Housing & tenancy dispute help — by country
Deposits, rent increases, eviction and repairs: these are the official rent-dispute tribunals and tenancy authorities in each country. Most are low-cost, and several require the tenancy to be registered before they can help.
Register the tenancy and keep every payment record — in Ireland (RTB), Saudi Arabia (Ejar) and much of the Gulf, a registered contract is what lets the tribunal act. Never move out or stop paying rent without advice; it can weaken an otherwise strong deposit or eviction case.
| Country | Official body | Call | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | HUD — Fair HousingHousing discrimination complaints under the Fair Housing Act. Evictions, deposits and repairs are state/local law — each state and many cities have their own tenant protections.Legal basis: Fair Housing Act | — | www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp |
| United Arab Emirates | Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (Dubai)Dubai's dedicated rental-disputes court under the Dubai Land Department — rent increases (RERA calculator), eviction, deposit and maintenance disputes between landlords and tenants.Legal basis: Dubai tenancy laws (Law 26/2007 and Decree 26/2013) | — | dubailand.gov.ae |
| Saudi Arabia | REGA — EjarRegisters tenancy contracts and runs the rental-dispute committees for landlord-tenant disputes — rent, eviction, deposits and maintenance.Legal basis: Ejar tenancy regulations | — | rega.gov.sa/en/rega-services/platforms/ejar |
| Qatar | Doha MunicipalityMunicipal tenancy services and the rent-disputes committee for landlord-tenant cases — rent, eviction, deposits and maintenance.Legal basis: Rental Law (Law 4/2008) | — | www.dohuha.gov.qa |
| Oman | Muscat Municipality — Rent Disputes CommitteeResolves residential tenancy disputes — deposit returns, rent increases, eviction, and maintenance — under the Rent Law (Royal Decree 6/1989). Also where you register a tenancy contract.Legal basis: Rent Law (Royal Decree 6/1989) | — | omanportal.gov.om |
| India | Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs — RERAReal-estate regulation; each state's RERA authority and appellate tribunal handle homebuyer-builder disputes — delayed possession, refunds, defects.Legal basis: Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 | — | mohua.gov.in/cms/RealEstate.php |
| Indonesia | ATR/BPNLand and property registration, land certificates, and land-dispute services.Legal basis: Basic Agrarian Law (Law 5/1960) | — | www.atrbpn.go.id |
| United Kingdom | ShelterFree emergency housing advice — eviction, homelessness, disrepair and deposits. Separate services cover Scotland and Wales.Legal basis: Housing Act 1988 and the Renters' Rights Act 2025 | 0808 800 4444 | england.shelter.org.uk |
| Ireland | Residential Tenancies Board (RTB)Free dispute resolution for tenancy issues — deposits, rent increases, eviction, standards. Registration of tenancies is mandatory for landlords.Legal basis: Residential Tenancies Act 2004 | — | www.rtb.ie |
| France | ADILFree legal and financial housing advice in every département — deposits, rent increases, eviction, repairs — for tenants and owners.Legal basis: Loi n° 89-462 (rapports locatifs) | — | www.anil.org |
| Germany | Federal Ministry of Justice — Consumer & Tenancy LawGuidance on tenancy law (Mietrecht) — rent increases, deposits, termination; disputes are decided by the local Amtsgericht, and tenants' associations (Mieterverein) give member advice.Legal basis: Mietrecht in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) | — | www.bmj.de |
| Singapore | HDBPublic-housing rules — eligibility, the Minimum Occupation Period, resale and renting out; tenancy money disputes go to the Small Claims Tribunals.Legal basis: Housing and Development Act | — | www.hdb.gov.sg |
| Denmark | HuslejenævnetFree/low-fee statutory rent board in every municipality — rent disputes, deposit returns, repairs and eviction.Legal basis: Lejeloven (Rent Act) | — | www.boligejer.dk/huslejenaevn |
| Iceland | Kærunefnd húsamálaFree statutory committee that resolves residential-tenancy disputes — deposits, rent, repairs and termination.Legal basis: Rent Act (Húsaleigulög nr. 36/1994) | — | island.is |
| Canada | Provincial Residential Tenancy BoardTenancy is provincial: rent, deposits, repairs and eviction are decided by your province's tenancy board — Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board, BC's Residential Tenancy Branch, Alberta's RTDRS and equivalents elsewhere.Legal basis: Provincial/territorial Residential Tenancies Acts | — | www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca |
| Australia | State tenancy tribunal (VCAT / NCAT / QCAT)Each state runs a low-fee tribunal for residential-tenancy disputes — bond return, repairs, rent, eviction. Bonds are held by the state bond authority.Legal basis: State Residential Tenancies Acts | — | www.vcat.vic.gov.au |
| New Zealand | Tenancy ServicesTenancy rights, bond lodgement and free mediation; unresolved disputes go to the Tenancy Tribunal.Legal basis: Residential Tenancies Act 1986 | — | www.tenancy.govt.nz |
Each entry links to the official body and shows the date we last verified it. This is legal information, not advice, and we don't take payment to list anyone. See the full country directories for every channel, not just the headline one.