Dubai · RERA rent rules
Find the maximum legal rent increase your landlord can charge on renewal — in dirhams, with the exact rule it comes from.
Your rent can rise from AED 80,000 to a maximum of AED 84,000 — up to AED 4,000 more per year.
Your current rent is 15.8% below the index average of AED 95,000 for this unit — which lands you in the 11–20% below market band.
Basis: Dubai Decree No. (43) of 2013 and the RERA / DLD rental index (indicative-2026-06). This is general guidance, not legal advice — confirm with the official DLD calculator before acting. Read the full rules →
Dubai does not let landlords raise rent freely. Under Decree No. (43) of 2013, the maximum increase at renewal is tied to how far your rent sits below the average market rent for a comparable unit, published in the RERA rental index. The further below market you are, the larger the increase a landlord may request — up to a hard ceiling of 20%.
| Your rent vs market average | Max legal increase |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% below market | 0% |
| 11–20% below market | 5% |
| 21–30% below market | 10% |
| 31–40% below market | 15% |
| More than 40% below market | 20% |
It depends on how far your current rent sits below the RERA rental-index average for a comparable unit. If you are within 10% of the average, no increase is allowed. Beyond that, the cap rises in steps to a maximum of 20% — set by Dubai Decree No. (43) of 2013.
No. Under Dubai's tenancy law a rent increase cannot be applied during the first lease period, and any change at renewal must be notified to the tenant in writing at least 90 days before the renewal date.
A proposed increase above the legal maximum is not enforceable. You can reject it and, if needed, file a case with the Rental Disputes Center (RDC). Keep your tenancy contract, Ejari and the index figures as evidence.
It is Dubai Land Department's official benchmark of average rents by area and property type. Since January 2025 it is published as the AI-driven Smart Rental Index, which also grades buildings by condition and quality. Your maximum legal increase is set by comparing your rent to this index average.
Take the index average for a comparable unit, work out how far below it your current rent sits, then apply the Decree 43 cap: 0% if you are within 10% of the average, then 5%, 10%, 15% and up to 20% the further below the average your rent is.
The legal formula (Decree 43 of 2013) is exact and matches the official rules. The market averages shown are indicative estimates — for the precise figure for your building, check the official DLD Smart Rental Index in the Dubai REST app and paste it into the calculator. The cap then uses your exact number.