Renting an apartment in Dubai involves paperwork and follows a clear order. Once you know them, you are all clear on how to rent an apartment in Dubai.
Get your visa and Emirates ID ready. Set some money aside for deposit and agency fee, check the landlord, sign a paper tenancy contract and register it on Ejari.
Make sure not to miss any step as Ejari is needed to activate DEWA and other services.
This guide covers the documents needed to rent in Dubai, how the rent deposit Dubai works, and how to check in your tenancy contract before you hand over any cheques. The timing helps too.
Here is an Overview: How to Rent an Apartment in Dubai?
- Documents: Passport, UAE residence visa, Emirates ID and proof of income
- Deposit: Typically 5% of yearly rent for unfurnished, 10% for furnished (refundable)
- Agency Fee: Typically 5% of yearly rent + 5% VAT, paid by the tenant
- Contract: Government-approved format, signed by both sides and registered on Ejari
- Ejari Fee: AED 177.75 online or around AED 220 at a trustee centre
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Simple Steps to Rent an Apartment in Dubai
There are total 6 steps on how to rent an apartment in Dubai. Step a budget, shortlist, view, make an offer, sign the contract and register Ejari. This is the full route.
- Set Budget: Add up yearly rent, deposit, agency fee and DEWA costs as mentioned in the cost table below.
- Shortlist & View: Compare buildings and ask whether cooling is included in the rent or billed separately.
- Make Offer: Agree the rent, number of cheques, start date and deposit amount.
- Hand Over Documents & Sign: Check the contract first. See the contract section below.
- Ejari: Register Ejari and then connect DEWA.
- Arrange a Move-in Permit: Many towers and gated communities may ask you for a move-in permit so ask building management before you book movers.
New to Dubai?
If you are new to Dubai and don’t know details on renting an apartment, here is what you need to know:
- Long-term rentals need a residence visa. Many newcomers use short-term accommodation until the visa and Emirates ID arrive.
- Most landlords take cheques so you need to open a UAE bank account first and get a chequebook at your earliest.
Which Documents are Needed to Rent in Dubai?
You need your passport, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID and proof of income. These are the core documents needed to rent in Dubai.
| Document | Why You Need It? |
|---|---|
| Passport Copy | Identity. Provide copies for all occupants |
| UAE Residence Visa | Proof you can rent long term |
| Emirates ID | Needed for the contract and Ejari |
| Proof of Income | Payslips, salary certificate, employment letter or bank statements |
| Chequebook | For rent, deposit and fee payments |
| Employer NOC | If your company pays a housing allowance or signs the contract |
What Should the Landlord Show You?
The landlord must show you these things:
- The title deed and the owner’s passport or Emirates ID.
- A Power of Attorney if someone signs for an owner who lives abroad.
- Exceptions to the visa rule exist for holiday homes and hotel apartments only.
Want a longer checklist? See our guide, What Documents Are Required to Rent Out Property in Dubai?
How Much is the Rent Deposit in Dubai?
In most cases, 5% is the yearly rent deposit Dubai set by landlords for unfurnished apartments and 10% for furnished ones. The good news is that it is refundable in both cases at the end of lease subject to the condition of the unit.
- You pay it by cheque to the landlord.
- Make sure the deposit amount is written in the contract.
- Take dated photos at move-in and report if you see any existing damage in writing. This helps protect your deposit later.
- Ask in writing what condition the landlord expects at handover.
What Else Do You Need to Pay Before Moving In?
- Pay the agency fee, 5% of yearly rent. Get the amount confirmed before you pay and keep the receipt.
- Ejari registration fee, AED 177.75 online, AED 220 at a trustee centre.
- DEWA deposit fee of AED 2,000 which is refundable for an apartment.
- 5% of annual rent for tenants who are not UAE nationals.
A Sample Example: Upfront Costs on an Unfurnished Apartment
| Cost | JVC (AED 72,000 a Year) | Dubai Marina (AED 130,000 a Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Security Deposit (5%) | AED 3,600 | AED 6,500 |
| Agency Fee (5% + VAT) | AED 3,780 | AED 6,825 |
| Ejari (online) | AED 177.75 | AED 177.75 |
| DEWA Deposit (refundable) | AED 2,000 | AED 2,000 |
| Total, Excluding Rent Cheques | AED 9,557.75 | AED 15,502.75 |
The examples use Q3 2026 median asking rents from Property Finder. Furnished units need a 10% deposit instead. The municipality fee & DEWA connection charges are extra. Confirm final amounts before paying.
For running costs after you move in, read Cost of Living in Dubai: Housing, Utilities, and Daily Expenses (Complete Guide).
What to Check in a Tenancy Contract in Dubai?
In the tenancy contract Dubai, always check if it uses the government-approved format and each detail mentioned in it is exactly what you agreed. Both sides can download the template from the DLD website or the Dubai REST app.
Your Tenancy Contract Should State:
- Landlord and tenant names and details.
- Property details: unit number, building name and size.
- The exact rent, payment terms and contract duration.
- The security deposit amount.
- Maintenance responsibilities.
- The DEWA premises number, cooling fees and service charges.
- Renewal, termination and eviction terms.
Check These Before You Hand Over Cheques
- Ask for the landlord’s passport and title deed and write cheques to the owner name mentioned on the title deed.
- If an agency or property manager signs, ask for the management agreement and check their licence.
- A company licensed only for “Supervision Services” cannot accept rent on an owner’s behalf.
- Verify the agent’s registration on the Dubai Land Department website.
- Collect a receipt for the agency fee and for every cheque.
- Ask the landlord to confirm that old DEWA bills are paid.
- Read the early-termination and renewal clauses.
Rent increases at renewal follow separate rules.
Need Help with Your Tenancy Contract?
Apex Skyline reviews the tenancy contract with you before you sign.
How Do You Register Ejari?
Register through the Dubai REST app, the DLD website or a trustee centre. Registering Ejari online costs AED 177.75 and a trustee centre costs AED 220.
Here are the details:
- Documents: The signed unified tenancy contract, the tenant’s Emirates ID and the title deed. Renewals also need the previous Ejari and a recent DEWA bill.
- Who Does it: Registering is the landlord’s responsibility but in practice the tenant or agent completes it and pays. Agree this before you sign.
- Speed: Online registration is issued instantly once your details are approved and payment is made.
- Moving from Another Rental? The old Ejari should be cancelled first. It does not cancel by itself and an active one can delay your new registration.
- Next step: After Ejari, activate DEWA with the contract number, Emirates ID and passport and pay the refundable deposit.
Can You Pay Rent Monthly or in Fewer Cheques?
Most tenants pay by post-dated cheques, mostly 4 to 12, though high-demand areas may ask for just 1 or 2. Fewer cheques can help you negotiate a lower rent.
- Flexi Rent: launched by the Dubai Land Department in June 2026, it offers monthly, quarterly or semi-annual instalments through participating companies.
- It changes how you pay, not the total yearly rent. It does not apply to every property.
- Ask upfront whether a landlord charges extra for more instalments.
Can You Negotiate Rent in Dubai Right Now?
Yes, and you have more room than in recent years. The National reports rents have eased across all housing categories.
| Area | Q3 2025 Median Asking Rent | Q3 2026 Median Asking Rent | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Marina | AED 155,000 | AED 130,000 | -16.13% |
| Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) | AED 79,999 | AED 71,999 | -10% |
Want to compare areas? See Dubai Marina for waterfront living, or look at a JVC apartment for rent to see what lower entry rents get you.
Why Rent a Property through Apex Skyline?
Apex Skyline is a trusted real estate company in Dubai that shortlists verified apartments, negotiates with the landlord and handles the paperwork so you don’t have to work through how to rent an apartment in Dubai alone. Get:
- Verified listings across communities
- A shortlist built around your brief
- Viewings that are worth your time
- Landlord negotiation handled for you
- Ejari registration and contract review
- Support through move-in
- 10 year+ experience in Dubai real estate
- Partnerships with trusted real estate developers like Emaar and Nakheel
Explore our brokerage services in Dubai or call at +971 56 600 9308.
Wrap Up,
The process for how to rent an apartment in Dubai is the same for everyone, and it is easy to follow in order.
- Have your passport, residence visa, Emirates ID and proof of income ready.
- Budget for a 5% or 10% deposit, the agency fee, Ejari and the DEWA deposit.
- Verify the landlord and check every detail of the tenancy contract before paying.
- Register Ejari, activate DEWA and arrange your move-in permit.
- Use today’s softer market to negotiate rent and move-in terms.
Unsure of How to Rent an Apartment in Dubai?
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FAQs
1. Can expats rent an apartment in Dubai?
Yes. There is no restriction on expats renting. All you need is a valid passport, residence visa and Emirates ID. Contact Apex Skyline real estate brokers in Dubai for more details.
2. Can I rent an apartment in Dubai without a residence visa?
You can not rent it without a residence visa for a long-term lease, generally no. Holiday homes and hotel apartments are the exceptions.
3. How much is the deposit to rent an apartment in Dubai?
Rent deposit in Dubai for an apartment is 5% of yearly rent for unfurnished and 10% for furnished, both refundable.
4. Is the security deposit refundable?
Yes, the security deposit is refundable at the end of the lease, subject to the condition of the property.
5. Is Ejari mandatory?
Yes. it is mandatory. All tenancy contracts must be registered and Ejari is needed to activate DEWA.
7. How long is a standard lease?
Most residential leases run 12 months and renew yearly.
8. Are bills included in the rent?
Bills are mostly not included in the rent. DEWA and cooling charges are billed separately unless the listing says otherwise.
9. Do I need a UAE bank account to rent?
Yes, because most landlords take cheques. Some companies in the Flexi Rent scheme do accept card payments.
