Quick Answer: To file a First Instance eviction lawsuit with the Dubai Rental Disputes Center (RDC), a landlord generally needs the latest Ejari, the required owner or company identification documents, proof of the claimant’s IBAN, and the notarized eviction notice together with the required proof of service. The RDC also lists a valid passport and residence permit for an expatriate property owner and a valid management contract where applicable. Documents must be submitted in or legally translated into Arabic and uploaded through the RDC system.
All documents must be submitted in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic. Hard copies are not accepted. Everything is uploaded electronically through the RDC’s official portal.
Most landlords who contact the RDC after attempting to resolve a dispute directly discover that the filing process requires far more documentation than they expected. A missing document does not just slow the case down. It can result in the submission being rejected outright, forcing the landlord to restart the process.
This guide covers the documents listed by the RDC for registering a First Instance rental lawsuit, explains why each one matters, and flags the most common mistakes landlords make when preparing a case file.
What Documents Are Required for an RDC Eviction Case?
The Rental Disputes Center publishes the official required documents list for registering a First Instance rental lawsuit. The documents listed below reflect what the RDC currently requires.
| Document | Required For | Why It Matters |
| Latest Ejari/tenancy contract | All cases | Establishes the tenancy relationship |
| Emirates ID and owner identification documents | All cases | Identifies the claimant and property owner |
| Passport and residence permit for expatriate property owners | Where applicable | Provides the owner’s required identification documents |
| Commercial licence and manager’s or owner’s Emirates ID | Corporate claimants | Identifies the company and its authorised manager or owner |
| Valid management contract | Where applicable | Establishes the management relationship where a property manager is involved |
| IBAN bank letter or bank statement | All cases | Provides the claimant’s banking details |
| Notarized eviction notice | Eviction claims | Provides the formal eviction notice |
| Notification officer’s report or registered post proof of service | Eviction claims | Establishes that the notice was served |
Each of these categories is explained in full below.
What Each Required Document Does in an RDC Eviction Case
Latest Ejari Certificate or Tenancy Contract
The Ejari registration certificate is the official record of the tenancy registered through the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the Dubai Land Department. The RDC requires a copy of the latest lease (Ejari). Where the tenancy has been renewed or otherwise updated, the lease document submitted should reflect the current tenancy being relied on in the claim.
The Ejari certificate tells the RDC who the landlord and tenant are, what the property is, what the current rent amount is, and when the current lease started and ends. Without the latest Ejari, the RDC has no official confirmation that the tenancy it is being asked to adjudicate is the one actually in force. For a full breakdown of how Ejari registration works, the Ejari registration guide on this site covers the full process in detail.
Emirates ID for Individual Landlords, or Company Documents for Corporate Landlords
Individual landlords must provide the required owner identification documents, including a copy of the Emirates ID and, where applicable, a valid passport and residence permit for an expatriate property owner. Corporate landlords must provide the latest commercial licence together with the Emirates ID of the company manager or owner whose name appears on the licence.
These documents allow the RDC to identify the claimant, property owner, or authorised representative. The identification and company documents should be valid and consistent with the claimant’s legal status and the details recorded on the relevant documents.
Claimant’s IBAN Bank Letter or Bank Statement
The RDC requires a bank letter or bank statement that includes the claimant’s IBAN (International Bank Account Number). The document provides the claimant’s banking details for the RDC proceedings.
The RDC requires a bank letter or bank statement showing the claimant’s IBAN. The document should clearly identify the claimant and the relevant IBAN.
Notarized Eviction Notice
For an eviction claim specifically, the RDC requires a copy of the notarized eviction notice. This is the notarized eviction notice that was served on the tenant before the RDC case was filed. For an eviction claim, the RDC requires the notarized notice together with the notification officer’s report, or registered post together with acknowledgement of receipt.
The notarized eviction notice must correspond to the reason for eviction. A notice issued for non-payment of rent serves a different legal function than a 12-month eviction notice issued because a landlord intends to sell the property. For an RDC eviction filing, the RDC requires the notarized notice together with the applicable proof of service. WhatsApp messages or email may have evidentiary value in rental disputes in appropriate circumstances, but they should not be relied upon as substitutes for the specific notice and service documents required when registering an eviction claim. The eviction notice services available through this site handle drafting, Dubai Court notarization, and delivery with proof of receipt as part of the notice process before an RDC case is filed.
Notification Officer’s Report or Registered Post Receipt with Acknowledgement of Notice
Producing the notarized eviction notice is not enough on its own. The RDC also requires proof that the notice was actually served on the tenant through a legally recognized method.
Two forms of proof satisfy this requirement:
- A notification officer’s report, which is the formal report generated when a Dubai Court-authorized notification officer physically serves the notice on the tenant.
- A registered post receipt together with an acknowledgement of notice receipt, which documents that the notice was sent by registered mail and received by the tenant.
This requirement is the one that catches the most landlords off guard. A landlord may have a perfectly drafted and notarized eviction notice sitting in a file but no formal proof that the tenant actually received it. Without this proof, the RDC cannot confirm that the tenant was given the legally required notice period. For an eviction claim, the RDC’s published filing requirements call for the notarized notice together with either the notification officer’s report or registered post together with acknowledgement of receipt. Ordinary email or WhatsApp messages should not be relied upon as a substitute for this specific filing evidence.
Proof of delivery is a core part of the end-to-end eviction notice service provided through this site. The service provides proof of receipt for notices delivered through its courier process. For an RDC eviction filing, the proof submitted should correspond to the service evidence accepted by the RDC, including the notification officer’s report or registered post with acknowledgement of receipt.
Power of Attorney
If the landlord is filing the RDC case through an authorized representative, such as a legal professional, property manager, or family member, a power of attorney is required. If the landlord is represented by another person, the relevant Power of Attorney or other supporting authorisation should be uploaded with the claim. The RDC lists power of attorney among the documents that may support the claim and charges AED 25 for registration of a Power of Attorney where applicable.
Landlords based overseas who choose to have a representative act on their behalf may use a valid power of attorney to authorize that representative. The POA guide for overseas landlords on this site explains when a POA may be needed and how the authorization process works in practice.
Supporting Documents Relevant to the Eviction Claim
Depending on the reason for eviction, the RDC may require or benefit from additional supporting documents. The official RDC requirements describe these as any document supporting the claim, which can include:
- A valid property management contract if a management company is involved
- Copies of relevant written correspondence between landlord and tenant
- Bank cheque copies in cases involving unpaid rent
- DEWA bills or utility records where relevant to the dispute
- Photographs or reports supporting property damage claims
- Any other documentation that directly supports the stated grounds for eviction
These supporting documents are not a fixed list. The relevant documents differ based on the type of eviction claim. A landlord filing for eviction due to non-payment of rent submits different supporting materials than a landlord filing for eviction due to a lease violation or a landlord seeking eviction to carry out major renovations.
The better the supporting documentation, the more completely the landlord’s version of events is established on the record before the hearing begins.
Arabic Translation Requirement for RDC Documents
The RDC requires all documents to be submitted in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic. This requirement applies without exception to every document uploaded to the RDC system.
Documents that are not in Arabic must be legally translated into Arabic before submission where translation is required. The translation should be prepared in accordance with the RDC’s legal-translation requirement rather than relying on an informal translation.
Where documents supporting the claim are not in Arabic, they should be legally translated into Arabic in accordance with the RDC’s document requirements before submission. This can include supporting documents such as correspondence, bank documents or other evidence submitted with the claim.
This step frequently delays first-time filers who are unaware of the requirement until they reach the document upload stage of the online submission process.
How to File a First Instance Eviction Lawsuit With the RDC
The RDC accepts First Instance lawsuit registrations through two channels: online through the RDC’s official website or in person at a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre. No hard copies are accepted through the online process.
Filing online through the RDC website:
- Create an account on the RDC system if not already registered.
- Select the Register First Instance Lawsuit service and choose the rental dispute category.
- Enter all required case data, including lease details, party information, and the specifics of the eviction claim.
- Upload all required documents in the sections specified by the system. All documents must be in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic.
- Pay the applicable filing fee using the payment method available for the filing channel. The RDC lists Noqodi and debit or credit cards for electronic payment, while cash is available at Real Estate Services Centers.
- Attend the hearing session through the RDC’s tele-litigation system.
- Receive the judgment through the RDC website.
Filing in person through a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre:
- Visit a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre with all required documents.
- Present documents to staff for compliance verification.
- Staff enter all case data into the RDC system.
- Pay the applicable fee and receive a payment receipt.
- Attend the hearing session through the tele-litigation system.
- Receive the judgment through the website.
The RDC confirms that case registration is completed within one business day from the point of submission.
RDC Eviction Case Filing Fees
The RDC calculates fees for First Instance rental lawsuits as follows, based on the latest published fee schedule on the official RDC service page:
For eviction cases, lease renewal disputes, rent claims, and termination of lease in force, the fee is 3.5% of the annual rent or lease value, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000.
For monetary claims, the fee is 3.5% of the claimed amount, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 15,000.
Additional fees that apply in relevant cases:
- Power of attorney registration: AED 25 (if applicable)
- Process service: AED 100
- Knowledge fee: AED 10
- Innovation fee: AED 10
- Partners’ service fee if filing through a Real Estate Services Trustees Centre: AED 130 plus VAT
What Happens After the RDC Issues an Eviction Judgment
Receiving a favorable judgment from the RDC First Instance committee does not automatically result in the tenant vacating the property. Filing the case and enforcing the judgment are two separate procedural steps at the RDC.
After a First Instance judgment is issued, an appeal must generally be filed within 15 days from the day following the date of the judgment when the judgment is issued in the party’s presence, or from the date of notification when the judgment is issued in the party’s absence. In eviction cases, a defendant tenant can file an appeal regardless of the financial value of the claim. Where the lawsuit includes a financial claim, the appellant must deposit 50% of the amount awarded in the First Instance judgment as appeal security. The RDC states that this amount is refundable.
Once the judgment becomes enforceable, the landlord can initiate an enforcement proceeding through the RDC’s Execution service. The RDC allows an execution file to be initiated after 15 days from the day following issuance of the judgment in presentia, or 15 days from notification of the judgment in absentia. The Execution service requires the enforcement writ with the enforcement stamp, together with any other documents applicable to the enforcement proceeding, including supporting documents specified by the RDC. After the defendant is served with the enforcement writ notice, the RDC states that electronic requests can be submitted after seven days where necessary. Enforcement is a separate proceeding from the First Instance lawsuit.
Understanding this distinction upfront helps landlords set realistic expectations about the full timeline from initial filing to the tenant actually vacating the property.
Common Mistakes When Preparing an RDC Eviction Case
Several mistakes consistently appear in eviction case submissions that get rejected or delayed at the RDC.
Submitting an outdated Ejari certificate.
The RDC requires the latest Ejari. A certificate from a previous lease period or a renewal that was not re-registered does not satisfy the requirement, even if it relates to the same property and the same tenant.
Filing without proper proof that the eviction notice was served.
Many landlords arrive at the submission stage with a notarized eviction notice but no notification officer’s report or registered post receipt. The notice document alone is not sufficient. Proof of service is a separate, mandatory requirement for eviction claims.
Assuming that email or WhatsApp delivery of the eviction notice by itself satisfies the RDC’s filing requirements.
For an eviction claim, the RDC requires the notarized notice together with a notification officer’s report or registered post with acknowledgement of receipt. WhatsApp and email may have evidentiary value in rental disputes in appropriate circumstances, but they should not be relied upon as substitutes for the specific proof of service required for registering the eviction claim.
Omitting the IBAN bank letter.
This document is required for all First Instance rental lawsuits, not only money claims. Landlords filing purely for eviction without a financial claim still need to include the IBAN documentation.
Uploading documents without the required Arabic translation.
All documents must be in Arabic or legally translated into Arabic before upload. Uploading English-language documents and noting that a translation will follow does not satisfy the requirement at the point of submission.
Incomplete company documentation for corporate claimants.
A corporate landlord who provides only the trade licence without the required Emirates ID of the company manager or owner, or whose identification and company documents do not correspond, may have an incomplete submission.
Failing to include supporting documents relevant to the eviction grounds.
A bare-minimum submission of only the core required documents may be technically complete for some cases, but supporting documentation strengthens the landlord’s position significantly, particularly in contested cases involving lease violations or property damage.
Why the Eviction Notice Itself Must Be Prepared Correctly Before Filing With the RDC
The RDC eviction case filing process begins well before the landlord logs into the RDC portal. The quality of the eviction case depends directly on the quality of the eviction notice that was served before the case was filed.
A landlord who serves an eviction notice that does not comply with the legally applicable notice period, or who fails to serve the notice through an officially recognized method, or whose notice contains incorrect property details, may face complications at the RDC before the hearing begins. The tenant’s representative can challenge the validity of the notice itself, which shifts attention away from the underlying grounds for eviction.
The eviction notice service at this site handles drafting in Arabic and English, Dubai Court notarization, courier delivery through a Dubai Court-registered service, and proof of receipt documentation as part of one end-to-end process. For an RDC eviction filing, the RDC requires the notarized notice together with the applicable proof of service, such as the notification officer’s report or registered post with acknowledgement of receipt.
Landlords who need help preparing a legally compliant eviction notice before filing an RDC case can start a notice request online or contact the team directly via WhatsApp for guidance on the next steps.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Eviction cases and RDC filings vary depending on the facts of each case and the applicable laws and regulations. Landlords and tenants involved in rental disputes should seek professional legal guidance before making decisions or initiating legal proceedings through the Rental Disputes Center.