His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has issued a new leasing law.

Under this law landlords in Sharjah will have to get their rental contracts attested within 15 days from the date of issuance. All properties within the emirate that are let for residential, commercial, industrial, or professional purposes will fall within the purview of such regulation. This law aims at making tenancy secure as soon as possible for both landlords and tenants so that leasing may be established with little delay.

If the landlord does not ratify the lease contract within the prescribed period of 15 days, the tenant can go to court. More precisely, a tenant could ask a judge of urgent matters to order the landlord to ratify the lease. This provision ensures tenants are not denied a written tenancy contract that protects their rights. The Sharjah Government Media Office said the move indicated the need for ratification of contracts in good time and provided a legal platform in case of disputes for tenants.

The law also provided penalties against landlords who did not comply with the proper procedure. An administrative fine will be considered against the landlord if a municipality or competent authorities are not certified of a rental contract. All these types of fines and their details are found within the executive regulations of the law, in addition to fees taken for the certification of a contract. The municipality also has the right to request the court to oblige the landlord, at any time, to certify the lease and pay the required fees and fines, so all rental agreements can be formalized.

It is also against the law to deny that rent contracts should be filled out in writing or by electronic means with forms approved by the Sharjah Executive Council. In the absence of a duly attested lease, the tenant or landlord may submit a case to the Rental Disputes Centre in Sharjah. When it is proved that the contract is valid, it is paid for by the landlord. These make up transparency and justice in a tenancy contract.

The code enumerates some of the obligations of the landlord: first, the landlord shall deliver the rented property in a good condition, suitable for the intended purpose for the term of tenancy. Secondly, the landlord shall perform the necessary repairs unless agreed otherwise with the tenant. In addition to that, the landlord is not allowed to alter the property to impede its use unless he gets written permission from the tenant. Secondly, landlords are required to give permissions to the tenants whenever the latter need to make some interior design changes, provided these do not change the structure of the property. They are not to harass tenants, shut off services, and attempt to drive them from the premises. Finally, they shall refund the deposit money upon termination of the lease if the tenant has not caused any damages to the property.

The tenants, for their part, are supposed to abide by the responsibilities assigned to them in the lease. They have to pay on time, use the property as stated in the contract, and change it only after securing permission from the landlord. Then, they have to take care of the property to enable the landlord to effect any necessary repairs in it. Also, they must pay for services utilized by them, pay against damages caused, and clear all fees during the tenancy.

The new law gives strength to the rental structure in Sharjah, requiring both parties to their commitments and creating mechanisms for conflict resolution.