Owner guide
Renting Out Your Property in Dubai
Ejari, service charges, tenant screening, pricing and maintenance — what Dubai landlords need to get right before handing over the keys.
Price against reality, not against your neighbour's listing
Asking prices are not achieved prices. What matters is what similar units in your building actually signed for in recent months, and how long they sat empty first. Two months of vacancy chasing a higher rent usually costs more than the increase you were holding out for.
Screen the tenant properly
Verify identity and visa status, employment and income, and where they lived before. Ask for the previous landlord or agent. A tenant who objects to basic checks is telling you something useful. Cheque count matters too — fewer cheques means less cash flow risk, but never at the cost of a weaker tenant.
| Self-managing | Property manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Your time | Viewings, calls, repairs, renewals | One update a month |
| Cost | No management fee | A fee agreed in writing, usually a % of rent |
| Best for | Owners in the UAE with one unit | Overseas owners or several units |
| Risk | Missed notices and slow repairs | Choosing a manager without clear reporting |
Get the paperwork right
A written tenancy contract, registered with Ejari, is what makes your position enforceable — it is also what your tenant needs for utilities and visa matters. Record the handover condition with dated photographs and a signed inventory. Be explicit about who pays for what: chiller, utilities, minor repairs, annual servicing.
Costs owners forget to budget
Annual service charges — the single biggest drag on net yield.
AC servicing, deep cleaning and repainting between tenants.
Vacancy — assume some, every few years, and plan for it.
Fix small things quickly
A responsive landlord keeps good tenants for years, and a tenant who renews is worth far more than a slightly higher rent from someone new. Most expensive repairs began as a small complaint that nobody answered.
The rules every Dubai landlord should know
- Ejari — register every tenancy contract. Without it, disputes and utility connections become difficult.
- Rent increases are limited by the official Dubai rental index. Check the rent calculator for your unit before asking for more at renewal.
- Notice for changes — to change rent or terms at renewal, notice is generally required 90 days before the contract ends.
- Eviction is only allowed for specific legal reasons, and some require 12 months’ notice sent through a notary or registered mail.
- Security deposit — commonly around 5% of annual rent for unfurnished and 10% for furnished units; record the condition at move-in.
When to hand it to a manager
If you live outside the UAE, own more than one unit, or simply do not want calls about a leaking tap at midnight, professional management pays for itself — mostly through shorter vacancies, better tenants and compliance you do not have to think about.
Tenancy rules and registration requirements are updated from time to time — confirm the current process before signing.
Sources & notes
- Dubai rental index and rent calculator: dubailand.gov.ae
- Ejari registration — Dubai Land Department / Dubai REST app
- Rental Disputes Center, Dubai — for unresolved disputes
Talk to someone who will give you a straight answer
Tell us what you are trying to do. We reply on WhatsApp, usually the same day, and we will tell you if something is not right for you.
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