Guides · UAE · Dubai
How much can rent go up in Dubai?
By Ahmed Elrayes · Updated
In Dubai a landlord may increase rent on renewal only if the current rent is more than 10% below the average for similar units in the DLD Smart Rental Index, and only by the slab in Decree 43/2013: 5% if the rent is 11–20% below the average, 10% at 21–30%, 15% at 31–40%, 20% if more than 40% below. The landlord must notify the tenant at least 90 days before expiry.
What are the slabs?
Decree 43/2013 fixes the maximum increase by how far the current rent sits below the index average for similar units: up to 10% below — no increase; 11–20% below — up to 5%; 21–30% — up to 10%; 31–40% — up to 15%; more than 40% below — up to 20%. The reference is the DLD Smart Rental Index (building-rated since 2025); the commercial index is less transparent and our rules engine marks commercial calculations for review.
What notice is required?
Law 33/2008 Article 14 requires either party to give at least 90 days' written notice before the contract ends to change any term, including rent. No notice, no increase — the contract renews on the same terms. Non-renewal also needs 90 days' notice, and eviction on expiry has its own 12-month rule (see the eviction guide).
What if the tenant disagrees?
Either side can file at the Rental Dispute Centre; the filing fee is 3.5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 500 and maximum AED 20,000. The RDC applies the index and the decree. Many disputes are settled with the official rental calculator printout attached to the renewal notice.
How Leasifys applies this
When you offer a renewal, Leasifys shows the city rule beside the new rent as you type: the notice deadline from the lease end, the slab warning for Dubai, Abu Dhabi's current freeze, or Sharjah's first-years rule. Warnings never block — the decision is yours — and unverified rules are labelled.
Information from the laws and official portals as at the date shown, not legal advice. Check figures on the official channel before acting.