How to write a rent demand letter
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source for your emirate before you act.
A rent demand letter states the amount owed, the period it covers, the deadline to pay and how to pay. Send a first demand by email or message so there is a record. If it is still unpaid, serve a formal payment notice by notary public or registered mail. In Dubai the tenant then has 30 days.
What to include
- Landlord and tenant names, and the property address with the Ejari number.
- The amount due, the period, the cheque or instalment number, and any bounced cheque details.
- A clear deadline and a payment method.
- A plain statement of what happens next, without threats.
- Date and signature.
Rent demand letter (first demand)
[Date] To: [Tenant full name] Property: [Unit, building, area, emirate] Ejari / Tawtheeq number: [number] Dear [Tenant name], Our records show that the rent for [period] of AED [amount], due on [due date], has not been received. [If applicable: Cheque number [number] drawn on [bank] was returned unpaid on [date].] Please pay AED [amount] by [deadline date] by bank transfer to [account details] or by [other method]. If you have already paid, please send me proof of payment. If the amount is not paid by that date, I will serve a formal payment notice under the tenancy law and may refer the matter to the relevant rent dispute body. Yours sincerely, [Landlord name] [Phone] [Email]
After the first demand
If it is unpaid by your deadline, serve a formal payment notice by notary public or registered mail. Keep the receipt. In Dubai the tenant has 30 days from that notice before eviction for non-payment can be pursued. See the legal notice page for the formal version.
Tone and delivery
Stay factual and calm. Do not include accusations or threats. Keep copies of everything. A WhatsApp message is a useful record, but it does not replace a formal notice served by the method your emirate requires.
How DOSH helps
DOSH can draft this letter from your lease and tenant details and, on WhatsApp, from the unpaid payments recorded in your account. You review, edit and send it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a WhatsApp message enough?
It is a good first demand and a useful record. A formal payment notice should be served by notary public or registered mail in Dubai.
How long should I give the tenant?
For the first demand, a few days to two weeks is reasonable. For the formal notice in Dubai the law gives 30 days before eviction for non-payment can be pursued.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not for a first demand. For a formal notice and any case, a lawyer can check the grounds, the period and the documents.
Can I charge interest or late fees?
Only if your lease provides for it. Check the contract, and do not add charges that are not in it.