A Sharjah Municipality official has warned residents against signing blank tenancy contracts, which have reportedly been exploited to dupe residents into signing higher rents than what was verbally agreed.
According to tenants, some real estate agents’ pressure new tenants to sign blank tenancy contracts, saying they will lose the apartment to other residents waiting in line if they don’t sign up right away. When their copy of the contract is returned to them, it mentions a rent amount higher than what was agreed verbally with the agent.
The official said, they cannot do anything to help the tenant because his signature is on the contract, which commits him to the rent amount and conditions. If there is a breach after a signed contract, both parties – the tenant and landlord — can approach them and will address their complaint.
A new tenancy contract is valid for three (3) years in Sharjah, and the rent cannot be increased during this period.
