How Rent Increase Rules Work in the UAE
There's no single federal rent increase law in the UAE — each emirate regulates it separately, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi use fundamentally different systems. Both agree on the basics: rent can only rise once a year, only at renewal (never mid-contract), and only with proper advance written notice. Beyond that, the mechanics diverge sharply.
🏙️ Dubai: The Tiered RERA Index System
Under Decree No. 43 of 2013, Dubai compares your current rent to the RERA rental index — the average market rent for comparable properties (same area, bedroom count, and property type). The bigger the gap below market, the bigger the allowed increase:
| Current Rent vs. Market | Max Increase |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% below market | 0% |
| 11–20% below market | 5% |
| 21–30% below market | 10% |
| 31–40% below market | 15% |
| More than 40% below market | 20% |
You can check the official index yourself via the Dubai REST app or the DLD website. Landlords must give 90 days' written notice before the lease expires — miss this deadline, and no increase applies for that renewal.
🏛️ Abu Dhabi: A Flat 5% Cap (Currently Frozen at 0%)
Abu Dhabi doesn't use a market-comparison index at all. Under Resolution No. 14 of 2016, rent increases are simply capped at a flat 5% at renewal — it doesn't matter how far below market your rent might be, 5% is the hard ceiling. Notice period is 60 days.
Important 2026 update: Since June 2026, the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) has imposed a temporary rent freeze, setting renewals across residential, commercial, and industrial properties to a 0% increase "until further notice." This overrides the standard 5% cap for the duration of the freeze. Since no end date has been confirmed, always check ADREC's current guidance before assuming which rule applies to your specific renewal.
💡 Example Calculation (Dubai)
Scenario: Current rent AED 55,000/year, RERA index for comparable properties is AED 70,000/year.
1. Percentage below market: (70,000 − 55,000) ÷ 70,000 × 100 = 21.4%
2. This falls in the 21-30% bracket → maximum increase = 10%
3. Increase amount: AED 55,000 × 10% = AED 5,500
4. Maximum legal new rent: AED 55,000 + AED 5,500 = AED 60,500
Any landlord proposal above AED 60,500 exceeds the legal cap for this renewal.
⚠️ Important Notes
- This calculator provides estimates only and does not replace checking the official RERA index or current ADREC guidance for your specific renewal date.
- Dubai's index values are updated periodically and vary by exact building and area — always verify your specific comparable via the DLD/Dubai REST app.
- The Abu Dhabi freeze is explicitly temporary and could be lifted, extended, or modified — this calculator's "Current Freeze" option reflects the situation as of mid-2026 and should be re-verified.
- Other emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, UAQ, Fujairah) have their own separate rules not covered by this calculator — don't apply Dubai or Abu Dhabi rules elsewhere.
- For disputes, Dubai tenants can approach the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC); Abu Dhabi tenants can approach the Abu Dhabi Rental Dispute Settlement Committee.
- For official guidance, see the Dubai Land Department or Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).