An eviction notice can make an ordinary day feel suddenly urgent. The natural reaction is to argue immediately: call the landlord, send a long message, or start searching for a “reply memorandum” online. A better first move is quieter. Preserve the notice, identify what it actually says, and build a clean record of the tenancy.
This matters because “eviction notice” is not one single procedure. The reason given, the stage of the tenancy, the method of notification and the requested date can all affect what happens next. The Dubai Land Department’s official FAQ says, for example, that an owner seeking eviction for personal use must give 12 months’ notice. It also states more generally that an eviction notice must state the reason and be sent through the notary public or by registered mail, with at least 12 months between notification and the requested eviction date for the relevant post-expiry grounds. That does not mean every tenancy problem has the same 12-month rule. Non-payment, unauthorised subletting and other situations can follow different conditions.
Start with a notice check
Keep the original notice and envelope or delivery record. Then record:
- the date you received it;
- how it was delivered;
- the reason stated for eviction;
- the requested move-out date;
- the property, Ejari and party details shown; and
- any earlier emails, messages or notices about the same issue.
Do not edit screenshots or crop away dates, names and phone numbers. Export important email threads as PDFs and keep the original messages as well. If a message is in a language other than Arabic, keep both the original and any certified legal translation later obtained.
What is a memorandum?
In an RDC matter, a claim or defence memorandum is a structured written account of what a party says happened, what documents support that account, and what the party asks the committee to decide. It is not simply a bundle of attachments and it is not improved by dramatic language.
A useful preparation draft normally separates:
- case and party details;
- a short chronological background;
- the specific points in dispute;
- the user’s requested outcome;
- a numbered evidence list; and
- any procedural information the official portal requires.
The correct legal arguments and remedies can depend on facts that are easy to miss. If the document is intended to be filed as a legal memorandum, a licensed UAE lawyer or legal consultant should review it. A technology platform can help the user organise facts, identify missing documents and prepare a neutral case brief for that professional; it should not present an unreviewed automated draft as legal advice.
Preparing for an RDC hearing
The Rental Disputes Center’s guidance says documents can be uploaded before the hearing through the case’s Sessions section. Once a case is reserved for judgment, the system does not allow further document uploads. Separate RDC guidance for online hearings says that a party who cannot attend should attach a detailed claim or defence memorandum and supporting documents in advance, in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic.
That makes timing and presentation important. Use a simple evidence index:
| No. | Document | Date | What it helps show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ejari / tenancy contract | Contract date | Parties, property, term and agreed rent |
| 2 | Eviction notice | Notice date | Stated reason, requested date and delivery route |
| 3 | Delivery proof | Delivery date | When and how the notice was received |
| 4 | Email or WhatsApp thread | Date range | What each party said or requested |
| 5 | Payment records | Date range | Rent payments and any disputed amounts |
The RDC FAQ states that reciprocal WhatsApp messages and email may be relied upon in rental disputes where the parties are questioned about them and acknowledge them in the case record. That is a reason to preserve complete conversations, not a guarantee that a particular screenshot will be accepted or prove the point you want it to prove.
Can someone submit documents for you?
Users should be careful with this question. The safest distinction is between administrative assistance and representation.
Administrative assistance may include scanning, naming, ordering, translating and showing a user where the official upload control is. Representation means acting in the case for another person. The RDC FAQ says that adding a legal representative requires an electronic request with a power of attorney. A platform should therefore never promise that an ordinary document assistant can appear, make submissions or act for a user. Where representation or a power of attorney is needed, the user should be referred to a licensed lawyer and the official authority’s current requirements.
Before you pay anyone to “write a memorandum”
Ask for a written scope. Does the fee cover formatting only, certified translation, legal review, filing, or representation? Who is responsible for checking the facts? Who holds the licence for any legal advice? Will you receive an editable copy and the final PDF? A clear invoice and scope protect both the customer and the provider.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Dubai eviction require 12 months’ notice?
No. The official guidance describes a 12-month notice for specified grounds such as an owner seeking the property for personal use. Other grounds can have different conditions. Check the reason and obtain licensed advice for your facts.
Can I upload documents on the hearing day?
The RDC says documents can be uploaded before the hearing through the Sessions section, but not after the matter has been reserved for judgment. Follow the directions shown in your case and do not leave an upload to the last minute.
Must documents be in Arabic?
RDC online-hearing guidance says a detailed memorandum and supporting documents should be in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic when submitted in advance by a party unable to attend. Confirm current requirements for your specific file.
Can this platform write and file my defence?
The platform can help organise facts, create an evidence index and prepare a brief for review. Legal drafting, advice, representation and filing on another person’s behalf must be handled according to licensing, authorisation and portal rules.