Can a landlord increase rent before three-year lease expires?

A year ago, I rented a villa from a real estate office for three years. The lease contract stated that the landlord could increase the rent according to the rental index calculator. Three months ago, the real estate office sent me an email saying that the rent was being increased by 20 per cent for the second year. It also asked me to pay service fees for the complex, such as the swimming pool and gym, noting that these services were free for the first year. Does the landlord have the right to increase rent given that the lease is for a period of three years?

- MOHAMMAD EBRAHIM AL SHAIBA

Article 1 of Decree No 43 of 2013 on determining the increase in real estate rentals in Dubai states that the maximum increase in rent upon renewal is 20 per cent if the rental is more than 40 per cent lower than the average market rental rate.

If you have agreed to this in the lease contract, you will have to abide by it. The landlord has the right to increase the rent prior to the expiry of the lease.

The law states that for the purposes of renewing a lease contract, the landlord and tenant may, prior to the expiry of the lease, amend any of its terms or consider increasing or reducing the rent. If they fail to reach an agreement, the rental tribunal may determine the fair rent, taking into account the criteria stipulated in the law