Update on my landlords demand for 13.3% increase:
When I replied quoting law, the agent responded very quickly to say, need to find a happy medium between them and us. I responded saying the law was the law etc ( thanks mikewot). [ that's absolutely the fastest she has ever replied to us].

Today they have agreed to renew at same terms and conditions, and have also given us twelve months notice to evict as they are now selling the apartment.

So.... The evict notice is dated today, lease up at end of October (2014 now), how does this work? ... Also will they then actually have to sell, or just pretend?

Thanks in advance...

Can only evict at the end of the tenancy agreement, Oct 2014, as it's 12 months notice from end of current contract. Also must be done by notary public or registered mail.
As for actually selling, difficult one to prove before you move. Easy afterwards and you could go to rental tribunal for compensation.
Do NOT sign a non-renewable contract.

Just to update:

We have today renewed at previous rent, terms and conditions (its not a non renewable contract). The downside is 12 months eviction notice - at the end of October 2014, but a lot can happen in a year in Dubai so we are OK with this.

The agent knew the law and was just trying it on in the hope we didn't. They accepted the inevitable once we stuck to our guns. We didn't need to open a case with the rent committee, but I would have done so if required and had indicated this to them.

Thanks to all who had previously contributed to this thread and also special thanks to Mikewot - he clearly knows this area!!

Afwan!

I taught him all he knows

Oooohhh matron!

can't wait to see her response to that

Go forth and multiply.

Well, in that case- thank you!!

Right, sorry to drag this thread up, but with my rent contract due up today I find myself in the same position - I informed the agent that I washed to renew at the start of October at the end of July - 90 days notice and all that. Deafening silence from the agent. I rang the agent when I get back from the UK at the end of Ramadan, and on aregular basis since then, reminding them that I wanted to renew on the same terms and conditions. I was told that they were having trouble getting in touch with the landlords representative in Dubai. Today rolls round, final day of the contract and the agent emails me telling them the LL wants an increase of 20,000DHS, which is my maths is correct is a roughly 18% increase on my current rent of 110000DHS

Cue response from me using Mikewots example (thanks!) and I receive a phone call from the agent saying that I have been there 2 years the LL can put on any increase he wants. Agents say if I don't accept then I will get 60 days notice of a rent increase and if I don't accept then I will have to vacate.

I will be ringing RERA in the morning to clarify my position.

In the meantime, is this the humungous crock of shit I think it is?

P.S. RERA Calculator says I am not due for an increase

Yup

Will speak to RERA in the morning and clarify, then once more unto the breach with the agent.

2 years is nonsense. The law is 90 days notice. Full Stop. Ask them to show you this 'law' about 2 years.
And it's up to the LL to attempt to evict you. To do that he'll have to go to the rental committee (paying the 3.5% of rent as a fee) and explain why he feels he's above the law of Dubai written by His Highness.