Letting in Dubai: a landlord’s guide

Set the right rent

Set the rent from evidence. We compare recent leases for similar homes in your building and community, then adjust for view, floor, furnishing and condition. The RERA rental index also matters, because it typically governs how far rent can rise at renewal. A home priced in line with the market usually lets faster, and empty weeks are rarely recovered.

Payment terms are part of the price. Many tenants prefer to pay in several cheques, while some will pay in fewer cheques in exchange for a lower rent. Decide in advance what you will accept. Furnished homes can achieve a higher rent but attract a different tenant and need more upkeep. We set out the options before you list.

• Recent leases for comparable homes
• RERA rental index for your area
• Furnished or unfurnished
• Your preferred cheque arrangement

Prepare the home for letting

First impressions shape both the rent and the tenant you attract. Before marketing, service the air conditioning, fix small defects, check the appliances and arrange a deep clean. Keep finishes neutral. Make sure keys, access cards and parking permits are ready. We arrange professional photography and a floor plan, and obtain the DLD permit that every advertisement must carry.

Have your documents to hand: the title deed, your passport and, if you are resident, your Emirates ID. If someone will act for you, they will need a valid power of attorney. If the home is mortgaged, check whether your bank needs to be told about a letting. A complete file at the start avoids delays when the tenant is ready to sign.

Finding and approving tenants

We qualify tenants before viewings and review identification, residence status and, where appropriate, employment details. Offers come to you in writing, covering rent, cheques, start date and any requests. A reliable tenant on fair terms is often worth more than a marginally higher rent, because a long tenancy with on-time payments reduces vacancies and wear on the home.

On signing, the tenant pays a security deposit, commonly 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished home and 10% for a furnished one, and provides the rent cheques. Leasing commission is commonly 5% of the annual rent plus VAT and is usually paid by the tenant. A joint check-in report with dated photographs protects both sides at the end.

• Identification and residence status checked
• Written offer with rent, cheques and start date
• Security deposit and rent cheques on signing
• Signed check-in report with photographs

Registering the tenancy on Ejari

Every tenancy in Dubai must be registered on Ejari, the official tenancy registration system run under the DLD. Registration gives the contract legal standing, and the tenant needs the certificate to connect utilities and for many residency services. It can be completed by the landlord, the tenant or the broker, and we usually handle it as part of our leasing service.

The documents usually include the signed tenancy contract, the title deed, identification for landlord and tenant, and the electricity and water premises number. Registration is renewed each time the tenancy is renewed. Rental disputes are heard by a dedicated centre under the DLD, which generally expects the tenancy to be registered, so register promptly every time.

Managing the tenancy

Day-to-day management covers rent collection, maintenance requests, renewals and the end of each tenancy. Landlords are typically responsible for major maintenance unless the contract says otherwise, while tenants handle minor upkeep. Prompt repairs protect both the home and the relationship. Our leasing desk can manage these tasks for you under a written management agreement.

Renewals need planning. Changes to the rent or terms must usually be notified in writing in advance, and increases are typically limited by the RERA rental index. Ending a tenancy requires lawful grounds and formal notice under Dubai’s rent law. We track renewal dates, confirm the current rules and advise you well before any notice is due.

Letting as a holiday home

Letting a home for short stays is treated differently from an annual tenancy. Owners need a holiday-home permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism, either directly or through a licensed holiday-home operator. Some buildings and communities restrict short stays, so check the building rules first. Guests must be registered, and tourism fees are collected on each stay.

Short-term letting can produce higher gross income, but the costs and effort are higher too. Furnishing, cleaning, linen, utilities, booking fees and periods without guests all reduce the return. Compare the net figure with an annual let before deciding. Our leasing desk can model both options for your home and explain the current permit requirements.

• Holiday-home permit from DET
• Building or community approval for short stays
• Guest registration and tourism fees
• Furnishing, cleaning and operating costs