Approximately 80% of Dubai's residents live in rented apartments, making the residential real estate market heavily dependent on this sector. Issues related to changes in monthly payments, responsibilities for maintaining rental properties, and the rights of tenants and landlords remain topical and provoke lively discussions.
Rental Legislation in Dubai
In Dubai, relationships between tenants and landlords are regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), which has developed a series of specialized laws. The primary one is Rental Law No. 26 of 2007. In 2008, Rental Law No. 33 was adopted, introducing several amendments to the original document.
Decree No. 26 of 2013 established the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (RDSC), which handles all disagreements between parties.
The most recent decree, No. 43 of 2013, regulates issues concerning rent increases in Dubai.
In 2017, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) introduced a unified tenancy contract form in both English and Arabic, standard for all types of real estate—residential, commercial, and industrial. It can be downloaded from the DLD website or through the Dubai REST application.
Who Has the Right to Rent Accommodation in Dubai
Long-term rentals (for more than one year) are available exclusively to individuals with the UAE resident status. Without an Emirates ID (resident card), it's impossible to open a bank account, which is necessary for signing a tenancy agreement. Bank accounts can be opened by individuals over 18 or 21 years old, depending on the bank's requirements. Therefore, to rent accommodation, you must have resident status. If you are in the process of obtaining it, you will need to provide supporting documents.
Occupancy Limits upon Move-In
When renting property, you should consider certain rules in effect in Dubai. No more than three people are allowed to live in a studio apartment, no more than five in a one-bedroom apartment, and a maximum of seven in a two-bedroom apartment.
Rights and Obligations of Landlords and Tenants
RERA has established special laws regulating the relationship between landlords and tenants. The main provisions are summarized as follows:
Landlord's Rights and Obligations
- Article 15: The landlord is obliged to hand over the property in proper condition and ensure its use in accordance with the contract.
- Article 16: The owner is responsible for carrying out all repair and maintenance work on the property.
- Article 17: The landlord is not entitled to make changes or carry out repairs that may negatively affect the tenant's use of the premises.
- Article 18: The owner must provide all necessary licenses and permits for conducting repair or construction work.
Tenant's Rights and Obligations
- Article 19: If the tenant wishes to carry out repairs, the landlord must provide the appropriate permission and necessary licenses.
- Article 20: The tenant is required to pay a refundable security deposit; if the landlord refuses to return it fully or partially, the tenant can appeal to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee.
- Article 21: Upon the end of the rental period, the tenant must return the property in the same condition, except for normal wear and tear; any disputes are referred to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee.
- Article 22: The tenant pays all taxes and fees related to the use of the property, including subleasing, unless otherwise specified in the contract.
- Article 23: Upon departure, the tenant is obliged to remove any alterations made to the premises.
