What commercial Ejari actually does
Ejari is Dubai's official tenancy-contract registration system. DLD currently allows registration through the Ejari system, Dubai REST and Real Estate Services Trustee Centres.
For companies, an Ejari record provides the official registered tenancy record for the premises. Whether a particular DET business licence requires that tenancy record before issuance depends on the activity and licensing workflow, so it is safer not to describe every licence category as having one identical prerequisite.
DLD's current service also makes an important distinction between an ordinary tenancy registration and special structures such as property-management and business-centre arrangements.
Commercial Ejari Registration Checker
This checker tests the current DLD workflow at a high level. A positive result does not guarantee approval because the exact tenancy, landlord, property and licensing structure must still satisfy DLD requirements.
Core Ejari registration conditions appear satisfied
The tenant has landlord approval, which is an important current DLD condition for completing a tenant-initiated Ejari request. The exact documents and submission channel still depend on whether the registration is made through Dubai REST, the Ejari system or a trustee centre.
Current DLD Ejari Fees
| Registration: | AED 100 |
| Knowledge fee: | AED 10 |
| Innovation fee: | AED 10 |
| Online/app partner fee: | AED 55 + AED 2.75 VAT |
| Online/app total: | AED 177.75 |
| Trustee-centre total: | AED 220 |
Related UAE Business & Property Guides
International Money Transfer & FX Rates — Transparent Cross-Border Wire Rates
Bypass retail bank markups when transferring USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD, or INR. Check today's real mid-market exchange rate instantly before initiating a transfer.
Current Ejari registration process
Dubai REST / Ejari system
- Log in to Ejari or Dubai REST and select the tenancy service.
- Enter the tenancy information and upload the necessary document.
- Pay the applicable service fees.
- DLD reviews and approves the application.
- Receive the e-Contract Registration Certificate by email.
Real Estate Services Trustee Centre
- Submit the original Unified Tenancy Contract.
- Present the applicant's Emirates ID.
- Provide the official power of attorney if the applicant is a representative.
- The service provider reviews and submits the application.
- Pay the applicable AED 220 total and receive the registration certificate after approval.
Who can initiate Ejari registration?
| Applicant / route | Current DLD treatment |
|---|---|
| Tenant | Can initiate Ejari registration through Dubai REST or a trustee centre, subject to landlord approval. |
| Landlord | Can register through the Ejari system, trustee centres or Dubai REST depending on the landlord/property setup. |
| Property-management company | Can use the Ejari system where it has the required real-estate activity and authorised system access. |
| Legal representative | Can act with the appropriate official power of attorney. |
Property-type considerations
| Property type | Important commercial-use issue |
|---|---|
| Office | The premises must be legally suitable for the intended business activity and licence category. |
| Retail / showroom | The property use, building approvals and activity-specific requirements should match the intended retail or customer-facing activity. |
| Restaurant | Ejari alone does not authorise restaurant operations; additional Dubai Municipality and activity-specific approvals can be required. |
| Warehouse | The permitted property use and activity licensing should match storage, industrial or logistics operations. |
| Business centre | Special DLD requirements can apply, including a landlord NOC for sublease, longer tenancy arrangements, space requirements, approvals and licensing. |
DLD's FAQ contains a special business-centre workflow with additional requirements such as a landlord NOC, a five-year tenancy and specific space/approval conditions. Those requirements should not be generalized to every commercial office lease.
Commercial subleasing
Subleasing is not "strictly illegal" in Dubai. The current legal rule is that the tenant generally needs the lessor's written consent, unless the original lease itself grants the right to sublease.
The current UAE Civil Transactions Law, effective from 1 June 2026, expressly states that a lessee may not assign or sublease all or part of leased property except with written consent of the lessor, unless the lease grants the right.
| Situation | General rule |
|---|---|
| Lease expressly permits sublease | Permitted subject to the lease terms and applicable law. |
| No sublease clause | Obtain written landlord consent before subleasing. |
| Sublease without required consent | Creates contractual and eviction/dispute risk. |
| Business centre / facility-management structure | Additional DLD licensing and landlord-NOC requirements can apply. |
Commercial tenancy rules beyond Ejari
Ejari is registration, not the entire lease law
The contractual rights of landlord and tenant remain governed by the applicable Dubai tenancy legislation, the lease itself and, from 1 June 2026, the relevant provisions of the new UAE Civil Transactions Law where applicable.
Licensing is separate
An Ejari certificate does not itself authorise a business activity. DET, Dubai Municipality, sector regulators, free-zone authorities and other bodies can impose separate activity-specific approvals.
Premises use matters
DLD states that a residential unit cannot simply be used as a commercial office while retaining residential classification. Property use must match the permitted purpose and applicable approvals.
Previous Ejari records matter
DLD states that when a previous lease was not registered, the applicant may first need to regularise the missing registration before registering the current tenancy.
Cancellation and renewal
| Action | Current DLD guidance |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Can be processed through the Ejari system / Dubai REST / trustee channels. |
| Tenant cancellation | DLD's current FAQ provides cancellation routes depending on the contract status and landlord approval. |
| Cancellation by owner / real estate | DLD states that certain owner or real-estate cancellations are free. |
| Trustee cancellation | DLD's FAQ currently lists AED 40 for cancellation through trustee offices. |
| Valid lease | A valid lease generally cannot be unilaterally terminated simply because one party changes its mind; consent or a statutory basis is required. |
Commercial Ejari checklist
Common mistakes to avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
Official primary sources
Ejari requirements can differ for ordinary tenancy registration, property-management arrangements, business centres and subleases. Use the current DLD service page and the exact licensing authority requirements for the intended commercial activity.