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The Dubai unified tenancy contract
DLD's Unified Tenancy Contract has been mandatory since March 2017. Law 33 of 2008 Art. 4 requires a written, RERA-registered lease stating the property, its use, the term, the rent, the payment method and the owner's name if the landlord isn't the owner. Extra terms go in a signed addendum and cannot override the law.
Sources checked 20 Oct 2026 · official sources first · Sources
“Read the addendum, not just the contract. That is where the cheques, the maintenance and the notice terms really sit.”
The Dubai unified tenancy contract
DLD's Unified Tenancy Contract has been mandatory since March 2017.
Step by step
- Download the Unified Tenancy Contract from the Ejari/DLD website (DLD encourages landlords to download and print it).
- Fill in the parties, property (plot and DEWA premises number), use, term, annual rent, security deposit and payment method.
- Put any extra terms (maintenance split, break clause, pets, renewal) in an addendum signed by both parties.
- Both parties sign, then register it in Ejari.
What it costs
| Item | AED | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ejari registration of the contract (online) | 177.75 | source |
Documents you need
- Landlord and tenant IDs
- Title deed or proof of ownership / POA
- Signed addendum, if any
How long it takes: Not applicable; the contract is drafted before Ejari registration.
The numbers behind Dubai renting: 480,371 residential Ejari leases started in Dubai between 1 Jan and 15 Oct 2026: 187,978 new market leases (39%) and 286,377 renewals (60%). Source: Dubai Land Department Ejari open data.
Where the sources disagree
- Whether an addendum can shorten the 90-day notice: Art. 14 says 'unless otherwise agreed', while practitioners (Mondaq) say the RDC may not enforce waivers of tenant protections.
We quote the official figure where there is one. Check the official page before you pay.
Thinking of buying? Sale prices for every Dubai tower: BUY DUBAI →
Questions
Is a verbal lease valid?
Law 26/2007 Art. 4 (as amended) says the relationship is governed by a written lease and that all leases must be registered with RERA.
Who handles maintenance?
By default the landlord (Law 26/2007 Arts. 16-17), unless the parties agree otherwise. DLD's 2017 release notes the duty can be shifted only by mutual agreement.
Can an addendum waive the 90-day notice for a rent change?
Secondary sources (Mondaq) say clauses that waive statutory tenant rights may not be enforced by the RDC. Art. 14 itself allows the 90 days 'unless otherwise agreed'.
Sources (checked 20 Oct 2026)
- DLD news: Unified lease form from March 2017 (official)
- Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, Dubai Legislation Portal (official, English translation)
- Dubai Law No. 33 of 2008 amending Law No. 26 of 2007, Dubai Legislation Portal (official)
- DLD eService: Register / Renew Ejari Contract (official)
- Mondaq: how to make a tenancy contract (secondary)
More guides: Register Ejari · Ejari online · Renew Ejari · Ejari certificate · DEWA move-in · Security deposit · Rent cheques · Eviction notice · Rental disputes
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Sale prices, resale and off-plan, tower facts and developer photos: BUY DUBAI, our sister site for buyers. Rents: Dubai Land Department Ejari leases.