UAE legal Q&As: Consequences for me if friend driving my car is caught with alcohol?

An alcohol licence question from one reader and one on tenancy contract registration fees from another in this week's Know the law.

Q: A friend of mine borrowed a car registered in my name while I was abroad last autumn. Months later, I learnt that he was caught by police with alcohol in the car and he was jailed. I fear I might face police action. Do you think there will be a case against me as I am the owner of the car?

A: According to law, only the person who was driving the car at the time of the arrest is responsible for the alcohol found inside. Possessing alcohol without a licence in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is a crime punishable a fine or prison. There would be no charges against you. Your friend, however, will be, if not already, charged with possessing alcohol without a licence.

Q: Is it the responsibility of a tenant to pay an administration fee to renew the contract for a flat? What can a tenant do if this is asked of them and it was not mentioned in relation to the previous year's contract? Also, is a tenant allowed to refuse to show the flat to prospective tenants? Lastly, what is the charge and punishment for someone caught living with someone of the opposite sex without being married?

A: Article 22 of Law 26 from 2007 and amended the following year describes the relationship between landlords and tenants in Dubai. This law made it obligatory that the tenant pays all fees and taxes related to the services they are receiving, unless it states otherwise in the contract. However, a fee levied by a non-government body to renew a contract is not legally binding. In fact, there should be no fee for renewing a tenancy contract. As for showing the flat to other potential tenants, this is an ethical matter, and it is unethical of a landlord to ask this of a tenant. According to Article 34 of the law above, the landlord cannot take any action that may cause harm in any form to the tenant. Asking a tenant to allow viewers in is also a breach of the tenant’s privacy, so it is not allowed. Lastly, living with an unrelated member of the opposite sex is not allowed under UAE law and punishments tend to be jail sentences of between one and six months, followed by deportation.

If you have a question for our lawyer, please email it to [e-mail] with the subject line “Know the law”.