Dubai Rental Increase Rules: How Much Can Your Rent Go Up?

Learn about Dubai’s rental increase rules, how the RERA Rental Index regulates rent hikes, and what tenants and landlords should know about legal rent adjustments.

Article Overview

Introduction

1. How Are Rental Increases in Dubai Regulated?

2. Dubai’s Rental Increase Rules: Maximum Allowed Rent Hikes

3. How to Check if Your Rent Can Be Increased?

4. Notice Period for Rent Increases

How Much Notice Should Landlords Give?

What If a Landlord Fails to Give Notice?

5. Common Issues with Rental Increases in Dubai

A. Unlawful Rent Hikes

B. Service Charges and Additional Fees

C. Landlord Using Eviction Tactics

6. What Tenants Can Do If Faced with an Illegal Rent Increase

A. Negotiate with the Landlord

B. File a Complaint with RERA’s Rental Dispute Center

C. Get Legal Assistance

7. Impact of Dubai’s Rental Increase Rules on the Market

8. Future Trends in Dubai’s Rental Market

9. Access Dubai’s Real Estate Insights with GoDubai Portal

Conclusion

Introduction

Dubai’s real estate market has seen significant growth, attracting investors, tenants, and landlords alike. With rising demand for apartments for rent in Dubai, rental prices have become a key concern for residents. However, rental increases are strictly regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under Dubai’s rental laws.

Understanding how much your rent can increase ensures that tenants are protected from unfair hikes, while landlords can legally adjust rent based on market trends. This guide covers Dubai’s rental increase rules, how they are calculated, and what to do if you face an unlawful rent hike.

1. How Are Rental Increases in Dubai Regulated?

In Dubai, rental increases are governed by RERA’s Rental Index, an official tool used to control rent adjustments. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) updates this index annually, ensuring rental prices remain fair.

The RERA Rental Index is used to compare your current rent with market rates based on:

• Location (e.g., Dubai Marina apartments for sale and rent, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah, etc.)
  
  

• Property type (studio apartments for rent in Dubai, villas for sale in Dubai, or commercial properties in Dubai)
  
  

• Market demand and real estate trends
  
  

🔗 Check RERA Rental Index

2. Dubai’s Rental Increase Rules: Maximum Allowed Rent Hikes

According to Decree No. 43 of 2013, rent increases follow a structured percentage based on the current rent compared to the market average. Here’s how it works:

For example, if the average market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Downtown Dubai is AED 120,000 per year, but you are paying AED 100,000, your landlord cannot increase your rent because it is within the 10% threshold.

3. How to Check if Your Rent Can Be Increased?

Tenants can verify if their rent increase is legal using the RERA Rent Calculator, available on:

🔗 Dubai Land Department’s Rental Index

Simply enter your location, property type, and size, and it will display whether a rental increase is applicable.

4. Notice Period for Rent Increases

How Much Notice Should Landlords Give?

✔ Landlords must give a 90-day written notice before increasing rent.
✔ If no notice is given, rent remains the same for the next renewal.
✔ Notices must be sent via registered email, notary public, or RERA’s Ejari system.

What If a Landlord Fails to Give Notice?

If you do not receive a 90-day written notice, you can legally refuse the increase when renewing your tenancy contract.

5. Common Issues with Rental Increases in Dubai

A. Unlawful Rent Hikes

✔ Some landlords may demand higher-than-allowed increases.
✔ Always check the RERA Rental Index before agreeing.

B. Service Charges and Additional Fees

✔ Rent increases should not include extra charges for maintenance or amenities.
✔ Landlords cannot increase service fees without prior agreement.

C. Landlord Using Eviction Tactics

✔ Some landlords may try to evict tenants to charge a new tenant a higher rate.
✔ Landlords must provide a 12-month eviction notice via Notary Public for valid eviction reasons.

🔗 Eviction Laws in Dubai

6. What Tenants Can Do If Faced with an Illegal Rent Increase

A. Negotiate with the Landlord

✔ Show RERA guidelines to justify why the rent hike is invalid.
✔ Many landlords will reconsider when presented with legal proof.

B. File a Complaint with RERA’s Rental Dispute Center

✔ If the landlord insists on an illegal increase, file a complaint with RERA’s Rental Dispute Center (RDC).
✔ Submit supporting documents, including Ejari registration, tenancy contract, and rent receipts.

🔗 File a Rental Dispute

C. Get Legal Assistance

✔ Tenants can seek legal counsel or work with a real estate broker to handle disputes.
✔ Some real estate agencies specialize in rental negotiations and disputes.

🔗 Find a RERA-Certified Real Estate Broker

7. Impact of Dubai’s Rental Increase Rules on the Market

Dubai’s rental control measures stabilize the property market by:
✅ Preventing excessive rent hikes that make affordable apartments in Dubai inaccessible.
✅ Encouraging long-term residency, boosting Dubai’s real estate investment sector.
✅ Increasing demand for short-term rentals in Dubai in areas where long-term leases are expensive.

With demand for townhouses for sale in Dubai and off-plan properties in Dubai rising, many tenants are now considering buying properties instead of renting.

🔗 Renting vs. Buying in Dubai

8. Future Trends in Dubai’s Rental Market

• More regulation enforcement: Stricter rules to prevent sudden rent spikes.
  
  

• Rising demand for affordable housing: Increased investment in affordable apartments in Dubai.
  
  

• Shift to property ownership: More tenants looking at mortgage options in Dubai to invest in property.
  
  

🔗 Mortgage Options in Dubai

9. Access Dubai’s Real Estate Insights with GoDubai Portal

Looking for a verified database of apartments for rent in Dubai, villas for sale in Dubai, and commercial properties in Dubai?

✔ Get access to the latest off-plan projects in Dubai.
✔ Find RERA-certified real estate brokers for expert guidance.
✔ Stay updated with Dubai real estate market insights and rental regulations.

🔗 Subscribe to GoDubai Portal for expert real estate support.

Conclusion

Dubai’s rental increase laws ensure fair pricing and protect tenants from unlawful rent hikes. By using the RERA Rental Index, checking the allowed rent increase percentage, and knowing your legal rights, you can prevent excessive rental charges.

Would you like assistance with finding the best apartments for rent in Dubai or understanding Dubai’s rental increase laws?