How is rent increase capped in Dubai?

Rent increases in Dubai are capped under Decree No. 43 of 2013 based on the official RERA Rent Calculator: 0% increase if rent is within 10% of market average; 5% increase if rent is 11-20% below average; 10% increase if 21-30% below; 15% increase if 31-40% below; max 20% increase if more than 40% below market.

What is Ejari in Dubai?

Ejari is Dubai's mandatory tenancy contract registration system managed by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). A registered Ejari is legally required to connect DEWA utility services, register housing fees, sponsor family visas, and file rental disputes with RDC.

Home/Uae/Tenant Landlord Rental Laws Guide

Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 & Law No. 33 of 2008

UAE Tenant & Landlord Rental Laws Guide

Full legal rights for tenants and landlords in Dubai & Abu Dhabi — RERA rent increase caps, 12-month eviction notice mandates, Ejari registration, and filing RDC rental disputes.

UAE Rental Legal Framework

Tenancy relationships in Dubai are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007 (amended by Law No. 33 of 2008) and regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). In Abu Dhabi, tenancy is governed by Abu Dhabi Law No. 20 of 2006.

Disputes between landlords and tenants are adjudicated by specialized tribunals: the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC) in Dubai and the Rental Dispute Committee in Abu Dhabi.

Landlord Eviction Grounds under Article 25 (Law 33/2008)

Eviction Ground	Legal Requirement & Notice Period	Conditions & Penalties
Personal Use (or 1st degree relative)	12 Months Notice sent via Notary Public / Registered Mail	Landlord cannot re-rent property for 2 years (residential) or 3 years (commercial)
Sale of Property	12 Months Notice sent via Notary Public / Registered Mail	Notice must state specific intent to sell property
Demolition or Major Renovation	12 Months Notice + Municipal License / Technical Report	Must prove renovation cannot be conducted while tenant occupies property
Non-Payment of Rent	30 Days Formal Notice via Notary Public / Registered Mail	Tenant must pay outstanding rent within 30 days of notice receipt to avoid immediate eviction
Illegal / Unauthorized Subletting	Immediate Eviction via RDC Court Order	Subtenant also subject to eviction without separate notice

RERA Rent Increase Caps (Decree 43/2013)

Landlords cannot increase rent arbitrarily. Rent increases depend on the official RERA Rent Calculator index:

🟢 Rent within 10% of market average: NO INCREASE allowed (0%)
🟡 Rent 11%–20% below market average: Max 5% increase
🟠 Rent 21%–30% below market average: Max 10% increase
🔴 Rent 31%–40% below market average: Max 15% increase
🔥 Rent >40% below market average: Max 20% increase

Landlord must give tenant 90 days written notice prior to contract renewal if altering rent or contract terms.

Filing an RDC Rental Dispute

If landlord and tenant cannot resolve a dispute:

1. File case at Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC Dubai) at DLD headquarters
2. Filing fee: 3.5% of annual rental value (min AED 500, max AED 20,000)
3. Required docs: Ejari, passport/Emirates ID, tenancy contract, bank statements, 90-day/12-month notices
4. First instance judgment issued within 30 days by RDC judge

Frequently Asked Questions

Under Article 25 of Dubai Law No. 33 of 2008, a landlord must give 12 months' written notice sent via Notary Public or Registered Mail if evicting for personal use, sale, or major renovation.

Increases are capped under Decree No. 43 of 2013: 0% if within 10% of market rate, max 5% if 11-20% below, max 10% if 21-30% below, max 15% if 31-40% below, and max 20% if over 40% below.

Ejari is Dubai's mandatory tenancy contract registration system managed by DLD, required to connect DEWA, pay housing fees, sponsor family visas, and file RDC cases.

🏠 Dubai RERA Rent Increase Calculator →📜 Landlord Eviction Notice Rules Guide →📑 Ejari Tenancy & Housing Fee Calculator →

Dubai RDC & RERA

• Dubai RERA Rental Index: dubailand.gov.ae
• Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC Dubai): rdc.dubailand.gov.ae