Your rights as a tenant in Dubai in 2024

Planning to rent your first property in Dubai, or maybe you’re a seasoned tenant, about to go into another contract - well then, here are some important things you need to know.

RERA, which is Dubai’s real estate regulatory agency, has specific laws that outline the roles and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords.

Tenants! You might be pleased to know, we’ve broken all these down for you…

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Is the price right?

The most important step in any tenancy is to understand if the price you are paying is right.

Typically, landlords tend to charge a higher rent rate to tenants, especially those who opt for multiple debits. If you can, it’s usually more cost effective to arrange one payment, and ensure the price you are paying is correct. This can be checked with your agent, or through our DataHub - which gives you live updates about recent transactions in your community.

Onto laws - Maintenance and repairs

When renting a property in Dubai, it's crucial to understand who handles maintenance and repairs. Typically, landlords are responsible for major repairs and maintenance work. However, specifics can vary based on your rental agreement, so make sure to take a good read at it before signing off.

The property owner will usually take responsibility for general maintenance and repairs, but it’s important tenants refer to the contract in this instance, as there is no ‘one size fits all’.

Your tenancy agreement may limit the landlord's responsibility to any major repairs that exceed a specific amount.

In general, tenants are usually responsible for minor repairs, with a common threshold being up to AED 500 for apartments and AED 1000 for villas. Always check your rental contract for precise details to ensure clarity on maintenance obligations and avoid any misunderstandings.

Early termination - Is it allowed?

Tenants in Dubai have the right to vacate a property before the end of the contract, provided they give one month's prior notice.

However, unless the rental agreement includes a specific clause for early termination, landlords are not required to refund any prepaid rent. Dubai does not have laws governing early termination of rental contracts, so it's wise to include an early termination clause in your agreement beforehand. This clause should outline the notice period and any penalties for ending the contract early, ensuring clarity and protection for both parties.

Contract renewal clauses

Tenants in Dubai can renew their rental contracts by informing the landlord at least 90 days before the contract's expiry date.

If the landlord does not have a valid reason for eviction, the tenant has the right to remain in the property and continue the lease without any issues.

Rent is rising - is this allowed?

Your landlord does have the power to increase your rental rate on an annual basis but this has to be based on Dubai Land Department’s Rental Index. However, they must provide you with a written notice of 90 days.

If they inform you after this time period, you can legally and rightfully refuse the rent increase.

What about security deposits?

In Dubai, landlords always require a security deposit. This deposit is typically 5% for unfurnished and 10% for furnished properties and if you return the property in good condition at the end of your contract, it will be refunded.

Can you sublet?

It’s important to be aware, that in cases where an apartment is being illegally sublet or used, for anything that was not agreed within the initial contract, there have been many cases where a landlord has served an eviction notice as little as fifteen days.

If you are on an annual contract, your landlord must reach out to a registered lawyer or notary public to inform you in regards to any eviction notice.

Hope this guide was helpful to you!

If you are searching for your next home, get in touch with our team of experts!

And if you have any further queries or doubts, feel free to contact our Head of Property Management; Anisha Sagar.