Guide Letting in Dubai
Renting out your property in Dubai
From setting the rent to taking the home back: the rules every Dubai landlord works within, what a tenancy costs you, and when a holiday home makes more sense.
Updated · 7 min read
Six steps to a let
How a yearly tenancy runs, start to finish.
- 01
Choose the model
A yearly tenancy for steady income with little effort, or a licensed holiday home for higher, less predictable income and more work.
- 02
Set the rent
Price against recent leases for similar units in the building. On renewal, the RERA rental index decides how much the rent can rise.
- 03
Find a tenant
Through an agent, or yourself. On a yearly let the tenant usually pays the agency fee, commonly 5% of the annual rent.
- 04
Sign and register
Use the standard tenancy contract, take the security deposit and rent cheques, and register the contract on Ejari.
- 05
Manage the tenancy
The landlord usually handles major maintenance unless the contract says otherwise. Changes to terms need 90 days' notice before renewal.
- 06
End it properly
Taking the home back for a sale or your own use needs 12 months' written notice, served through a notary public or registered post.
Yearly let or holiday home?
| Compare | Yearly let | Holiday home |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Fixed rent, often paid in 1 to 4 cheques | Nightly rates that rise and fall with the season |
| Effort | Low once the tenant is in | High: cleaning, guests and reviews, or a manager's fee |
| Licence | Ejari registration of each tenancy | Holiday-home permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism |
| Furnishing | Usually unfurnished | Fully furnished and kept to the licensing standard |
| Utilities | Tenant usually pays DEWA | You pay DEWA, internet and cooling |
What a landlord pays
| Cost | Typical amount | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Service charges | Per sq ft, yearly | Always the owner's cost. See the service charges guide for typical rates. |
| Maintenance | Varies | Major repairs fall to the landlord unless the contract says otherwise; set some rent aside. |
| Property management | Often around 5–8% of rent | Optional for yearly lets. Holiday-home operators usually charge a larger share of income. |
| Holiday-home permit | Set by DET | Registration and annual fees for the permit, plus the building or developer's consent. |
| Tax on rent | None for individuals | Individuals letting property in their own name pay no UAE tax on the rent. Companies may fall under corporate tax. |
Buying to let? See what the building will cost you each year in service charges explained, and the one-off fees in the real cost of buying.
General guidance as of October 2026, not legal or tax advice. Tenancy and holiday-home rules change, so confirm the current requirements with RERA and the Department of Economy and Tourism before you let.