Setting the right rent in Dubai

Why the first rent matters most

Once a tenant is in place, increases at renewal are limited by Decree No. 43 of 2013 and the RERA rental index, and need 90 days' notice. That makes the rent you set for a new tenancy the most important pricing decision you make. Set it too low and you may be stuck below market for some time. Set it too high and the unit sits empty, which costs money you will not recover.

Start with real comparables

Asking prices on portals tell you what other landlords hope for, not what tenants pay. The best evidence is recent signed rents for similar units in the same building or community, ideally from Ejari-registered contracts and agents who closed them. Compare like with like: same bedroom count, similar size, floor and view, furnished or not.

Our rental valuation service compiles this evidence for your specific unit.

Check the RERA rental index

The RERA rental index gives an official average for your area and property type. Since January 2025, the Smart Rental Index also considers building classification, so the benchmark reflects the quality of your building. It is not a price ceiling for new lets, but it matters: it is the reference for future renewals, and tenants increasingly check it. See Dubai rental index explained and Smart Rental Index building ratings.

Adjust for your unit

• Condition: fresh paint, working appliances and a deep clean can justify the top of the range.
• Layout and view: open views and practical layouts let faster.
• Furnishing: see furnished vs unfurnished letting.
• Parking, storage, maid's room or study: real value to the right tenant.
• Building amenities and management quality.

Cheques and terms are part of the price

Two offers at the same headline rent are not equal. Fewer cheques reduce your risk and help cash flow; a longer stay reduces turnover costs; a flexible start date may cut your void. Decide in advance what you would trade, for example a slightly lower rent for one or two cheques.

The cost of an empty month

Every month without a tenant is a month of service charges, DEWA connection costs and lost rent. A modestly lower asking rent that lets quickly often beats a higher figure that takes much longer. Watch the response: if a listing gets few enquiries or viewings without offers in its first weeks, the price or presentation needs attention.

Presentation supports the price

Photos are the first viewing. Clean, bright, well-composed pictures of every room, a floor plan and an honest description bring better-qualified enquiries. Fix small defects before marketing: a dripping tap or a stained wall gives tenants a reason to negotiate. Make the unit easy to view, as slow access loses tenants to the flat next door.

Review, then let

Price with evidence, present the unit well, advertise with a valid permit and review after the first wave of interest. If you prefer to hand this over, our property management team can value, market and let the property, then manage renewals. To estimate returns, try the rental yield calculator.