UAE: Will tenants forfeit advance rent amount if they leave apartment early in Sharjah?

UAE: Will tenants forfeit advance rent amount if they leave apartment early in Sharjah?

KT reader asks if it's legal for real estate company to not return even a part of the payment

Published: Sun 11 Jun 2023, 10:26 AM Last updated: Sun 11 Jun 2023, 10:38 AM

Question: My cousin, who lives in Sharjah, has paid his apartment's full-year rent in advance until November 10, 2023. If he intends to leave the apartment earlier, will he have to forfeit the entire amount? Or can he pay a penalty and get the remaining months' worth? His real estate company refuses to return even a part of the amount, saying it's against their policy.

Answer: Pursuant to your query, as your cousin is residing in a rented apartment in Sharjah, the provisions of Execution Regulation 2 of 2010 of Sharjah Law No. 2 of 2007 on Regulating the Relationship Between Landlord and Tenant in the Emirate of Sharjah are applicable.

In Sharjah, a tenant may not terminate a rent agreement before its expiry unless for reasons beyond the control of a tenant (force majeure). In the event of early termination of the rent agreement by a tenant, a tenant may be obligated to compensate a landlord not less than 30 per cent of the rent amount of the remaining