Question: I’m a tenant and want to pay rent directly to the owner to avoid the agent commission. Is this possible and what should I watch out for? FJ, Dubai
Answer: You are not the first person to request this but be careful what you wish for. You should approach this carefully. Firstly, is it realistic? Yes, direct rentals do occur, especially in smaller buildings or where the owner has a few units. But the landlord still often uses an agent for marketing or legal administration.
I would suggest you watch out for a few points, first of which is legal registration. Make sure the lease is registered on the Ejari portal in Dubai or relevant registry of tenancy contracts. If not registered, your protection as a tenant will be weaker.
Ensure you prepare and do your due diligence because agents often handle tenant screening, contract compliance, maintenance liaison and deposit management. When dealing directly, ensure these tasks are handled (or contractualised) between you and the owner.
Get clarity on fees, even when you deal directly. Some landlords expect a “finder’s fee” or may raise rent slightly to cover marketing. Always ask: “Is rent inclusive of any implied agency cost?”
Know your rights on renewals. Agents often monitor renewal windows and tenant rights. If you’re dealing directly, ensure you understand your rights, including the notice periods, termination clauses, index-based increases, etc.
My take on this is that direct deals are feasible and can potentially save on costs, but only when handled with the same professionalism you’d expect from an agent-led transaction. Lack of registration, unclear service arrangements or ambiguous fee structures can erode the benefit. If you proceed directly with the landlord, get a contract in writing, register it properly and leave no loose ends.
Q: I'm a landlord living abroad, and I will soon be taking handover of a couple of apartments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I will want to rent them out as soon as possible but I'm trying to resolve any problems before they arise. What are the biggest challenges in managing tenants remotely and how to handle them? GW, London
A: This question comes up often among non-resident landlords, and the key is choosing the right partner from the start. With proper management, properties in the emirates can be true passive investments.
One of the key challenges is centred over tenant communication. When you’re not local, you rely on property managers or agents to bridge issues. Tenants often contact owners directly out of habit, which can complicate matters. Another challenge can be due to the maintenance because remote owners may not know if the building services degrade until issues pile up.
Another important factor is regulatory and legal compliance. Lease registration (Ejari or different systems in other emirates), eviction processes, renewal obligations and payments need local oversight. Also, fees, service charges and vacancy periods eat into returns if left unmanaged.
My solution to all the above problems would be to choose a reliable property management company, ideally one recommended with great local networks and one that standardises regular reporting, monthly rental income summary, maintenance log, tenant feedback and occupancy status.
In the age of artificial intelligence, ensure the company uses technology platforms or apps for owner dashboards showing rent collection, expense tracking and ticketing system for maintenance requests.
Things often do go wrong, so try to maintain a local emergency fund or reserve for reactive maintenance, so the company won't always need owner approval for urgent issues.
For your own information, try to stay informed of landlord-tenant law changes and renewal window deadlines (notice periods, etc.) so you aren’t caught off guard.
With the right set-up, being a remote landlord can work well, but it’s not completely passive. You must treat the investment as a business, so having a reliable local partner and active oversight will reduce headaches and protect your yield.
The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario@allegiance.ae
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World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Roma 4
Milner (15' OG), Dzeko (52'), Nainggolan (86', 90 4')
Liverpool 2
Mane (9'), Wijnaldum (25')
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Scoreline
Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
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- It can be as long as you link
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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