In 2025, rental prices in Dubai continue to rise steadily. According to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), average rents in popular areas of the city have increased by 15–25% over the past year. Why is this happening? It’s simple: more people want to live in Dubai, especially expatriate professionals, while the number of new homes in central areas is limited.
But there’s no need to panic. Dubai authorities monitor the rental market closely. A landlord cannot simply raise the rent arbitrarily. There are clear rules, and any increase must comply with them.
How to Find Out How Much Your Rent Can Be Increased
Dubai has a great tool — the RERA Rental Index. It’s an online calculator that shows, for free, the maximum amount your apartment or villa rent can increase.
RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) oversees the real estate market, so its information is the most accurate.
With this service, you can learn:
- The average rent for similar apartments or villas in your area;
- The maximum percentage your landlord can legally raise the rent;
- Current asking prices for different types of properties;
- Recommendations based on the Rental Increase Calculator, an official RERA table updated quarterly.
Using the calculator is easy. Visit the DLD website, enter your area, property type (apartment or villa), number of rooms, and your current rent. The calculator will immediately show whether your landlord can raise the rent and, if so, by how much.
For example:
- If your current rent is 11–20% below market value, the landlord can increase it by a maximum of 5%.
- If it’s 21–30% below market value, the increase can be up to 10%, and so on.
The RERA calculator is not just a guideline — it’s a legal tool protecting tenants from unjustified increases.
Important Rule: 90-Day Notice
By law, if a landlord wants to change the terms of a contract, such as increasing rent, they must notify the tenant at least 90 days before the contract ends.
If they fail to do so, they cannot demand a higher rent in the new contract. This rule protects tenants, giving them time to decide whether to renew the contract, find a new place, or negotiate with the landlord.
In practice, notifications are usually sent via email or messaging apps, but legally valid notices must be documented, e.g., through a notary or official letter.
What to Do if Your Landlord Charges Too Much
If you believe the landlord is asking for more than the RERA calculator allows, contact the Rental Dispute Center at the Dubai Land Department. Hotline: 800 4488.
The center handles disputes between tenants and landlords, verifies the legality of rent increases, and issues decisions. If the landlord violates RERA rules, the increase is canceled, and in some cases, tenants are refunded overpaid amounts.
You can file a complaint online or in person. Include a copy of your lease, the notice of rent increase, and a screenshot from the RERA calculator — this speeds up the review process.
Where Rents Are Increasing the Fastest
Rent prices rise most in Dubai’s most popular areas: Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Business Bay, and Palm Jumeirah. These areas attract expatriates and investors.
If you want to save, consider neighborhoods like Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Qusais, and International City. Rents there are rising too, but more moderately — about 10–12%. Experts predict that rents will continue to rise over the next few years, but modestly, around 5–8% annually, especially for high-quality business-class properties.
An interesting trend is the growing popularity of Mirdif and Al Furjan, where rents remain below average but infrastructure is developing, attracting tenants seeking a balance between price and comfort.
Tips for Tenants
The most important rule for anyone renting in Dubai: always check official DLD and RERA sources for rent increase information.
The law protects honest tenants, and any attempt to raise rent unfairly can be challenged. It’s useful to plan ahead for contract expiration, monitor market rates, and negotiate with your landlord. Many landlords are willing to cooperate if you are reliable and pay on time.
UAE, and Dubai in particular, bases legislation on balancing the interests of landlords and tenants. RERA ensures transaction transparency, and DLD monitors compliance. Knowing your rights allows tenants to avoid:
- Illegal rent increases;
- Unilateral contract changes;
- Eviction without legal grounds.
Tenants should keep all documents — contracts, receipts, correspondence, and notices. These help protect your interests in case of disputes.
Rising rents in Dubai are a natural result of the city’s rapid development into a global business and innovation hub. However, thanks to transparent rules from RERA and DLD, tenants can feel protected.
If you live in or plan to rent in Dubai, check any changes in rent using the official RERA calculator, monitor notifications, and don’t hesitate to contact government authorities if your rights are violated.
