Renting Property in Dubai

General guidance, current as of 2026 but not guaranteed. Rules, fees and the rental index change. Verify with the Dubai Land Department / RERA (dubailand.gov.ae), the Dubai REST app, or the UAE Government portal (u.ae). Our advisor confirms specifics. Do not treat figures here as fixed.

What is the renting process?

1. Agree the rent, term and number of cheques with the landlord/agent. 2. Sign the tenancy contract; pay the agency fee, security deposit and first rent cheque(s). 3. Register the tenancy on Ejari (mandatory in Dubai). 4. Set up DEWA (electricity & water) and, if applicable, cooling (chiller) and internet. 5. Collect keys and move in.

What is Ejari?

Ejari is the official system that registers your tenancy with RERA / the Dubai Land Department. Registration is legally mandatory — an unregistered contract has no formal standing, and Ejari is needed to activate DEWA, apply for/renew visas, connect telecom, and file a rental dispute. It's renewed each year at renewal. The fee is small (commonly around AED 155–220, varies by service centre — confirm the current amount).

Security deposit

Commonly ~5% of the annual rent for unfurnished and ~10% for furnished, refundable at move-out minus any damage beyond fair wear and tear. These are market conventions, not a fixed legal cap — the amount is set in the contract.

Agency fee

A leasing commission of commonly ~5% of the annual rent (+ 5% VAT), typically paid once by the tenant. Market norm, not a fixed legal rate.

Number of cheques

Annual rent is typically paid in 1, 2, 4, 6 or 12 cheques — negotiable, with no legal min/max. Fewer cheques often helps negotiate a lower rent; more cheques ease cash flow. Bank transfers and online rent payment are increasingly accepted too.

Notice periods (these are commonly confused — get them right)

• To change the rent or terms at renewal: the landlord must give **at least 90 days' written

notice** before the contract expiry (Law 33 of 2008). No 90-day notice → rent/terms can't change that cycle.

• To evict for a non-breach reason (owner/close relative moving in, sale, or major

demolition/reconstruction): the landlord must give 12 months' written notice, served via notary public or registered mail (Article 25(2)) — NOT 90 days.

• A tenant leaving early usually owes an early-termination penalty (often around two months' rent)

as set in the contract — it's contractual, not statutory.

How much can a landlord increase the rent?

Increases are capped by Decree 43 of 2013, tied to how far the current rent sits below the RERA rental index (average market rent for comparable units):

• Within 10% of the index → no increase allowed
• 11–20% below → up to 5%
• 21–30% below → up to 10%
• 31–40% below → up to 15%
• More than 40% below → up to 20% (the maximum)

Since January 2025, Dubai uses the Smart Rental Index — an AI, building-level classification (condition, finishes, location, amenities) integrated with Ejari — which powers the official rent calculator (the same tier percentages apply). Check the actual permitted increase for a specific unit on the official RERA/DLD rent calculator (Dubai REST app or dubailand.gov.ae) — never quote an index value from memory.

Disputes

Landlord–tenant disputes go to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC), part of DLD (file at DLD, its website, or Dubai REST). The tenant can challenge a wrongful increase using the official rent calculator output as evidence.

Ongoing costs as a tenant

Rent, DEWA (utilities), cooling/chiller if not included, internet, and in some buildings a housing fee via DEWA. "Bills included" / "chiller free" folds some of these into the rent (chiller-free = the landlord covers the cooling charge; you still pay your own DEWA electricity/water).

How do I rent through you?

Share the area, budget and move-in date with your name and number and our advisor will line up options and viewings.