The Landlord’s Guide to Renting Out Property in Dubai in 2026

Letting a property well comes down to the right rent, the right tenant and clear paperwork. Rents have cooled from their peak and new supply is arriving, so a careful approach pays off.

01. Set the right rent

Price against current, similar listings in your building and community. An over-priced property sits empty, which costs more than a slightly lower rent.

02. Prepare the property

• Make sure the unit is clean, safe and in good repair.
• Decide between furnished and unfurnished, based on what tenants in your area want.
• Advertise with a valid Trakheesi permit.

03. Choose a tenant carefully

Ask for a passport, visa, Emirates ID and proof of income, and consider references. A reliable tenant is worth more than a slightly higher offer.

04. The contract and Ejari

Use a clear written tenancy contract and register it on Ejari. State the rent, the payment schedule, the deposit, who is responsible for maintenance, and the notice periods.

05. Know the rent increase rules

At renewal, the increase you can ask for depends on how far the current rent is below the Smart Rental Index. If the rent is within 10% of the index, no increase is allowed. Otherwise, the maximum is 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% depending on the gap. You must give at least 90 days’ written notice before the lease ends. Always check the official calculator close to renewal.

06. If you want the property back

To sell or live in the property yourself, you generally need to give the tenant 12 months' notice through a notary or by registered mail. Informal messages do not count. If you recover the property for your own use or a first-degree relative's, you generally cannot let it to someone else for at least two years (residential). Get advice before you act, because mistakes can invalidate the notice.

07. Running costs and management

• You remain responsible for major maintenance, and for service charges unless the contract says otherwise.
• Short-term holiday-home letting needs a separate permit.
• Property management can handle tenant search, contracts, maintenance and rent collection, according to the agreed scope.

Official sources: Dubai Land Department: tenancy guide and laws · Dubai Land Department: Smart Rent Index · Dubai Land Department: Ejari

Want a hands-off approach? Speak to our team about letting and management.