Dubai · Ejari
What is Ejari?
Ejari is the system that makes your Dubai tenancy official. Here's what it is, why it exists, and why you can't rent properly without it.
Reviewed by the DubaiRentCap team · Last updated
The one-line answer
Ejari (Arabic for “my rent”) is the Dubai Land Department / RERA system that officially registers your tenancy contract. Registration turns a private agreement between you and your landlord into a record the government recognises — with a unique Ejari contract number.
Why it exists
Ejari was introduced to bring transparency to Dubai's rental market: every registered contract feeds the data behind the RERA rental index, and a registered contract is the only version the authorities will act on. It protects tenants and landlords alike by creating a single, verifiable source of truth for each tenancy.
What the Ejari certificate proves
- The parties — who the landlord and tenant are.
- The property and its premises (DEWA) number.
- The rent and the contract term.
- An official Ejari contract number used everywhere else.
Why you need it
Without a registered Ejari you cannot set up DEWA, sponsor a residence visa, or bring a case to the Rental Disputes Center. It also locks in your contract terms — useful if your landlord later proposes an increase above the legal cap.
Next steps
Ready to register? See how to register Ejari and the documents you'll need, or check the Ejari fees.
Common questions
Is Ejari mandatory in Dubai?
Yes. Registering your tenancy contract on Ejari is a legal requirement in Dubai. Without it you cannot connect DEWA, sponsor a residence visa, or file a case at the Rental Disputes Center.
What does Ejari mean?
Ejari is Arabic for “my rent”. It is the Dubai Land Department system that records tenancy contracts with RERA, giving each one an official registration number.
Who pays for Ejari?
By custom the tenant usually pays the Ejari registration fee, but it can be agreed otherwise in the contract. Either way the contract should be registered.