Guides · UAE · Abu Dhabi
What is Tawtheeq, and how is it different from Ejari?
By Ahmed Elrayes · Updated
Tawtheeq is Abu Dhabi's tenancy registration system run by the Department of Municipalities and Transport. Unlike Ejari, the landlord (or a licensed property manager) must hold a registered property account and the building must be listed before contracts can be registered. Rent increases are capped at 5% by law and at 0% since ADREC's June 2026 announcement; notices are 60 days for residential leases.
Who registers and what does it cost?
The owner registers the property once with Tawtheeq (title deed, ID, building details), then each contract is registered against it; licensed property managers register for their clients. The contract fee is small (about AED 50 per year plus any municipality fees) and the contract itself is generated by the system, which is why Tawtheeq contracts look alike.
Rent cap and notices
Law 20/2006 as amended sets a statutory 5% cap; ADREC announced on 2 June 2026 that increases are frozen at 0% for residential, commercial and industrial leases until further notice. Increase and non-renewal notices are 60 days for residential and 90 days for commercial leases. Contracts renew automatically on holdover unless notice was served.
Disputes and fees
Disputes go to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department; the fee is a percentage of the claim with published minimums and caps (sources conflict on the exact figures — our rules file marks this as partial). Appeals are possible above AED 50,000.
What changed in 2026
Law 2/2025 and Chairman's Resolutions AD 25/2025 and 26/2025 brought in accredited management companies and electronic systems for jointly owned property. Owner-association style management is now through ADREC-accredited companies; check the accreditation list before signing a management contract.
How Leasifys treats Abu Dhabi
Leasifys stores Abu Dhabi rules as a separate, dated row: Tawtheeq as the registry, the current 0% cap as a warning, 60/90-day notices, and ADJD as the forum. Where our verification is partial, the screen says so and automation stops.
Information from the laws and official portals as at the date shown, not legal advice. Check figures on the official channel before acting.