Dubai · Ejari
Ejari and your tenancy contract
The contract is the deal; Ejari is what makes it official. Here's how the two connect — and why you need both.
Reviewed by the DubaiRentCap team · Last updated
Two things, one tenancy
Your tenancy contract is the agreement — the rent, term and terms you and your landlord sign up to. Ejari is the official registration of that agreement with RERA / the Dubai Land Department. One is the deal; the other is the government record of it.
Why registration matters
Registering on Ejari turns your private contract into something the authorities recognise. It's what lets you connect DEWA, sponsor a visa, and — crucially — bring a case to the Rental Disputes Center if things go wrong.
The risk of an unregistered contract
An unregistered tenancy is hard to enforce: no Ejari means no easy DEWA, no visa support, and a weaker hand in any dispute. If a landlord resists registering, that's a warning sign — insist on it.
Next steps
See how to register Ejari and the clauses your contract must include. Already registered? Learn to verify it's active.
Common questions
Is a tenancy contract valid without Ejari?
A signed contract is an agreement, but without Ejari registration you can't connect DEWA, sponsor a visa, or enforce it at the Rental Disputes Center. Always register it on Ejari.
What's the difference between the tenancy contract and Ejari?
The tenancy contract is the agreement between you and the landlord. Ejari is the government registration of that contract — it makes the agreement official and verifiable.
Who registers the contract on Ejari?
Either party can, but it's commonly the tenant (self-service in the Dubai REST app) or the landlord/agent. What matters is that the signed contract gets registered.