Renting in the UAE is governed by clear tenancy laws designed to protect both landlords and tenants — but Dubai and Abu Dhabi use different registration systems and rent-increase rules. Dubai runs on Ejari and Dubai Land Department's Smart Rental Index; Abu Dhabi runs on Tawtheeq, under the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre. Use the Dubai / Abu Dhabi switch below to see what applies to you.
Step-by-Step: What You Need to Know
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Sign your tenancy contract
Agree the term, rent and any clauses with your landlord or agent and sign the tenancy contract — always in writing, even for renewals.
Register it on Ejari
Every Dubai tenancy must be registered on Ejari, the official rental registration system — required for utility connections, visa applications and as legal proof of your tenancy. Registering it yourself online commonly costs roughly AED 170–220 all-in; by law this is the landlord's responsibility, though in practice it's often handled or paid by the tenant.
Know the security deposit norms
A refundable security deposit is standard — commonly around 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished unit and around 10% for a furnished one — refundable at the end of the lease, less any deductions for damage.
Rent increases follow the Smart Rental Index
A landlord may raise the rent only if it is below the average for comparable homes in Dubai Land Department's Smart Rental Index (launched in 2025, it rates each building on its quality, services and location). The limits come from Decree 43 of 2013: no increase if your rent is up to 10% below the average; up to 5% if 11–20% below; 10% if 21–30% below; 15% if 31–40% below; and 20% if more than 40% below. Check your own home on the DLD website or the Dubai REST app.
90-day increase notice
A landlord must give you written notice of any rent increase at least 90 days before your renewal date — if they don't, you're not obligated to accept the increase for that renewal.
Your renewal rights
As long as you pay the rent and honour the contract, the landlord cannot simply end your tenancy. To take the home back when the contract ends — to sell it, live in it or carry out major works — the landlord must have a legal reason and give you 12 months' written notice through a notary public or registered mail (Law 26 of 2007, as amended by Law 33 of 2008, Article 25(2)).
Sign your tenancy contract
Agree terms with your landlord and sign a written tenancy contract — the basis for your Tawtheeq registration.
If you disagree: the Rental Dispute Center
Rent, deposit and eviction disputes in Dubai go to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) of Dubai Land Department, which first tries to settle them amicably. Keep your Ejari certificate, the signed contract, cheque copies and every notice in writing.
Registered via Tawtheeq
Abu Dhabi tenancies are registered on Tawtheeq (through TAMM). Registration is the landlord's responsibility: a one-off AED 900 per property plus AED 5 per unit, then AED 50 a year for each contract or renewal. The Tawtheeq certificate is needed for utilities and as legal proof of your tenancy.
Security deposit & municipality fee
A refundable security deposit (commonly around 5% of annual rent) is standard practice. Separately, expatriate tenants pay a municipality housing fee — commonly cited at 5% of the annual rent — collected in instalments via the utility bill; UAE nationals are typically exempt for their own residence.
Rent increases: frozen for now
In June 2026 Abu Dhabi set the yearly rent increase on renewal to 0% (from 5%) for tenancies registered on Tawtheeq, until further notice. Renewals and new contracts on the same home refer to the rent in its last registered Tawtheeq contract. ADREC's Rental Index is for guidance on area averages only.
Advance notice required
As in Dubai, landlords must give advance written notice before a rent increase or before declining to renew — always get any proposed change in writing well before your renewal date.
Dispute resolution
Rental disputes in Abu Dhabi are handled through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Rent Disputes Committee, separate from Dubai's Rental Dispute Settlement Centre — keep your Tawtheeq certificate and payment records on hand if a dispute arises.
Sources
Checked against these official sources on 30 October 2026.