Landlords in Sharjah are obliged to ratify rental contracts within 15 days of issuance as per a new leasing law issued by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council.
“The provisions of this law shall apply to properties rented for residential, commercial, industrial or professional purposes in the Emirate of Sharjah”, Sharjah Government Media Office said on Monday.
Exemptions from the provision of this law include “agricultural lands, properties granted by the Emirate Government for residential purposes unless owned, properties provided by the employer to house those who work for him without receiving rent from them. Yet this exception does not apply to the rental relationship that arises between the employer and the lessor of the property.
The law does not apply as well on “properties belonging to hotel or tourist facilities rented to their guests only, properties located within the free zones in the emirate, which have special committees or judicial bodies specialised in resolving rental disputes that arise within their borders and properties and contracts specified by a decision issued by the Executive Council of the Emirate of Sharjah.”, it added.
If the landlord refuses to ratify the lease contract within the period specified, the tenant shall request the judge of urgent matters to compel the landlord to ratify it.
If the lease contract is not certified by the municipality or the authorities it authorises, an administrative fine shall be imposed on the lessor, as determined by the executive regulations of this law, in addition to the certification fees due.
The municipality may request the judge to oblige the landlord to certify the lease contract and pay the prescribed fees and fines at any time.
