Living Together Agreement Template for the United Arab Emirates
Generate a bespoke document
What is a Living Together Agreement?
A Living Together Agreement has become increasingly relevant in the UAE following the 2020 legal reforms that decriminalized cohabitation between unmarried couples. This document serves as a formal contract between cohabiting partners who wish to clearly define their rights, responsibilities, and financial arrangements while living together. It addresses crucial aspects such as property ownership, expense sharing, banking arrangements, and dispute resolution mechanisms, all within the framework of UAE law. The agreement is particularly important given the unique legal context of the UAE, where unmarried couples' rights differ significantly from those of married couples. It provides legal clarity and protection for both parties while remaining compliant with local laws and regulations. The document should be carefully drafted to ensure it aligns with both UAE civil law and recent legal reforms while providing comprehensive coverage of all practical aspects of cohabitation.
About the Living Together Agreement
A Living Together Agreement is a legal contract that establishes the rights and responsibilities of unmarried couples who choose to cohabit in the United Arab Emirates. Following the 2020 legal reforms under Federal Decree-Law No. 15, unmarried cohabitation became legally permissible, making these agreements increasingly important for protecting both partners' interests while living together.
When do you need this document?
You need a Living Together Agreement when you and your partner decide to live together without marriage in the UAE. This document becomes essential when you're sharing living expenses, jointly acquiring property or assets, or when one partner financially supports the other. It's particularly crucial if you're expatriates navigating UAE property laws, planning to open joint bank accounts, or if either partner has significant assets or debts. The agreement is also vital when you want to establish clear arrangements for household responsibilities, financial contributions, or future property purchases under UAE law.
Key legal considerations
Your Living Together Agreement must carefully address property ownership rights, as UAE Property Law strictly regulates asset ownership for non-citizens. Include detailed provisions about shared expenses, debt responsibilities, and financial contributions to avoid future disputes. The agreement should specify termination procedures, including how shared assets will be divided and notice requirements for ending the arrangement. Consider including confidentiality clauses and dispute resolution mechanisms that comply with UAE civil law. It's essential to ensure the agreement doesn't conflict with UAE Personal Status Law or create obligations that mirror marriage contracts, which could complicate your legal status.
Legal requirements in United Arab Emirates
Under UAE law, your Living Together Agreement must be written in clear, unambiguous language and should ideally be notarized for enhanced legal validity. The document must comply with the UAE Civil Code's general contract principles, including mutual consent, lawful purpose, and consideration. While not mandatory, having the agreement witnessed or certified by a notary public strengthens its enforceability. The agreement must acknowledge the non-marital nature of your relationship and reference Federal Decree-Law No. 15 of 2020 as the legal basis for cohabitation. Ensure all parties are of legal age and have the mental capacity to enter contracts under UAE law, and consider having the document reviewed by a qualified UAE legal professional to ensure full compliance with local regulations.
GOVERNING LAW
Applicable law
This Living Together Agreement is drafted to comply with United Arab Emirates law. Key legislation includes:
UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985): Governs contractual relationships and property rights between individuals, relevant for establishing the general framework of the agreement
UAE Property Law (Law No. 7 of 2006): Regulates property ownership and rental arrangements in the UAE, crucial for addressing housing aspects of the living together agreement
UAE Personal Status Law (Federal Law No. 28 of 2005): While primarily covering marriage and family matters, understanding its scope is important to ensure the living together agreement doesn't conflict with existing family law provisions
UAE Contract Law (within Civil Code): Provides the legal framework for creating binding agreements between parties, essential for ensuring the enforceability of the living together agreement
Explore 208,390+ legal templates
Explore 208,390+ legal templates
Genie's Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here's how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your data is private:
We do not train on your data; Genie's AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security:
You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it