An eviction notice in Dubai is the formal notice a landlord serves on a tenant to vacate at the end of the tenancy. For sale, own use by the owner or a close relative, demolition or major renovation, it must be given at least 12 months ahead, through a notary public or registered mail. Wordcraft drafts it in Arabic and English and arranges notarization and service.
The notary records both the content and the date of service, which is what makes the notarized route the stronger proof. We take care of the paperwork. If the tenant contests the notice at the Rental Disputes Center, part of the Dubai Land Department, a lawyer may be the right next call.
Valid Reasons and the 12-Month Rule
Under Dubai's tenancy law, a landlord may ask a tenant to leave at the end of the tenancy contract for reasons such as:
- Sale of the property
- Personal use by the owner or a first-degree relative, where the owner has no other suitable property
- Demolition and reconstruction, with the necessary approvals
- Restoration or major maintenance that cannot be done with the tenant in place, backed by a technical report
Under the rules currently in force, notice for these reasons must be given at least 12 months before the eviction date, through a notary public or registered mail. Breaches during the contract, such as unpaid rent, follow different rules. Because the details are technical, we check your reason and dates against the current rules before drafting. This page covers Dubai only; the other emirates have their own tenancy laws.
Notary vs Registered Mail
| Notarized notice | Registered mail | |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of content | Notary records the full notice | Only proof that something was sent |
| Proof of date | Official notarization and service record | Postal receipt |
| Language | Arabic, or bilingual Arabic and English | Any, but Arabic is expected in a dispute |
| Use at the Rental Disputes Center | Strong evidence | Often challenged if delivery is disputed |
Landlords choose the notary route mainly because it ends the argument over whether, and when, the tenant was told. For other formal notices, see our legal notices service.
What the Notice Must Include
- Names of the landlord and tenant exactly as they appear on the tenancy contract and title deed
- Property details: building, unit number, area and Ejari number
- The legal reason for eviction, stated clearly
- The date by which the tenant must vacate, at least 12 months from service
- Supporting evidence where relevant: sale agreement, proof of relationship for a relative's use, demolition approval or engineering report
- The landlord's signature, or an authorized agent's under a valid power of attorney
Tenants: What to Do When You Receive One
If a notice reaches you, check the reason, the service date and the notice period, and keep the original. If you think the notice is invalid, the Rental Disputes Center is the body that decides, and legal advice may help. If the notice or the contract is in Arabic and you want to understand every line, we provide an MOJ-certified legal translation of it.
Landlord Documents for the Notice
- Title deed of the property
- Tenancy contract and Ejari certificate
- Landlord's Emirates ID or passport, or for a company owner the trade license and signatory authority
- Evidence of the reason: sale agreement, family document, permit or technical report
- Tenant's contact details and address for service
From Title Deed to Proof of Service
- Date check: WhatsApp us the title deed and tenancy contract. Your free written quote, sent within 10 to 30 minutes, shows the earliest valid eviction date.
- Drafting: the bilingual notice, sent to you for approval.
- Notarization and service: you sign before the notary, in person or by video, and the notice is served on the tenant through the notary's channel.
- Proof: the notarized notice and the service record reach you online, with the original delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice must a Dubai landlord give to evict a tenant?
At least 12 months before the eviction date for sale, own use, demolition or major renovation, served through a notary public or by registered mail.
Can I send an eviction notice by email or WhatsApp?
Not for the 12-month notice. The law expects a notary or registered mail, and an email alone is weak evidence if the tenant disputes receiving it.
Can a landlord evict a tenant to sell the property?
Yes. Sale is a recognized reason, as long as the 12-month notice is served correctly and the eviction takes effect at the end of the contract.
Does the notice have to be in Arabic?
Notaries and the Rental Disputes Center work in Arabic, so the notice is drafted in Arabic with an English version alongside.
Does this apply in Sharjah or Abu Dhabi?
No. Each emirate sets its own tenancy rules. Tell us where the property is and we check the local requirements; our notarization services cover every emirate.
Last updated: September 2026
