Landlord’s guide: How to lease a property in Dubai in 2026

Updated October 2026. Rules checked against Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, its 2008 amendment (Law No. 33 of 2008), Decree No. 43 of 2013 and Dubai Land Department guidance.

Renting out a property in Dubai is straightforward once you know the rules. Every lease must be registered on Ejari, rent rises are capped by the official Rental Index, and the law sets out exactly when you can ask a tenant to leave. This landlord’s guide covers how to lease a property in Dubai in 2026, from preparing the unit to renewals and evictions.

How do I prepare my property for rent?

• Fix and clean. Service the AC, check plumbing and appliances, and repaint if needed. Under the tenancy law the landlord is responsible for maintenance during the lease unless the contract says otherwise, so problems you fix now save calls later.
• Clear service charges. Owners pay service charges to the building, not tenants, and arrears can cause access problems for your tenant.
• Check the Ejari details. DLD now asks owners to record a unit’s type, use and any upgrades in the property details before starting a contract, which helps support the rent you ask.
• Decide furnished or unfurnished. Furnished units can achieve higher rents but need more upkeep and usually a larger deposit.
• Price it correctly. Look at recent registered rents in your building. Get a free rental valuation.

How do I lease my property in Dubai, step by step?

1. Appoint a RERA-registered agent or manage it yourself. To market the unit, an agent needs your signed agreement and must get a Trakheesi advertising permit.
2. Screen the tenant. Ask for a passport, visa and Emirates ID copy, and for companies a trade licence.
3. Sign the tenancy contract. Use the standard Dubai unified tenancy contract and add any special terms as an addendum, such as maintenance responsibilities, pets, or notice to leave.
4. Collect the deposit and rent cheques. See the norms below.
5. Register the contract on Ejari. Registration is required by law. It costs about AED 175 online or about AED 220 at a trustee centre, and the tenant usually pays.
6. Hand over. Do a dated inspection with photos, record meter readings, and hand over keys and access cards. The tenant then opens DEWA in their name.

Why does Ejari registration matter?

Law No. 26 of 2007 requires every lease, and any amendment, to be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) through Ejari. Your tenant needs the Ejari certificate to connect DEWA, sponsor family visas and access other services. If there is ever a dispute, the Rental Disputes Centre will ask for a registered contract, so an unregistered lease puts you in a weaker position.

How much security deposit and how many cheques?

The law allows a landlord to take a security deposit and requires it, or the balance, to be refunded at the end of the lease. It does not fix the amount. The common market practice in 2026 is:

Fewer cheques usually means a lower rent can be agreed. You can deduct from the deposit for damage beyond normal wear and tear, so a dated move-in report with photos is your best protection.

Who pays what: landlord or tenant?

How much can I increase the rent?

You can only change the rent at renewal, and only if two conditions are met:

1. Notice: you must tell the tenant of the change at least 90 days before the contract expires (Article 14 of the tenancy law, as amended). DLD has confirmed that late notice means the increase cannot apply at that renewal.
2. The Rental Index allows it: under Decree No. 43 of 2013, the maximum increase depends on how far the current rent is below the average for similar units in DLD’s Rental Index.

Since January 2025, DLD’s Smart Rental Index rates each building based on its condition, facilities and location, so the average is building-specific rather than area-wide. Check your unit on the DLD Rental Index in the Dubai REST app or DLD website before sending notice.

When can I ask a tenant to leave?

A lease cannot be ended early by one side alone. If the tenant stays on after expiry with no objection, the contract renews on the same terms for the same period or one year, whichever is shorter.

During the lease

The law lists specific grounds, including non-payment of rent within 30 days of a formal notice, subletting without your written consent, illegal use of the property, or damage the tenant causes. These cases go to the Rental Disputes Centre.

At the end of the lease

You can only recover the property at expiry for these reasons, with at least 12 months’ notice served through a notary public or by registered mail:

• You want to sell the property.
• You or a first-degree relative need to live in it and have no other suitable home.
• The building is being demolished or reconstructed, with the required permits.
• Restoration or major maintenance is needed that cannot be done with the tenant in place, confirmed by a Dubai Municipality report.

If you take a residential property back for your own or family use, you cannot rent it to someone else for at least two years. Wanting a higher rent is not a ground for eviction.

Can I rent my property as a holiday home?

Yes, but short-term letting needs a holiday home permit from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DTCM). Each unit must be registered, the building or developer may need to approve it, and guests are charged the Tourism Dirham. You can register as an individual owner or use a licensed holiday home operator. Returns can be higher than a yearly lease, but so are the work and running costs.

Curious what other landlords are asking? See homes to rent in Dubai.

Let Houzon manage it for you

Houzon is a RERA-registered agency rated 4.9 on Google from more than 280 client reviews. Our property management packages (Gold and Diamond) cover tenant search, Ejari, rent collection, maintenance and renewals, and we send a tailored quote within 24 hours. Prefer to start with the numbers? Book a free valuation.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ejari mandatory for landlords in Dubai?

Yes. Dubai law requires every tenancy contract and any amendment to be registered with RERA through Ejari. The tenant usually pays the fee, but the landlord should make sure it is done.

How much security deposit can a landlord take in Dubai?

The law does not set a figure. The usual practice is 5% of the annual rent for unfurnished homes and 10% for furnished homes, refundable at the end of the lease less any valid deductions.

How much notice do I need to give to increase rent?

At least 90 days before the contract expires, and the increase must be allowed by the DLD Rental Index under Decree No. 43 of 2013.

Can I evict a tenant to sell my property?

Yes, at the end of the lease, if you give at least 12 months’ notice through a notary public or by registered mail. You can also sell with the tenant in place, as the lease continues with the new owner.

Who pays service charges, the landlord or the tenant?

The landlord pays building service charges. The tenant pays DEWA, the housing fee and usually Ejari and cooling charges.