If your rental contract is up for renewal, you may be wondering whether your landlord will raise your rent. In Dubai, tenants are notified of any rent increases in advance, by the emirate’s rental laws. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) also regulates the amount by which rent can be increased.
How to check the amount of increase – Rera Rental Index
If you are curious about potential rent increases, you can utilize the Real Estate Regulatory Authority’s (Rera) online Rental Index. This tool is available for free and provides tenants with valuable information regarding the average rents for similar units in their area, as well as the allowable rent increase for such units.
To access this service, simply follow these steps:
- Visit the following link: https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/rental-index/rental-index/#/
- You will then be prompted to input either your Title Deed Number or details about the type of unit you are renting (residential, commercial, industrial, or staff accommodation).
- If you do not have your Title Deed Number, you can select the type of property you reside in.
- Next, choose the contract end date from the drop-down menu.
- Select the type of property – apartment or villa.
- Indicate the area in which you are living.
- Provide information about your residential unit, such as the number of rooms and your current annual rent.
- After completing the ‘Captcha’ verification, click on ‘calculate’.
By following these steps, you can easily determine the potential increase in your rent and gain a better understanding of the rental market in your area.
The calculator will provide you with the following information:
- The current rent increase guidelines in Dubai.
- The current rents in your locality for your specific unit type (one bedroom, studio, villa, etc.).
- The maximum allowable increase in rent is based on the rental increase guidelines.
Utilizing this calculator gives you access to valuable data regarding rent prices and regulations in Dubai, allowing you to make informed decisions regarding your rental property.
You must get a three-month notice
If you receive a notice from your landlord informing you of a rent increase, it must be sent to you at least 90 days before your contract is due for renewal. This requirement is outlined in Article 14 of ‘Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating Relations between the landlord and tenant in the Emirate of Dubai’, commonly known as the Dubai Rental Law.
According to Article 14, if there are any changes to the lease agreement, the landlord is obligated to notify the tenant at least 90 days before the contract expires, unless both parties have agreed to a different timeline. This provision ensures that tenants have sufficient time to consider the proposed changes and make informed decisions about their housing situation.
What if the rent increase is not within the permitted limit?
Suppose your rent has been increased significantly and exceeds the limit specified in the Rental Index. In that case, you can contact the Rental Dispute Centre at the Dubai Land Department by calling their toll-free number at 800 4488.