Tenant rights in Dubai

The law behind your tenancy

Residential tenancies in Dubai are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, with rent increases regulated by Decree No. 43 of 2013. Your signed contract sits on top of this framework. A contract term cannot normally take away a protection the law gives you, so it helps to know the main ones. This page is a general guide, not legal advice. For anything contested, confirm the current rule with DLD/RERA or a lawyer.

Right to a registered contract

Your tenancy should be registered on Ejari. Registration gives the contract official standing and is required for DEWA, visas and most disputes. If your landlord has not done it, see Ejari registration for tenants.

Rights on rent and renewal

• The landlord must give at least 90 days' written notice before expiry to change the rent or terms.
• Any increase must sit within the band allowed by Decree No. 43 of 2013 and the RERA rental index.
• If you have honoured the contract and no valid notice was given, the tenancy generally renews on the same terms.

Our guide to rent increase rules has the full table and how to use the official calculator.

Rights on eviction

A landlord cannot simply ask you to leave because they would like a higher rent. At the end of a contract, eviction is allowed for limited reasons, such as the owner selling, needing the property for their own or immediate family's use, or demolition or major renovation. In those cases the law requires 12 months' written notice served by notary public or registered mail.

During the contract, a landlord may seek eviction on other grounds, such as non-payment or misuse of the property, through the proper legal process. Changing locks, cutting utilities or removing belongings to force you out is not the proper process.

Right to a maintained home

Unless the contract says otherwise, the landlord is generally responsible for major maintenance and for keeping the property fit to live in. Tenants usually handle minor repairs and damage they cause. Report faults in writing with photos and keep the thread. It is your evidence if a repair is ignored.

Rights over your deposit and privacy

Your security deposit should be returned at the end of the tenancy, less reasonable, documented deductions. See security deposits in Dubai. The landlord should also give reasonable notice before visiting, except in emergencies; it is sensible to agree viewing arrangements in the contract.

Your responsibilities

Rights come with duties: pay rent on time, use the property as a home and not for unauthorised subletting or business, avoid alterations without consent, follow building rules, and hand the property back in good condition. Breaching these is the most common reason tenants lose disputes.

How to enforce your rights

Try to resolve problems in writing first. Many disputes end once the landlord sees the rule set out clearly. If not, the Rental Dispute Centre handles tenancy disputes in Dubai. The filing fee is reported as 3.5% of annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000; check the current fee before filing.