Dubai tenant guide
A rental decision is not complete when the rent is agreed; authority, contract, registration, condition, payments, and handover must align.
Dubai tenancy contracts are registered through Ejari. Before paying or moving, a prospective tenant should verify the property and parties, inspect the unit, understand every payment and obligation, and preserve a signed condition and inventory record.
Quick answer
Verify the landlord or authorised representative and broker, confirm the exact unit, read the full tenancy and addenda, use traceable payment to the verified recipient, complete Ejari through the current approved route, document condition and inventory, and understand maintenance, utilities, notices, renewal, and exit terms.
Reviewed: July 2026
Before paying
- Landlord ownership or representative authority
- Broker credentials and advertising permit where applicable
- Exact unit, parking, access, furniture, appliances, and readiness
- All rent, deposit, commission, utility, cooling, maintenance, and moving obligations
- Written refund and consequence if the unit cannot be handed over as agreed
Read contract and addenda together
Check dates, payment instruments, occupancy, subletting, pets, alterations, maintenance thresholds, access, insurance, renewal, notice, early exit, deposit return, and dispute language. Do not assume a side addendum is unimportant.
Use the current DLD rental index and official channels for relevant regulatory information, but obtain qualified advice for a dispute or unusual clause.
Register and document handover
- 1Complete Ejari through the approved process and retain the certificate.
- 2Record meters, keys, cards, parking, inventory, and dated condition photographs.
- 3Report initial defects in writing promptly.
- 4Keep the contract, Ejari, receipts, notices, and maintenance correspondence together.
Frequently asked questions
Should money go to a personal account?
Verify who is legally entitled to receive each payment and use traceable, documented instructions. Pause if identity or authority is unclear.
Is Ejari the tenancy contract itself?
Ejari is the official registration framework for the tenancy; retain both the signed contract and registration evidence.
Can Simsar Dubai receive a rental request?
Yes. State the area, unit type, household, move date, and important conditions for relevant licensed follow-up.
Official sources and references
Procedures and fees can change. Confirm the latest position with the official source before a transaction.