Rent Increase Disputes in Dubai
A rent increase in Dubai is not open-ended. The landlord must give written notice at least 90 days before the contract ends, and any increase is bound by the official rental index under Decree No. 43 of 2013. When those conditions are not met, the increase can be challenged. This page explains your position and how a dispute is raised.
Check a rent increase notice
When is a rent increase in Dubai lawful?
A lawful increase rests on two things: proper notice, and a percentage tied to the official rental index. If either is missing, you have grounds to challenge it. These are the three points your position rests on.
The landlord must give 90 days’ written notice
To change any term of the tenancy, including the rent, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing at least 90 days before the contract expires, unless both parties agree otherwise. Without this notice the contract renews on the same terms, and the landlord loses the right to increase for that renewal. (Law No. 33 of 2008 amending Law No. 26 of 2007)
The permitted increase is set by the rental index
Under Decree No. 43 of 2013, the maximum increase depends on how far your current rent sits below the average market rate for a comparable unit — the further below, the higher the permitted increase, up to a capped ceiling. You do not calculate this yourself: you check the official Smart Rental Index on the Dubai Land Department portal for your specific property.
An unlawful increase can be disputed
If the landlord raises the rent without proper notice, beyond what the index permits, or as pressure to make you leave, the increase is not enforceable as demanded. The matter is raised as a dispute before the Rental Disputes Center.
Common mistakes that weaken your position on a rent increase
How you respond to an increase notice shapes what happens next. These are the most frequent mistakes tenants make.
Ignoring the 90-day notice requirement
A rent increase demanded without written notice 90 days before the contract ends does not bind you for that renewal. Paying it without checking the notice date can mean paying more than the law requires.
Agreeing verbally under pressure
A verbal agreement to a higher rent, given under pressure near renewal, is hard to walk back. Keep every demand and response in writing before you commit to anything.
Assuming any percentage the landlord names is valid
The landlord’s desired figure is not the legal figure. The permitted increase is set by the official rental index, not by what the landlord asks for.
Missing the window to object
Leaving an unlawful increase unchallenged, or letting the renewal pass without a written objection, weakens your position. Act while the notice period and renewal date still give you room.
Confusing the market rate with the index
What similar units advertise for is not the same as the official index figure that governs your permitted increase. The index is the reference that matters in a dispute.
How we help with a rent increase dispute
Four clear steps, and you know where you stand in each one.
Review the notice and the contract
We check the increase notice, its date against the 90-day requirement, your tenancy contract and Ejari, and what the official index permits for your unit — to see whether the increase is lawful.
Prepare a written objection
Where the increase is not compliant, we prepare a documented written objection to the landlord, setting out the notice and index position clearly.
Negotiate the position
We work toward a settlement on the correct figure where possible, keeping everything documented so your position is protected if the matter escalates.
Raise a dispute before the Center
If the landlord insists on an unlawful increase, the matter is raised as a dispute before the Rental Disputes Center. Representation before judicial bodies is handled through accredited law firms.
Required documents
The more complete these documents are from the start, the faster we can assess whether the increase is lawful.
- The rent increase notice you received
- The current tenancy contract
- The Ejari certificate
- Proof of the current rent and payment record
- Any prior correspondence with the landlord about the increase
If one of the documents is missing, tell us before we start. We identify the acceptable alternative rather than letting the file stall halfway.
After a rent increase dispute
A rent increase rarely stands alone. It may come with a refusal to renew, a demand to vacate, or a wider disagreement over the tenancy terms. Each step builds on the one before it. Tell us your current situation so we can explain the stage you are at and the cost before you commit to any step.
Cost
The cost varies with the stage the dispute reaches and the state of the documents. What we commit to: a free assessment within 24 hours, and a clear final figure before you begin.
What the figure we give you covers
- Review of the notice, contract and index position
- Preparing the written objection
- Negotiating the correct figure where possible
- Raising and following the dispute before the Center where needed
- Legal translation where needed
Frequently asked questions
How much notice must a landlord give to increase rent in Dubai?
At least 90 days in writing before the tenancy contract expires, unless both parties agree otherwise. Without this notice the contract renews on the same terms and the landlord loses the right to increase for that renewal.
What is the maximum rent increase in Dubai?
There is no single fixed percentage. Under Decree No. 43 of 2013 the maximum is tied to how far your current rent is below the market average for a comparable unit, up to a capped ceiling. You check the official Smart Rental Index on the Dubai Land Department portal for your specific property.
How do I check the permitted rent increase for my property?
Use the official Smart Rental Index on the Dubai Land Department portal, which reflects the average rates for your area and unit type. We do not replace the index; we review your notice and index position and tell you whether the increase you received is lawful.
Can my landlord increase the rent after the first year?
Any increase, including at the first renewal, still requires 90 days’ written notice and must fall within what the index permits. The timing of the tenancy does not remove those two conditions.
Did the 2025 rental index change the increase percentages?
In 2025 the Smart Rental Index replaced the older calculator, but the increase brackets under Decree No. 43 of 2013 did not change. What changed is the tool used to read the market average, not the caps themselves.
Can a landlord force me to renew at a higher rent?
A landlord cannot impose an increase that exceeds what the index permits or that was not properly notified. If they insist, the increase is not enforceable as demanded and the matter is raised as a dispute before the Rental Disputes Center.
Where do I object to an unlawful rent increase?
Reviewing the notice, preparing the objection and negotiating are services we provide. If the dispute is not resolved, it is raised before the Rental Disputes Center, with representation through accredited law firms. We clarify your position before you pay anything.
About this page
- Author
- Firas Ahmad
- Legal review
- Dr. Mohammed Al-Ramlawi
- Last updated
- 7 August 2026
- Sources
- Decree No. 43 of 2013 on rent increases in the Emirate of Dubai
- Law No. 26 of 2007 and Law No. 33 of 2008 on landlord-tenant relations
- Dubai Land Department — Smart Rental Index — dubailand.gov.ae
- Rental Disputes Center Dubai — rdc.gov.ae
This website is independent and is not affiliated with the Rental Disputes Center, the Dubai Land Department, or any government body. The content is general information and does not constitute legal advice for a specific case; outcomes vary according to the facts and documents of each file.
Start with a free assessment of your case
Send us the rent increase notice you received via WhatsApp. We review the notice, the index position and your options, and explain the full cost before you commit to any step.