Housing Rights
Tenant protections, rent caps, eviction rules, and dispute resolution under UAE federal civil law and emirate-level tenancy regulations.
Tenancy Contracts & Registration
Every rental agreement in the UAE must be properly documented and registered:Written contract: All tenancy agreements must be in writing. Verbal agreements are difficult to enforce.Registration: In Du...
Rent Increases & Rent Cap
Landlords cannot raise your rent by any amount they choose. The UAE has rules that limit rent increases:Dubai RERA Index: Rent increases in Dubai are governed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RER...
Security Deposits & Return
Most UAE landlords require a security deposit at the start of a tenancy:Typical amount: Security deposits are usually 5% of annual rent for unfurnished properties and 10% for furnished properties. The...
Eviction Protections & Notice Requirements
Your landlord cannot simply throw you out. UAE law strictly limits when and how a landlord can evict a tenant:12-month notice: In Dubai, a landlord must give 12 months' written notice (via notary publ...
Maintenance & Habitability
Your landlord is responsible for keeping the property in a liveable condition:Structural repairs: The landlord must maintain the building structure, plumbing, electrical systems, and air conditioning...
Utility Connections & Disconnection Rights
Tenants have rights regarding utility services in their rented property:Connection rights: You need a registered tenancy contract (Ejari/Tawtheeq) to open a utility account in your name with DEWA, ADD...
Lease Renewal & Termination
UAE tenancy law favours lease continuity and gives tenants strong renewal rights:Automatic renewal: If neither party gives notice, the lease automatically renews on the same terms and conditions.Tenan...
Dispute Resolution (Rental Dispute Settlement Centre)
When landlords and tenants cannot agree, specialised dispute centres handle rental disagreements:Dubai RDSC: The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (part of Dubai Land Department) handles all rental dis...