Luxury Hotel Demands $5,000 Rental Fee from Young Woman, Sparking Outrage

An Abu Dhabi commercial court ordered a woman to pay 18,813 dirhams ($5,125) in unpaid hotel room rent after she failed to complete payments on a long-term accommodation agreement. The case highlights how extended hotel stays are increasingly treated as rental agreements under UAE civil law.

The hotel filed the lawsuit seeking the outstanding amount plus 12% annual interest from the filing date until full payment. According to court documents, the woman had signed an agreement to rent a furnished hotel room for 273 days at 7,200 dirhams per month (every 30 days). She stopped paying partway through the agreement despite repeated requests from the hotel.

The woman didn't appear in court to defend herself, even though she was properly notified of the proceedings. This left her unable to challenge the hotel's evidence or prove she had paid the debt.

The court examined WhatsApp messages between the hotel representative and the guest, which showed the hotel repeatedly asking for payment while the woman kept requesting more time to pay. Under UAE law, these digital communications count as informal written evidence that can be used in court proceedings.

In its ruling, the court explained that rental agreements require the landlord to provide a specific benefit from the rented property for a set period in exchange for known compensation. The rent becomes due when the tenant receives the benefit or has the ability to receive it.

The judge noted that account statements and WhatsApp messages clearly showed the hotel had provided services by renting the room to the woman, and she had failed to pay the full amount owed without justification. Since she didn't appear in court to dispute the evidence or prove her payments, the burden of proof remained unmet.

The court awarded the hotel the full amount plus 5% annual interest as compensation for the delayed payment. The woman must also cover court costs.

This case reflects a growing trend in the UAE where extended hotel stays are being formalized through rental-style agreements rather than traditional nightly bookings. Hotels are increasingly using these arrangements to provide stability for long-term guests while protecting themselves legally. For guests, these agreements can offer better rates but come with the same legal obligations as traditional rental contracts.

The ruling demonstrates how UAE courts are adapting to modern communication methods, accepting digital messages as valid evidence in commercial disputes.