Competent Authority, Lawful Eviction Procedure, and Actions Prohibited Before a Court Order
In Dubai, holiday homes (short-term rentals) operate under a regulatory regime that is distinct from traditional long-term residential tenancies. When a guest refuses to vacate the property after the agreed stay has expired, the owner faces a situation that falls outside the standard tenancy dispute mechanisms: no Ejari registration exists, the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) may decline jurisdiction, and police authorities typically refuse to conduct a physical eviction without a judicial order.
The guest in such cases is effectively retaining the property without any legal basis — the short-term accommodation agreement has expired, no tenancy relationship exists, and the continued occupation constitutes unlawful retention of another person’s property. Understanding the correct legal procedure is essential, as any attempt by the owner to remove the occupant by independent means may result in civil or criminal liability.
Three questions arise.