Dispute with Dubai landlord. What's my next move?
Discussion
About a month ago, I woke up to a flood in my apartment. After a few minutes, I traced the source of it to a split hose attached to that handheld-jetwash-shower-type-thingy in the bathroom. (What is that thing called anyway?) So I turned off the tap and mopped up all the water. There is a drain the bathroom floor but, annoyingly, the cover fits so snugly that it stopped the water from actually going down it.
The hallway has some cheap wood laminate flooring, which has become a bit swollen and warped from soaking up the water.
I informed the landlord and, to cut a long story short, he’s claiming that all of this is due to my negligence and therefore I should pay for repairs to the floor. We’ve exchanged a few emails and he refuses to accept my view that this is his responsibility. As it happens, I was already planning to move out in October when the lease expires. But he’s insisting that I put the flat back to it’s original condition (at my expense) if I move out. So I suppose he’s not likely to give me my deposit back without a fight.
I’d happily pay a lawyer for an hour of their time if I thought it would get me anywhere but I just get the feeling I’m in a bit of a no-win situation. Any ideas?
The hallway has some cheap wood laminate flooring, which has become a bit swollen and warped from soaking up the water.
I informed the landlord and, to cut a long story short, he’s claiming that all of this is due to my negligence and therefore I should pay for repairs to the floor. We’ve exchanged a few emails and he refuses to accept my view that this is his responsibility. As it happens, I was already planning to move out in October when the lease expires. But he’s insisting that I put the flat back to it’s original condition (at my expense) if I move out. So I suppose he’s not likely to give me my deposit back without a fight.
I’d happily pay a lawyer for an hour of their time if I thought it would get me anywhere but I just get the feeling I’m in a bit of a no-win situation. Any ideas?
Chilli said:
Unfortunately, I don't think you'll get anywhere. We hired a local lawyer and he just took the side of the other local we were having issues with. They cannot be trusted. Do you have any influential local mates?
I thought this would be the case. 
But if it makes any difference, the landlord is not a local. He's Iranian, lives in Tehran and just comes to Dubai a couple of times per year to cash my cheques.
Gentleman Geoff said:
I thought this would be the case.
But if it makes any difference, the landlord is not a local. He's Iranian, lives in Tehran and just comes to Dubai a couple of times per year to cash my cheques.
Ah, ok. In that case I'd lodge a dispute. It probably won't do much, but at least it will show him you're not taking it lying down. Is it RERA or someone I think you can go to. I'd get photo's of everything now to bolster your case and it'll stop him fabricating shuff should he require to defend himself.But if it makes any difference, the landlord is not a local. He's Iranian, lives in Tehran and just comes to Dubai a couple of times per year to cash my cheques.
Chilli said:
Gentleman Geoff said:
I thought this would be the case.
But if it makes any difference, the landlord is not a local. He's Iranian, lives in Tehran and just comes to Dubai a couple of times per year to cash my cheques.
I'd get photo's of everything now to bolster your case and it'll stop him fabricating shuff should he require to defend himself.But if it makes any difference, the landlord is not a local. He's Iranian, lives in Tehran and just comes to Dubai a couple of times per year to cash my cheques.
shirt said:
one of my oldest mates is a dubai based property lawyer and i've another mate here who is a landlord. i can fire them an email to see if it's something worth pursuing.
That would be brilliant, Phil. I'm not looking for free advice or discounts or whatever, but a simple yea or nay and a nod in the right direction would be really helpful.
Like Nick said, RERA seem to be the people to lodge a complaint with, but I wouldn't mind knowing in advance if this is realistically going to get me my six grand back at the end of the contract.
Gentleman Geoff said:
That would be brilliant, Phil. I'm not looking for free advice or discounts or whatever, but a simple yea or nay and a nod in the right direction would be really helpful.
Like Nick said, RERA seem to be the people to lodge a complaint with, but I wouldn't mind knowing in advance if this is realistically going to get me my six grand back at the end of the contract.
I wonder how much the fixtures and fittings are worth?!!Like Nick said, RERA seem to be the people to lodge a complaint with, but I wouldn't mind knowing in advance if this is realistically going to get me my six grand back at the end of the contract.
Gentleman Geoff said:
Dusty964 said:
Who is the landlord?
He's a nobody. Just a private Iranian investor with a property in Dubai Marina. What did you have in mind? 
Ref your timber flooring, it will warp and lift when dry- it can possibly be saved with the correct secret fix nails and copious adhesive- not the correct line of remedial work, but if it looks passable, it is passable.
Dusty964 said:
Ref your timber flooring, it will warp and lift when dry- it can possibly be saved with the correct secret fix nails and copious adhesive- not the correct line of remedial work, but if it looks passable, it is passable.
You are spot on, mate. It's been over a month since the leak and the floor is dry but has lifted a bit.I don't see me making any breakthrough with the landlord so I guess we'll just leave it over the summer and deal with it when I move out. It sounds like what you're describing would be a relatively cheap fix, if I decide to suck it up and get the floor fixed myself?
Gentleman Geoff said:
Dusty964 said:
Ref your timber flooring, it will warp and lift when dry- it can possibly be saved with the correct secret fix nails and copious adhesive- not the correct line of remedial work, but if it looks passable, it is passable.
You are spot on, mate. It's been over a month since the leak and the floor is dry but has lifted a bit.I don't see me making any breakthrough with the landlord so I guess we'll just leave it over the summer and deal with it when I move out. It sounds like what you're describing would be a relatively cheap fix, if I decide to suck it up and get the floor fixed myself?
Dusty964 said:
Gentleman Geoff said:
Dusty964 said:
Ref your timber flooring, it will warp and lift when dry- it can possibly be saved with the correct secret fix nails and copious adhesive- not the correct line of remedial work, but if it looks passable, it is passable.
You are spot on, mate. It's been over a month since the leak and the floor is dry but has lifted a bit.I don't see me making any breakthrough with the landlord so I guess we'll just leave it over the summer and deal with it when I move out. It sounds like what you're describing would be a relatively cheap fix, if I decide to suck it up and get the floor fixed myself?
It's not really a big deal at all, probably not much more than 1m x 1m. The photo isn't great but you can probably get the idea.
Gentleman Geoff said:
After a few minutes, I traced the source of it to a split hose attached to that handheld-jetwash-shower-type-thingy in the bathroom. (What is that thing called anyway?)
I can't help you with the legal side but as for this pipe, it's most probably used to wash your bottom after a poop.Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff