Updated November 2026. Quick answer: To renew a tenancy contract in Dubai, agree the new terms with your landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends, sign a new unified tenancy contract (or a renewal), then register the renewal in Ejari. You can do the whole thing yourself in the Dubai REST app without an agent, and the Ejari fee is usually around AED 170 to 220. Any rent increase must follow the DLD rental index, and if neither side gives notice, the contract renews automatically on the same terms.
Tenancy contract renewal in Dubai: the timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 months before the end date | Check the Smart Rental Index for your unit and compare current listings in your area. |
| At least 90 days before | The landlord must give written notice if they want to change the rent or any other term. Tell the landlord if you plan to leave or want new terms. |
| 30 to 60 days before | Agree the rent, the payment plan (number of cheques or monthly) and any other changes. Sign the renewal. |
| Before or on the start date | Register the renewed contract in Ejari and hand over the new cheques or set up the payments. |
What happens if nobody gives notice?
Under Dubai’s tenancy law (Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended), if the contract ends and you stay in the property without the landlord objecting, the contract is treated as renewed for the same period, or one year if that is shorter, on the same terms. That includes the rent. If the landlord did not send notice of a rent increase at least 90 days before the end date, they cannot raise the rent at this renewal.
You still need to register the renewed period in Ejari, because DEWA, family visas and the Rental Disputes Center rely on a valid registration.
How much can the rent go up at renewal?
It depends on how far your rent is below the average for similar homes in the DLD Smart Rental Index:
| Your rent is below the index average by | Maximum increase |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% | 0% |
| 11% to 20% | 5% |
| 21% to 30% | 10% |
| 31% to 40% | 15% |
| More than 40% | 20% |
Check your own number with our rent increase calculator, and read the full Dubai rental index 2026 guide. In 2026 asking rents for new tenants fell in many areas, so you may be able to renew at the same rent or less: see our rent renegotiation guide.
How to renew a tenancy contract in Dubai without an agent
- Agree the terms in writing. An email or WhatsApp message from the landlord confirming the new rent, the start date and the payment plan is enough to start.
- Sign the renewal. Use the DLD unified tenancy contract with the new dates and rent. Add an addendum for any extra terms, such as maintenance or pets.
- Open the Dubai REST app and log in with UAE PASS.
- Choose the Ejari service to register the renewed contract, enter the details and upload the documents.
- The landlord approves in their own account if you started the request.
- Pay the fee in the app and download the new Ejari certificate. Many requests are approved the same day.
Prefer help? A Real Estate Services Trustee Centre will register the renewal for you for a slightly higher fee. Some agents and management companies also charge a renewal fee; ask before you agree to it, because it is not a government fee.
Documents you need
- The signed renewed tenancy contract and any addendum.
- Your Emirates ID (or passport and visa).
- The landlord’s Emirates ID or passport, or trade licence if the landlord is a company.
- Title deed details of the property.
- Your DEWA premises number.
- A power of attorney if someone signs for the landlord.
For the full registration process, see our Ejari registration guide.
Costs of renewing
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Ejari registration (Dubai REST app) | About AED 170 to 220 in total; the app shows the exact amount |
| Trustee centre (if you do not use the app) | Ejari fee plus a service fee and VAT |
| Security deposit | Usually carried over from the current contract; top-ups only if agreed |
| Agent renewal fee | Not a legal requirement; negotiable |
Can the landlord refuse to renew?
Only for specific reasons, such as selling the property, moving in themselves or a close relative, or demolition or major renovation. For these, the landlord must give you 12 months’ notice by notary public or registered mail. A landlord cannot end the tenancy just because you refused a rent increase above the index. Read our eviction notice guide for details.
Renew or move?
Before you sign, compare what similar homes rent for today. Asking rents fell in areas such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Business Bay in 2026, while renewal rents kept rising. Browse homes for rent in Dubai, for example apartments for rent in JLT, and read Dubai rents are falling in 2026: renew or move?
Renewing in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah
The steps above are for Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, renewed contracts are registered in Tawtheeq, and rent increases on renewal have been frozen at 0% since 2 June 2026. Sharjah has its own registration system and rules. Check the local authority for those emirates.
Frequently asked questions
How do I renew my tenancy contract online in Dubai?
Agree the new terms with your landlord, sign the renewed contract, then register it in the Ejari service of the Dubai REST app. The landlord approves the request and you pay the fee in the app.
Can I renew my tenancy contract without an agent?
Yes. Tenants and landlords can renew directly and register the renewal themselves in the Dubai REST app.
How much does tenancy contract renewal cost in Dubai?
The Ejari registration is usually about AED 170 to 220. Any agent renewal fee is extra and negotiable.
Is the tenancy contract renewed automatically in Dubai?
If the contract ends and you stay without the landlord objecting, it is treated as renewed on the same terms for the same period, or one year if shorter. You still need to register it in Ejari.
How much notice does a landlord need to give to change the rent?
At least 90 days’ written notice before the contract ends.
Do I need a new Ejari when I renew?
Yes. Each contract period is registered separately, so the renewal needs its own Ejari.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures can change, so check the Dubai REST app or the Dubai Land Department for your case. Last checked: 9 November 2026.