Renewal time often arrives with a short message from a landlord or agent, a proposed new rent, and a deadline to reply. For many tenants in Dubai, the stress comes from not knowing what is normal, what must be in writing, and what can be checked before signing. This guide explains how renewal notices usually work, how rent changes are assessed, and the practical checks to make before you agree. Rules can change, so always confirm the current position with the Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, known as RERA.
What a Renewal Notice Should Cover
A clear renewal notice should identify the property, the tenancy it refers to, the proposed new term, and any change to the rent or other terms. Keep everything in writing, even if you also speak on the phone. A written notice you can save is far easier to refer back to than a verbal promise about repairs, payment dates or included services.
If something is missing or unclear, ask for it in writing before you sign. That includes who pays for maintenance, whether parking and facilities are included, and how payments should be scheduled.
Notice Periods to Know About
As a general guide, changes to a tenancy usually require notice of commonly around 90 days for amendments to terms, and around 12 months in certain situations where a landlord asks a tenant to leave at the end of a contract for a legally recognised reason, given in the required form. Treat these figures as approximate summaries, not legal advice, because the correct period depends on the reason given and how the notice is served.
Check three things: when the notice was actually received, what reason it gives, and whether it was served in the way current rules require, for example through channels recognised by the Dubai Land Department. If a notice arrives very close to your renewal date, or the reason is vague, get advice promptly.
- Save the notice and note the date and way you received it
- Check it against your current contract end date
- Ask for any missing reason or detail in writing
- Seek advice early if dates or service look wrong
How Rent Changes Are Checked
Dubai has a RERA rent calculator and a rental increase framework that links any permitted increase to how your current rent compares with the average for similar properties in your area. In broad terms, if your rent is already close to that average, a large increase may not be permitted, while a rent well below average may allow a higher percentage increase, within set bands. The bands and calculator are updated, so use the current RERA rent calculator on official Dubai Land Department channels before you agree to a figure.
Enter the area, property type, size and current rent carefully, as the indication depends on those details. Keep a copy of the result with the date, and share it politely with your landlord or agent if the proposed increase looks higher than the indication.
What to Check Before You Sign
Read the renewal contract line by line, not just the rent. Small changes to maintenance responsibilities, notice for access, penalties or payment terms can matter later. Compare the draft with your previous contract and query any difference you did not discuss.
- Names, property details and tenancy dates are correct
- Rent, payment schedule and any fees are stated clearly
- Maintenance duties are unchanged, or changes are agreed
- Parking, storage and facility access match what you use
- Any promised repairs are recorded in writing with dates
Once signed, register or renew the contract through Ejari as required and keep copies of the contract, Ejari certificate, payment receipts and correspondence in one folder.
If You Cannot Agree
If you and your landlord cannot agree on rent or terms, try a calm written exchange first, setting out the RERA indication and what you are proposing. Many renewals are settled this way. If that fails, official dispute channels exist through the Dubai Land Department, and you can ask them or a qualified legal adviser about the correct steps and any fees, which can change.
Avoid simply withholding rent or staying on without an agreement without advice, as that can create problems for your own case. Acting early, keeping records and using official sources will put you in the strongest position, whatever you decide.