Tenants in Dubai cannot be subjected to a rent increase at any point during an active lease contract, under emirate-wide regulations outlined by Senior Emirati Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Hassan Al Shaiba of Al Shaiba Advocates & Legal Consultants in a Gulf News legal column published February 21, 2026.
Under Decree No. 43 of 2013 and Law No. 33 of 2008 — an amendment to the emirate’s core landlord-tenant legislation — any increase is only permissible when a lease expires, and must not exceed 20 percent. For one-year contracts, landlords are limited to a single increase per contract period.
Permissible rates must also align with benchmarks set by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency and approved ranges from the Dubai Land Department, taking into account the condition of the property, rental values for comparable units in the same area, and the broader economic climate in the emirate.
Landlords are required to notify tenants of any intended increase at least 90 days before the lease expires. Where the two parties cannot agree on a new rate, the matter may be referred to a tribunal, which holds authority to determine fair rent.
