Understanding Rent Increase Limits in Dubai

Feb 20, 2026

77 min

Feb 20, 2026 00:31

How much can my landlord raise the rent in Dubai?

## Dubai's Rental Cap Regulations

In Dubai, rent increases are regulated to protect tenants from excessive hikes. The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the Dubai Land Department (DLD) enforces a rental cap based on Decree No. 43 of 2013. This decree sets limits on how much a landlord can raise rent, depending on how the current rent compares to the average market rate for similar properties.

## How the Rental Cap Works

The rental cap is structured in bands: - No increase if rent is up to 10% below the market average. - Up to 5% increase if rent is 11-20% below the average. - Up to 10% increase if rent is 21-30% below. - Up to 15% increase if rent is 31-40% below. - Up to 20% increase if rent is more than 40% below the average.

These limits ensure landlords cannot exceed the specified percentages.

## Notice Requirement for Rent Increases

Landlords must provide tenants with a 90-day notice before the lease expires if they intend to increase the rent. This requirement is part of Article 14 of No. 26 of 2007, allowing tenants time to consider their options.

## Using the Smart Rental Index

The Dubai Smart Residential Rent Index is a tool provided by the DLD to help determine fair rental values. It uses data on property quality, location, and available services to calculate permissible rent increases. Tenants can use this tool to verify if their rent is in line with market trends and to understand the maximum legal increase allowed.

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