Your Guide to Real Estate in Dubai | Live and Work in Dubai

Q: I’ve found an apartment and signed a lease agreement. What’s next?

Once the terms of a tenancy contract are agreed upon and signed, the next step is connecting the water and electricity by applying to Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA). Next, the contract must be registered with RERA through the online portal, Ejari.

Q: Can the terms of my lease be altered during the contract period?

As per Article 14 of the Dubai tenancy law, the landlord or tenant can amend the terms of the contract, but they must notify the other party at least 90 days before the contract’s expiry date.

Q: My circumstances have changed, and I’d like to break my lease early. Can I?

According to Article 7 of the RERA tenancy law, rental contracts can only be terminated prior to their expiration date upon the mutual consent and signed agreement between tenant and landlord. There will usually be an early exit clause written into their rental contract, which typically involves some form of compensation due to the landlord.

Q: What happens if the landlord sells my apartment while I’m a tenant?

If the property is sold while tenanted, the terms of the rental contract must be abided by the new landlord for the remainder of the contractual period.

Q: Who is responsible for maintaining my leased property?

In common practice, minor repairs (usually those costing under AED500 or US$136) are the responsibility of the tenant, while anything costing more or requiring any major maintenance work should be undertaken and paid for by the landlord. However, it is important to check the specific terms as mentioned in the tenancy contract, and if such terms are not mentioned, get it clarified from the landlord prior to signing the contract. As the tenant, you are legally obligated to vacate the property in the same condition as it was when you signed the lease.

Q: I’m almost at the end of my 12-month lease. Can my landlord raise my rent?

Yes, the landlord is allowed to increase your rent for the next lease period. However, the increase must be communicated to the tenant 90 days prior to the expiry of the current lease. If the tenant does not wish to continue, they must give notice to the landlord and vacate the property before the next lease period commences. The allowed increase in rent is mandated by RERA guidelines pertaining to the calculated market value of the property and the average market rental rate for the area/locality in question. In general, the rental increase can range from 5% to 20% above the current rate.

Searching for property

Searching for the right property to rent or buy in Dubai is a breeze. Several online portals and real estate tools provide verified, up-to-date information on everything from studio apartments to townhouses and villas. Users can select advanced filters to navigate properties based on price, area and size preferences. It’s important to note that not all listings may be valid, so users should prioritise certified properties.

Popular property search platforms

Bayut
The fastest-growing property portal worldwide, it has the UAE’s largest inventory of units for rent or sale.
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Property Finder
Operating since 2013, this digital platform covers both property rentals and purchases across various categories.
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Propertyguru
Focused on direct collaboration with developers, this platform provides comprehensive details on real estate projects.
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Dubizzle
Classifieds site with a diverse range of listings including a real estate section for buying and renting property.
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Top real estate companies

Driven Properties
Supports clients with information about properties, and services like property valuation and brokerage.
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Haus & Haus
With 10+ years in the Dubai real estate market, Haus & Haus believes in a customised customer approach.
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Fam Properties
A tech-driven agency, it assists buyers, renters and landlords using proprietary technology to provide real-time insights.
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ALLSOP & ALLSOP
An industry leader, it helps with everything from buying and leasing property to off-plan units and mortgage assistance.
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Real estate management app

Dubai REST (Real Estate Self Transaction) is a smart real estate platform that makes realty searches and transactions more efficient for users. Dubai REST has several benefits for owners, tenants, valuators, investors and real estate brokers in Dubai, focusing on convenience and accessibility.
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Transactions can be completed on the app at any time without the need to visit a physical location. Users can also complete important services like managing leases, submitting dispute cases, issuing title deeds and registering mortgages. The app is integrated with Dubai government services like DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) and DLD (Dubai Land Department), providing a secure, unified platform.
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Renting property in Dubai

Renting a property in Dubai – whether an apartment or a villa – is a hassle-free process. Rental prices vary based on multiple factors such as location, property type, quality, age of property, layout, views, market conditions and more. Generally, it is recommended to allocate no more than 30% of one’s income to rentals.

Average annual rental prices for accommodations ranging from one-bedroom apartments and bigger in some prime locations are as below (as of 2024):

Dubai Marina: AED109,000 to AED1.4 million
Dubai Hills Estate: AED101,000 to AED279,000
Mirdif: AED45,000 to AED132,000
Jumeirah Beach Residence: AED118,000 to AED899,000
Al Barsha: AED64,000 to AED454,000

Further information can be found on the Dubai Rental Index, a government initiative under the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). The rental calculator available here is updated annually to ensure customers can access accurate rental price information.

Additional fees to consider

Security deposit (between 5%-10% of annual rent)
DEWA (Dubai Water and Electricity Authority) security deposit fees (AED2,000 for apartments; AED4,000 for villas)
Dubai Municipality housing fees (5% of annual rent, paid in 12 parts)
Ejari fees (around AED220)
Chiller fees for air conditioning (consumption + demand + fuel charges)

Renting process: quick steps

Dubai tenants: frequently asked questions

I’ve found an apartment and signed a lease agreement. What’s next?

Can the terms of my lease be altered during the contract period?

My circumstances have changed, and I’d like to break my lease early. Can I?

What happens if the landlord sells my apartment while I’m a tenant?

Who is responsible for maintaining my leased property?

I’m almost at the end of my 12-month lease. Can my landlord raise my rent?

Dive deeper

Find out more on renting in Dubai, with the latest insights and step-by-step details.

Access guide

Scenic neighbourhood sights

Al Barari
Bur Dubai
DOWNTOWN DUBAI
Palm Jumeirah
Jumeirah

Buying property in Dubai

Buying property in the city comes down to various factors, from deciding on desirable areas to managing the finer details of the purchase. Property ownership in Dubai comes in two forms: freehold and leasehold.

Freehold property means full ownership rights go to the buyer, while leasehold allows ownership for a set period – usually up to 99 years. Buying property in Dubai as a foreigner requires understanding that some areas will only have leasehold options, whereas other localities in Dubai only allow property sales to Emiratis (UAE Nationals) and citizens of other GCC countries.

Average property prices for accommodations ranging from studios to larger apartments and villas in some popular Dubai neighbourhoods are as below (as of 2024):

Dubai South: AED378,000 to AED3.27 million
Dubai Marina: AED949,000 to AED14.5 million
Palm Jumeirah: AED1.4 million to AED110 million
Jumeirah Golf Estates: AED996,000 to AED2.37 million
Arabian Ranches: AED2.63 million to AED17.9 million

Additional fees to consider:

DLD fees (4% of property value + AED430 for land, AED40 for off-plan, AED580 admin fee for apartments and offices)
Property registration fee (based on property value)
Fees for issuing title deed (AED250)
Service charges (generally used to cover maintenance of common areas)