Dubai Rent Renewal: Know Your Rights on Rent Hikes and Fees

Oct 09, 2026
News
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A tenancy contract renewal entails more than merely agreeing to a new rental price. Tenants must be aware of the regulations regarding rent hikes, renewal fees, agent commissions, and registration fees prior to accepting new conditions. The laws regarding Dubai properties protect tenants against certain obligations, but each expense must be treated on its own based on its goal and applicable laws.

Before renewing the contract, make sure to check:

If the suggested rent increase is allowed.
If the appropriate notice was given.
If additional fees are official charges or separate services.
If there are new conditions in the adjusted rental agreement.

It is vital to be aware of the information above and not to be passively accepting the costs in the Dubai real estate.

DubaiRentRenewalRulesHikesFeesAndEjariCosts

How Much Rent Can a Landlord Charge?

Rent increases in Dubai are regulated by Decree No. 43 of 2013. The increased rent amount is determined by the appropriate rental index and the distance of current rent from average rental value.

The permissible increase ranges from 0 to 20%.

No increase: The current rent is no higher than 10% lower than the average rent.
5% increase: The current rent is in the 10-20% lower range.
10% increase: The current rent is in the 20-30% lower range.
15% increase: The current rent is in the 30-40% lower range.
20% increase: The current rent is over 40% lower than the average rent value.

It’s a must for the tenant to consider their particular index and not only to assume that there will be an increase during the renewal period. While looking for an apartment for rent one should get convinced that the change takes place. The same principle applies when accesing 2 bedrooms apartments for rent in Dubai, the landlord is not entitled to use the maximum permissible increase indiscriminately and without regard to the rent category.

Notice Period of 90 Days

If a landlord wants to increase the amount of rent chargeable or any change in tenancy agreement then a prior written notice of at least 90 days before the date of expiry of the lease must be given.

The tenants must:

Verify the contract expiration date and the notice period to be followed in accordance with the agreement
Preserve all written notices, emails, and messages
Compare the proposed rent with the respective rental index
Ask for clarification in case of any questionable calculation
Consult an expert if the parties cannot reach an agreement.

Conditions prevailing in Dubai real estate market may have an impact on the negotiations but do not supersede any rental rules that apply to the respective situation. This is especially important in case of renewal of luxury apartments for rent as a revision of rent would cause higher costs of yearly accommodation.

Are Renewal Fees Permissible for Landlords?

The RDC dealt with the question of whether property owners can charge fees exclusively for prolonging lease agreements, affirming in 2020 that landlords and their representatives lack the right to collect money. A special provision prohibiting this possibility was also highlighted in the said recommendation. Thus, landlords and property managers cannot charge tenants for administrative, processing, and renewal fees because of lease extension.

Before making payments, tenants are advised to:

Ask for clarification and detailed explanation.
Determine whether it is part of the expense for registration.
Keep all the receipts and other documents.
Consult the application if the charges don’t correspond with the advice received from the RDC.

For investors considering property investment in Dubai, the distinction between acceptable costs and illegal renewal fees simplifies the analysis of rental fees. The same concerns people who intend to make the real estate investment Dubai and compute the expenses on the principles of legality and validity.

When is an Agent Able to Charge an Additional Fee?

Agent commissions and service fees differ from charges that are applied solely for renewing a tenancy. If a tenant engages an agent to negotiate the terms of a rental or prepare rental documents then a service charge may incur depending on the nature of the agreement and who pays the charge.

Before making any payments, you should consider:

Initial Agreement: What were the commission or service terms?
Nature of Service: What additional work is being done?
Payment Obligation: Who agreed to pay?
Proof of Payment: Is it documented in writing?

A real estate company in Dubai should clarify how fees are charged. Individuals comparing properties for rent in Dubai should ensure that they can differentiate between rent and other expenses like agent commissions and registration fees. Having a distinct service contract is not enough of a justification for requesting any arbitrary renewal fee.

How Much Is It to Register Ejari?

Ejari registration costs distinct from the landlord renewal charge. According to the Dubai Land Department, the rates below apply to the respective channels:

For the Dubai REST app or DLD website, Ejari registration fees amount to Dh177.75 (including respective fees relating to service partner, knowledge, and innovation fees).
If you go through the Real Estate Services Trustee Centre, the total amount will be Dh220.

It should be noted that the fees specified above are registration fees and not the landlord renewal fees. Thus, you should check the amount in advance because fees and terms may change. In terms of accessing a furnished studio apartment for rent in Dubai, this information is significant because you know that registration fees will be separate from rent and other financial payments. Those who are going to arrange short term holiday rentals in Dubai should also check the licensing and registration requirements, as the regulatory scheme may be different for the holiday homes.

Checklist Prior to Renewing Tenancy

Tenants must check the following items before signing the renewed contract:

Ensure the termination date and time frame for notification is known.
Confirm the increase in rent with the relevant rent index.
Obtain written confirmation regarding the terms.
Identify the illegal renewal fee from the valid registration fee.
Review any separate agreement on agency services.
Keep a copy of notifications, contracts, invoices, and receipts.
Contact the RDC in case of any unresolved dispute.

Rental demand varies across the Emirate of Dubai, with neighborhoods such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Furjan, Business Bay, and Dubai Hills Estate being popular with certain tenant groups. Understanding the fees applicable to either renting a property or comparing luxury properties for sale proves useful when assessing one’s housing expenditures. Landlords and tenants using luxury villas for rent must apply the requirements under the tenancy laws to their rights or obligations related to individual agreements, as not all tenancy agreements have identical clauses.

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