UAE Property: ‘Can I ask for reasonable advance notice for viewings?’

Question: I live in a villa in Jumeirah Park in Dubai. My landlord told me that he plans to sell and wants to begin viewings immediately. He says agents may bring buyers any time with an hour’s notice. This is very disruptive for my family.

I’m not trying to stop the sale, but can I legally insist on reasonable notice and limit how often they come? The tenancy runs until next August. PB, Dubai

Answer: It is your right to request reasonable notice and the law supports you. However, I suggest you firstly look at your tenancy agreement to double check what you have already signed for and what provisions are stated in your contract in the event the landlord wishes to sell.

Under Dubai’s Law 26 of 2007, tenants must allow the landlord access to the property for selling, maintenance or inspection, provided the visits are by prior agreement and at reasonable times. The important phrase is here is prior agreement. I don't think that one hour’s notice is considered a reasonable time in practice.

Common practice in Dubai would be 24 hours’ notice and, if possible, to group viewings together when possible. The other alternative would be to arrange for a specific time on specific dates, for example, a one-hour window twice a week. You would, therefore, be ready to receive viewings and this protects your quiet enjoyment while still allowi