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Dubai rent increase calculator
See the most your landlord can add at renewal under the RERA rent increase rules. You need your current annual rent and the average rent the Dubai Rental Index gives for similar units.
The RERA rent increase bands
Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013 links any rent increase at renewal to how far your current rent is below the average rent for similar units:
Since January 2025 the average comes from the Smart Rental Index, which rates each building on its location, age, quality and amenities. The bands themselves did not change.
Notice rules
The landlord must give written notice of any change to the rent at least 90 days before the contract ends. Without that notice, the tenant can renew on the same terms.
Worked examples
Rent AED 85,000, index average AED 100,000
Rent AED 60,000, index average AED 100,000
Rent AED 95,000, index average AED 100,000
Special cases
- The notice period is 90 days before the contract ends, in writing. Without it, the rent stays the same for the renewal.
- Furnished and serviced units are compared with similar units, so make sure the index result uses the right property type.
- Eviction to sell or move in is a separate rule: the landlord needs 12 months' notice sent by notary public or registered post.
- Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates have their own rules. These bands are for Dubai only.
Common mistakes
- Comparing with listing prices online. Only the RERA Rental Index average counts.
- Checking the index too early. Use the index result close to your renewal date, as it is updated.
- Signing first and arguing later. Once you sign a renewal at a higher rent, it is hard to challenge.
Official sources
- Dubai Land Department: Rental Index the official average rent for your unit, also in the Dubai REST app
- Rental Disputes Settlement Centre for disputes about rent increases
Questions people ask
Where do I find the average rent for my unit?
Use the RERA Rental Index calculator in the Dubai REST app or on the Dubai Land Department website. Enter your building and unit details, and it shows the average annual rent.
Can my landlord increase the rent if I pay above the average?
No. If your rent is at, above, or no more than 10% below the average, no increase is allowed at renewal.
What if the landlord asks for more than the cap?
You can refer the case to the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre in Dubai.
Does this apply outside Dubai?
No. These bands are Dubai rules. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates have their own rent laws.
An estimate based on Decree 43 of 2013 and the Smart Rental Index. The official figure is the one shown by the RERA calculator for your unit. Rules checked October 2026.