Disputes under Bahrain's Real Estate Lease Law (Law 27 of 2014) are now heard by the High Civil Court. Law 13 of 2020 abolished the old Rental Disputes Committee and moved its cases to the court.
Key points from the law
- The High Civil Court rules on all disputes that arise from applying the lease law.
- If the claim is worth BD 1,000 or less, the court's ruling is final. It can be appealed only on narrow grounds: a breach of the rules on which court should hear the case, a void judgment, or a procedural error that affected the ruling.
- Cases that were still open before the Rental Disputes Committee were moved to the High Civil Court.
Before you go to court
- Gather your lease, payment receipts and any written messages with the landlord.
- Many problems are settled with a written notice first. Keep copies of everything you send.
What people miss
For small claims, the first ruling is usually the last, so prepare your evidence fully the first time.
Steps
- Collect your lease, receipts and written messages.
- Try to settle in writing first and keep copies.
- File the case at the High Civil Court if it is not settled.