Dubai Tenancy Renewal 2026 — Key Numbers

90 Days
Minimum notice required before contract expiry to change any terms
AED 220
Approximate Ejari renewal fee (online) — 2026
0–20%
RERA-permitted rent increase range (5 tiers based on market gap)
7 Days
Recommended deadline to register new Ejari after signing renewal contract
3 Channels
Dubai REST app / DLD website / Trustee Centre — all valid for Ejari
1 Year
Auto-renewal period if neither party gives 90-day notice

Complete Dubai Tenancy Renewal Checklist 2026 — Tick As You Go

Tap any item to mark it complete. Your progress is tracked below. Complete all phases for a fully legally compliant renewal.

Renewal Checklist Progress: 0 of 28 items completed
1
90–120 Days Before Expiry — Preparation Start: 4 months before expiry
✓
Tenant
Note your contract expiry date

Find the exact expiry date on your tenancy contract and Ejari certificate. Add calendar reminders for Day −120, −90, −30, and 0.

✓
Tenant
Check the RERA rent cap for your unit

Run the official RERA calculator on the Dubai REST app or at dubailand.gov.ae. Note the Smart Rental Index benchmark and your maximum permitted new rent.

✓
Landlord
Verify RERA-permitted increase before notifying

Run the RERA calculator and confirm the permitted increase percentage and maximum new rent before issuing any notice. Do not serve notice with an amount above the RERA cap.

✓
Landlord
Serve the 90-day written notice (if increasing rent or changing terms)

Send written notice by email (with read receipt) or registered mail at least 90 days before expiry. Include proposed new rent and effective date, citing Article 14 of Law No. 33 of 2008.

✓
Tenant
Confirm date of notice received

Screenshot / save all notice communications with timestamps. Check our Notice Period Calculator to verify the notice was given at least 90 days before expiry.

✓
Both
Decide: renew, negotiate, or not renew

Tenant: decide whether to renew at the proposed terms or negotiate. Landlord: decide whether to renew the tenancy or invoke a legal ground for non-renewal.

2
60–89 Days Before Expiry — Negotiation Start: 2–3 months before expiry
✓
Tenant
Respond to landlord's notice in writing

Accept the proposed rent, counter-propose within the RERA cap, or formally reject any above-cap increase. Keep all responses in writing with timestamps.

✓
Both
Agree on the new rent amount in writing

Confirm the agreed rent, payment terms (number of cheques, due dates), and any other changes by email or WhatsApp before any new contract is drafted.

✓
Both
Negotiate maintenance terms and addenda

If any maintenance responsibilities, parking allocation, or other clauses are to change, agree them now in writing before the contract is drafted.

✓
Landlord
Prepare new/renewed contract or addendum

Draft the new unified tenancy contract or an addendum to the existing contract with the agreed new rent, start date, end date, and any changed terms. Use the DLD-approved unified tenancy contract format.

3
30–59 Days Before Expiry — Signing & Documents Start: 1–2 months before expiry
✓
Both
Sign the new tenancy contract / addendum

Both landlord and tenant must physically or digitally sign the renewed contract. Ensure all pages are initialled and the contract is dated correctly.

✓
Tenant
Prepare and hand over new rent cheques

Issue the agreed number of post-dated cheques for the new contract term. Write the correct amounts, dates, and payee name as instructed by the landlord/agent.

✓
Tenant
Gather Ejari renewal documents — tenant side

Collect: valid Emirates ID (both sides), copy of UAE residence visa, copy of passport, signed new tenancy contract, and DEWA premise number / latest DEWA bill.

✓
Landlord
Gather Ejari renewal documents — landlord side

Collect: copy of title deed (or valid POA if acting on owner's behalf), copy of landlord's passport / Emirates ID, signed new tenancy contract, and previous Ejari registration number.

4
Within 7 Days of Signing — Ejari Renewal Complete immediately after signing
✓
Critical
Submit Ejari renewal — online or in-person

Renew Ejari via Dubai REST app, DLD website (ejari.ae), Dubai Now app, or at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. Upload signed contract + all documents.

✓
Critical
Pay the Ejari renewal fee

Online: pay ~AED 220 via Noqodi wallet or credit card. In-person at Trustee Centre: pay by cash or card (additional trustee service charge may apply — typically AED 50–100).

✓
Critical
Download and save the new Ejari certificate

Once DLD approves the renewal, download the e-Contract Registration Certificate from the Dubai REST app or via the email link. Save a copy in photos/cloud and print one copy.

✓
Tenant
Verify new Ejari shows correct dates and rent

Check the Ejari certificate shows the correct new start date, end date, annual rent amount, and property details. Report any errors to the DLD via Dubai REST immediately.

5
After Renewal — Post-Completion Actions Complete within 30 days of renewal
✓
Tenant
Update DEWA account with new tenancy details

Log in to DEWA via the DEWA app or dewa.gov.ae → My Account → Update tenancy details. Upload the new Ejari certificate. This prevents service interruption and ensures your bills are correctly linked.

✓
Tenant
Update UAE residence visa if required

If your residence visa renewal or new sponsorship application requires proof of address, the new Ejari certificate serves as the official document. Submit it to your employer or PRO as needed.

✓
Tenant
Update building management / facilities

Notify building management of the renewal — update your vehicle registration for parking access, pool/gym key card, and any community access systems that are linked to your tenancy period.

✓
Tenant
Update home/contents insurance

Notify your home insurance provider of the renewed contract dates and any changes in the property details or rent (relevant for replacement value calculations).

✓
Landlord
Confirm deposit return or rollover in writing

Confirm in writing whether the existing security deposit continues into the new term (most common) or if any adjustment is agreed. Keep this confirmation with your contract records.

✓
Both
File all documents securely

Store signed contract, new Ejari certificate, notice letters, and cheque details in one secure folder (physical and digital). You will need these documents at next renewal, for visa applications, and for any RDC filing.

✓
Both
Set reminders for next renewal cycle

Add calendar reminders for: new contract expiry date, Day −120 (start preparing), Day −90 (notice deadline for next cycle). This prevents missing the notice window next year.

✅ All 28 items completed? Your tenancy renewal is fully compliant under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, RERA regulations, and DLD Ejari requirements for 2026. Save a copy of your completed Ejari certificate — it is the most important single document from your renewal.

Ejari Renewal Step-by-Step — All 3 Methods 2026

Ejari renewal is mandatory after every tenancy contract renewal in Dubai — without it, the renewed contract has no legal standing, and services like DEWA updates and visa applications cannot proceed.

Method 1: Dubai REST App Fastest — Recommended
  1. Download Dubai REST from App Store or Google Play. Log in via UAE Pass.
  2. Tap Services → Registration and Renewal of Lease Application.
  3. Select the existing contract you wish to renew from your linked properties.
  4. Enter the new contract start date, end date, and annual rent.
  5. Upload a clear scan of the signed unified tenancy contract.
  6. Upload tenant's valid Emirates ID and any required supporting documents.
  7. Pay the Ejari renewal fee online (~AED 220) via Noqodi or credit card.
  8. DLD staff review and approve — typically within 1–3 business days.
  9. Download the e-Contract Registration Certificate from the app once approved.
Method 2: DLD Website / ejari.ae Desktop Option
  1. Go to ejari.ae or dubailand.gov.ae → eServices → Register/Renew Ejari Contract.
  2. Log in with your DLD account credentials or UAE Pass.
  3. Select "Registration and Renewal of Lease Application".
  4. Fill in the electronic form — ensure all details match the unified tenancy contract exactly.
  5. Upload required documents: signed contract, tenant Emirates ID, and title deed copy.
  6. Submit the application and pay the renewal fee online (Noqodi or credit card).
  7. DLD reviews electronically. Once approved, download the e-Contract Registration Certificate.
  8. Good for printing or saving a PDF of your Ejari certificate for official submissions.
Method 3: Trustee Centre (In-Person) Walk-In Option
  1. Visit any DLD Real Estate Services Trustee Centre (e.g., EGSH, Amer Centres, Tasheel Centres).
  2. Bring all original documents: signed tenancy contract, Emirates ID, title deed copy, and DEWA bill.
  3. Inform the staff you want to renew an Ejari contract.
  4. Staff enter details into the DLD Ejari system — verify accuracy before they submit.
  5. Pay the Ejari renewal fee plus the trustee service charge (cash or card).
  6. Receive a receipt and the e-Contract Registration Certificate (printed or emailed).
  7. No UAE Pass or DLD account required — ideal for tenants less comfortable with online processes.
  8. Processing is usually completed same day at the centre.

💡 Who can submit Ejari renewal: The tenant, landlord, real estate management company, or a registered Ejari system user (property owners registered in the DLD system) can all submit the renewal. If submitting on behalf of the owner, a Power of Attorney (POA) is required. Real estate management companies can renew directly through the Ejari system without going to a Trustee Centre.

Documents Required for Dubai Tenancy Renewal 2026

📋 Core Documents (Both Parties)
  • Signed new tenancy contract (unified DLD format)
  • Previous Ejari registration certificate
  • DEWA premise number (on your DEWA bill)
  • Property address with unit number and building name
👤 Tenant Documents
  • Valid Emirates ID (front and back)
  • Copy of UAE residence visa
  • Copy of passport (bio page)
  • UAE Pass login (for Dubai REST app method)
🏠 Landlord / Owner Documents
  • Copy of title deed (or owner registration number with DLD)
  • Copy of landlord's passport or Emirates ID
  • Power of Attorney (POA) if agent is submitting on owner's behalf
  • Management contract (if via property management company)
🏢 Commercial Properties (Additional)
  • Trade licence of the tenant company
  • Authorised signatory's Emirates ID
  • Company MOA (Memorandum of Association) if required by DLD
  • NOC from developer (for certain developments)
⚖️ Special Cases
  • RDC Execution Decision (if renewing under court order)
  • Guardianship documents (if minor is involved)
  • Succession documents (if landlord is deceased)
  • Embassy attestation (for non-resident foreign landlords in some cases)
💰 Fees Reference 2026
  • Ejari renewal online: ~AED 220
  • Trustee Centre service charge: ~AED 50–100 extra
  • Payment methods: Noqodi, credit/debit card, cash (in-person)
  • No additional RERA fee for standard residential renewal

What To Do If Your Landlord Proposes an Illegal Increase

1
Immediately

Run the Official RERA Calculator

Open the Dubai REST app → Services → Rental Index / Rent Increase Calculator. Enter your Ejari contract number. The result shows the exact legal maximum rent you can be charged. Screenshot and date-stamp the result.

2
Within 7 Days of Receiving Notice

Respond in Writing — Reject the Excess

Reply by email and WhatsApp: "As confirmed by the official RERA Rental Index Calculator, the maximum permitted rent for my unit is AED [X] per year. Any increase above this amount is not legally enforceable under RERA Decree No. 43 of 2013. I am happy to renew at the legally permitted rate of AED [X]." Attach the RERA calculator screenshot.

3
If Landlord Persists

Check Whether the 90-Day Notice Was Valid

Use our Notice Period Calculator to verify the landlord gave notice at least 90 days before expiry. If notice was late (fewer than 90 days), zero increase is permitted — not just a capped increase. Reference Article 14 of Law No. 33 of 2008 in your written reply.

4
If No Agreement Reached

File at the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC)

File online at rdc.gov.ae. The filing fee is 3.5% of annual rent (min AED 500, max AED 20,000). Upload: Ejari certificate, current contract, notice letter, the RERA calculator screenshot, and all correspondence. These cases are typically resolved within 30–60 days. Continue paying your current rent throughout.

5
Do Not

Do Not Sign a Contract With an Illegal Increase

Signing a new tenancy contract with a rent above the RERA cap creates a legal ambiguity — you may be deemed to have accepted the terms. Always resolve the rent amount before signing the renewed contract. If under pressure to sign immediately, write "signed under protest — RERA cap dispute pending" above your signature and file at the RDC the same day.

Dubai Tenancy Renewal FAQ 2026

Do I have to sign a completely new tenancy contract each year or can I use an addendum? +
Both options are valid in Dubai. You can either sign a completely new tenancy contract for the renewed term (most common) or sign an addendum to the existing contract confirming the new rental amount, new start and end dates, and any changed terms — while all other existing clauses remain in force. Either way, Ejari must be renewed with the updated document. The DLD accepts both a new unified tenancy contract and an addendum for Ejari renewal purposes, as long as the document is clear and in the DLD-approved format.
Can I renew Ejari without my landlord's signature? +
In practice, the Ejari renewal requires a signed tenancy contract — which requires both parties' signatures. However, if the landlord is based overseas or unavailable, they can sign electronically or provide a Power of Attorney (POA) for an agent to sign on their behalf. If the landlord refuses to cooperate with Ejari renewal without valid reason, this is a violation of DLD regulations and can be reported to RERA. In disputed renewal cases that reach the RDC, the court can also authorise Ejari renewal through an execution decision.
What happens if I don't renew Ejari after signing the new contract? +
An unregistered tenancy contract has no legal standing under Dubai law — it cannot be used as evidence at the RDC if a dispute arises, it cannot be used for visa renewal applications, DEWA will not update your account, and the contract effectively does not exist in the official DLD record. Always renew Ejari within 7 days of signing the renewed contract. The DLD may also levy a penalty for late Ejari registration in some cases.
My landlord is asking for an agency / admin fee for renewal. Do I have to pay it? +
In Dubai, there is no RERA regulation requiring tenants to pay a renewal agency fee. Renewal commissions and admin fees are a commercial arrangement between the landlord and their agent — they are not the tenant's obligation. If a landlord or agent demands a renewal fee from the tenant without it being contractually agreed, you can politely decline. Some agents try to charge 5% of new annual rent as a renewal fee — this is not legally obligatory unless your original tenancy contract explicitly requires the tenant to pay it. The only official fees are the Ejari renewal fee (~AED 220) which is typically paid by the tenant.
Can I renew for less than 12 months? +
Yes. The DLD allows Ejari tenancy contracts to be registered and renewed for periods shorter than one year — there is no minimum renewal period. Short-term renewals (6 months, 3 months) are valid provided the contract uses the unified DLD format and both parties agree. The Ejari renewal process is the same regardless of the contract duration. However, short-term renewals may affect the RERA rent cap calculation — always verify using the official calculator before agreeing to a short-term renewal at a different rent.
My DEWA is in my landlord's name. Do I need to update it after renewal? +
If DEWA is registered in the landlord's name, they are responsible for updating it. However, if your utility bill needs to reflect the new tenancy period for any administrative purpose (visa, bank statements, government services), ask your landlord to have DEWA updated. For tenants whose DEWA account is in their own name, log in to the DEWA app or website after Ejari renewal and update your tenancy details — upload the new Ejari certificate when prompted. This prevents any service interruption and ensures your account reflects the correct contract period.