United Arab Emirates
Last verified August 7, 2026
Written for U.S. passport holders
Rent Increases
- In Dubai, any rent increase on renewal is capped by the official RERA Rental Index calculator (under Decree No. 43 of 2013) — the maximum lawful increase depends on how far your current rent sits below the index average for comparable units, not a flat percentage a landlord can pick.
- A landlord must give at least 90 days' notice before the lease expiry if they intend to raise the rent or change other contract terms.
- Landlords are barred from charging any separate 'lease renewal fee,' and can't evict a tenant simply for refusing to pay one.
Eviction Protections
- For non-payment, the landlord must give notice via notary public or registered mail with at least 30 days to pay before pursuing eviction.
- For eviction to redevelop, substantially renovate, sell, or personally use the property, the landlord must give 12 months' written notice by notary public or registered mail — not a casual heads-up.
The Gotcha
Dubai's rent increase cap isn't a simple percentage — it's calculated against the official RERA Rental Index for your specific area and unit type, so 'how much can my rent legally go up' genuinely depends on how your current rent compares to the local index average. Run your address through the official RERA calculator before accepting a renewal increase at face value.
Sources
This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change — check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.
- Dubai Rental Increase Decree No. 43 of 2013 — Dubai Land Department
- Tenancy Guide — Dubai Land Department