With the growth of Dubai, knowing exactly what your rights are as a tenant is very useful, mostly when your rent might increase. Knowing the laws that RERA sets helps protect you both while signing a new agreement or while renewing an existing one.
Rent Regulation in Dubai
RERA is responsible for overseeing rental laws in Dubai under the Dubai Land Department (DLD). Law No. 26 of 2007 and Law No. 33 of 2008 (amended) ensure tenants’ rights by guiding when and how much landlords may change rent fees.
RERA’s goal is to keep the rental market even. Legal rent caps should be put in place and landlords should not be allowed to increase rent whenever they like.
How Often Can Rent Be Increased?
- The landlord can look at rent only once each year.
- The rate may rise only when the contract is renewed, not at any other point in the contract.
- Following the guidelines of the Smart Rental Index, RERA noted how much the rent could increase and within what brackets.
It provides security to tenants by making it harder for landlords to violate it with unfair charges.
Conditions for a Legal Rent Increase
RERA guidelines state how much rent can be increased based on the existing rent charged.
| Rent Difference from Market Average | Allowed Rent Increase |
|---|
| Less than 10% | 0% |
| 11% to 20% | 5% |
| 21% to 30% | 10% |
| 31% to 40% | 15% |
| More than 40% | 20% |
It clearly outlines the rights and limits for both parties.
RERA’s Smart Rental Index
The RERA Smart Rental Index is an application where you can check the price of rent in various parts of Dubai.
- It checks your rent against the usual rates of similar places.
- Changes are made annually so the forecast is correct for the current situation.
- Can be downloaded from the Dubai Land Department’s website or through the Dubai REST app.
This is your surest guide to ensure a proposed increase in rent is allowed under the laws of Dubai.
Notice Period for Rent Increase
Dubai’s rental law says:
- Rental agreements, including any rent rise, must have at least a 90-day notice sent from the landlord to the tenants in writing.
- In case there is no notice during this period, the increase cannot go forward and tenants have the right to reject it.
Either email, registered post or the Ejari platform can be used to provide the required notice to the landlord.
Tenant Rights You Should Know
Dubai tenants need to know about the following key rights:
- It is illegal to evict you just for not accepting a rent rise that breaks RERA.
- If your rent goes up in a way that is illegal, you can make a complaint to the RERA Rental Dispute Center.
- A rent increase cannot be made during someone’s tenancy unless it is already stated in the rental agreement.
