Dubai · Tenancy contract
Tenancy contract: template & anatomy
What a Dubai tenancy contract looks like, clause by clause — plus where to get the real, official form.
Reviewed by the DubaiRentCap team · Last updated
Anatomy of the contract
A standard Dubai tenancy contract is organised into a few clear parts:
- Parties — landlord, tenant (and agent), with IDs.
- Property — address, type, and the Ejari / DEWA premises number.
- Financials — annual rent, number of cheques, security deposit.
- Term — start and end dates.
- Responsibilities — maintenance, DEWA, chiller/cooling.
- Renewal & exit — notice periods and any early-termination penalty.
Before-you-sign checklist
Run through this against any contract you're handed:
- Names match the IDs exactly.
- Rent, cheque count and deposit are written clearly.
- Maintenance and cooling responsibilities are spelled out.
- The early-exit notice and penalty are stated.
- It will be registered on Ejari.
Where to get the official version
Get the Unified Tenancy Contract through the Dubai REST app or the DLD, complete it, and register it on Ejari. For the clause-by-clause requirements, see what your contract must include.
Next steps
Estimate the upfront cost with the move-in cost calculator, and when renewal comes around, read the renewal rules.
Common questions
Where do I get the official Dubai tenancy contract?
The standard Unified Tenancy Contract is issued through the Dubai REST app / Dubai Land Department. Always use the official form and register it on Ejari — don't rely on unofficial templates as the binding document.
Is there a downloadable tenancy contract template?
The binding form is the official Unified Tenancy Contract from Dubai REST. Use the clause checklist below to review any contract before you sign, then get the official version.
Can I write my own tenancy contract?
It's far safer to use the standard Unified Tenancy Contract and register it on Ejari. A private contract that isn't registered is hard to enforce.