How to rent an apartment, villa or townhouse in Dubai — the costs, Ejari, deposits and cheques — and how landlords lease their property.
Renting in Dubai follows a clear, regulated process. Whether you are a tenant looking for a studio or a family villa, or a landlord leasing out your property, these are the steps and costs to plan for.
For tenants: how renting works
- Agree the rent and terms, usually for one year.
- Rent is typically paid in advance by cheque — one cheque or several across the year, depending on the landlord.
- Pay the security deposit, typically around 5% of annual rent for unfurnished and 10% for furnished homes.
- Pay the agency fee, typically a percentage of the annual rent.
- Sign the tenancy contract and register it on Ejari, which is required by law.
- Open your DEWA account (a refundable deposit applies) and, where relevant, register for district cooling.
Fees and deposits vary by property and change over time, so confirm the current amounts before you pay. A 5% housing fee is also added to monthly DEWA bills.
Choosing where to rent
For landlords: leasing your property
- Set a realistic rent based on comparable homes in the building or community.
- Prepare the property: maintenance, cleaning and, if offered furnished, a full inventory.
- Screen tenants and agree the number of cheques and the start date.
- Register the tenancy on Ejari and keep copies of all documents.
- Plan for renewals: rent changes are governed by the RERA rental index rules.
Commercial leasing
Offices, retail units and whole buildings are leased on longer terms, often with fit-out periods and different deposit arrangements. The same Ejari registration applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ejari is the Dubai Land Department's system for registering tenancy contracts. Every residential and commercial lease in Dubai must be registered on Ejari.
