This means a landlord can sell whenever they like — they simply cannot use the sale to cut your contract short without the 12-month notarised notice.
What to do if you get a short-notice demand
- Stay put and reply in writing that you are aware of the 12-month notarised-notice requirement.
- Check the notice itself — is it notarised or by registered mail? Does it state the sale as the reason? Does it give a full 12 months?
- If pressure continues, file at the Dubai Rental Disputes Center (RDC), which handles exactly this non-compliance.
Watch for the companion move: some landlords pair an eviction threat with a rent hike. Increases are bound by the RERA index — check any demand against our RERA rent calculator guide. And whenever you do eventually move, protect the deposit with our security deposit rules.
Key takeaway
A Dubai landlord selling up must serve 12 months' notice through a notary or registered mail, and the sale itself never cancels your lease — the buyer inherits you as a tenant on identical terms. Short-notice demands are unenforceable; the RDC is your venue if pressure continues.
FAQ
My landlord sold the apartment. Is my lease still valid?
Yes, fully. The new owner steps into the old landlord's shoes: same contract, same rent, same expiry date. Ownership transfer does not affect your right to stay.
Is a WhatsApp eviction notice legal in Dubai?
No. Eviction notice for sale must be served through a notary public or registered mail. Informal messages do not start the 12-month clock.
Can the new owner raise my rent immediately?
No. The existing contract binds the new owner, and any renewal increase must follow the RERA rental index rules like any other.
Where do I complain about an illegal eviction attempt?
The Dubai Rental Disputes Center (RDC), which resolves disputes over non-compliance with tenancy law requirements.
