Renewing a Tenancy in Dubai: Notice and Rent Caps

Your tenancy in Dubai renews automatically on the same terms unless the landlord gives you 90 days written notice before the contract ends. If that notice does not arrive, nothing changes.

The 90-day rule

Any change to the rent or the terms at renewal requires written notice 90 days before the contract expires. Not 30, not a phone call the week before. Landlords who miss the deadline cannot impose the increase for that year.

This cuts both ways: if you intend to leave, check what notice your contract requires from you.

How much can the rent go up?

How far your rent sits below market	Maximum increase
Up to 10% below	No increase permitted
11% to 20% below	Up to 5%
21% to 30% below	Up to 10%
31% to 40% below	Up to 15%
More than 40% below	Up to 20%

The comparison is to the RERA rental index for similar properties in your area, not to what your landlord would like. Check the index before accepting an increase.

If you disagree with the increase

Check the index yourself and work out what is permitted.
Put your position in writing, calmly, with the calculation.
If it is not resolved, file at the Rental Dispute Centre. See how the process works.

Most increases above the cap are withdrawn once a tenant shows the calculation. Landlords are not usually acting in bad faith; they often have not checked.

Renewing smoothly

Ask about renewal three to four months before expiry rather than waiting.
Fewer cheques is worth asking for at renewal, not just at the start.
Get the renewed contract registered on Ejari again. See Ejari explained.

If you are leaving instead

Give the notice your contract requires, arrange a move-out inspection, and read our guide to getting your deposit back.

Looking for somewhere new? Browse apartments, villas and townhouses for rent, or read the full tenant guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice must a landlord give to increase rent in Dubai?+

Ninety days written notice before the contract ends. If the notice is not given in time, the tenancy renews on the same terms and the increase cannot be imposed that year.

How much can rent increase in Dubai?+

It depends how far your rent sits below the RERA index for similar properties. No increase is permitted if you are within 10 percent of market, rising in steps to a maximum of 20 percent if you are more than 40 percent below.

What if I disagree with a rent increase?+

Check the RERA rental index yourself, put your calculation in writing, and if it is not resolved, file at the Rental Dispute Centre. Most increases above the cap are withdrawn once a tenant shows the numbers.