Renting Property

Renewing or Ending Your Lease

Rules for renewal, notice and rent increases.

Updated: September 2026 5 min read

To renew a tenancy contract in Dubai, agree any new terms before expiry, then renew the Ejari registration. A landlord who wants to change the rent or terms must give 90 days' notice before the lease ends, unless you agreed otherwise, and any increase must fall within the DLD rental index limits.

The 90-day notice rule

Either party can propose new terms or a rent change at renewal (Article 13 of Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended). Under Article 14, the party who wants the change must notify the other at least 90 days before the lease expires, unless the contract says otherwise. Without that notice, the existing terms carry on.

How much the rent can go up

Decree No. 43 of 2013 caps any increase at renewal by comparing your rent with the average in the Rent Index approved by RERA. If your rent is within 10% of the average, no increase is allowed; the cap rises in steps to 20% when your rent is more than 40% below it. See Rent Increase Rules for the full brackets and how to check your building.

If nobody does anything

Under Article 6, if you stay on after expiry and the landlord doesn't object, the lease renews on the same terms for the same term or one year, whichever is shorter. You still need to renew the Ejari registration so the contract stays on record.

Renewing Ejari

Renewal uses the same DLD service as a new registration: Dubai REST app, DLD website or a trustee centre.
Fees are the same: AED 177.75 online or about AED 220 at a trustee centre.
DEWA receives the renewed rent from Ejari and updates your housing fee automatically.

If you want to leave instead

Tell the landlord in writing before the lease ends. Many contracts set a notice period for not renewing, often 90 days; check yours. When you move out, request DEWA deactivation: your security deposit is set against the final bill. The landlord must return your rental deposit at the end of the lease under Article 20, less agreed deductions.

Renewal checklist

Put a reminder four months before expiry.
Check the rental index for your building before accepting any increase.
Get the new rent and terms in writing, signed by both sides.
Renew the Ejari registration and keep the new certificate.
If leaving, send written notice and book the DEWA move-out.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my landlord doesn't give 90 days' notice before renewal?

The existing terms carry on. Under Article 14 of Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended, the party who wants to change the rent or terms must notify the other at least 90 days before the lease expires, unless the contract says otherwise.

Does a Dubai lease renew automatically?

It can. If you stay on after expiry and the landlord doesn't object, the lease renews on the same terms for the same term or one year, whichever is shorter. You still need to renew the Ejari registration so the contract stays on record.

How do I renew Ejari?

Through the same DLD service as a new registration: the Dubai REST app, the DLD website or a trustee centre. The fees are the same, AED 177.75 online or about AED 220 at a trustee centre, and DEWA updates your housing fee from the renewed rent.

How much notice do I give if I don't want to renew my lease?

Check your contract. Tell the landlord in writing before the lease ends; many contracts set a notice period for not renewing, often 90 days. When you move out, request DEWA deactivation, since your DEWA deposit is set against the final bill.

Sources

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