# Tenancy contract in Dubai (2026): the unified Ejari lease, key clauses, and your rights

> What a Dubai tenancy contract is, what it must contain, the AED 177.75 Ejari fee, how to register it, and your renewal and deposit rights.

Source: https://withlida.com/insights/tenancy-contract-dubai

---

:::intro
A Dubai tenancy contract sets the lease terms; Ejari is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration record. Ordinary whole-home leases and designated shared housing follow different routes. Dubai Municipality's 7 October 2026 release dates the shared-housing law's effect to 8 September 2026, with one year to regularise existing buildings, subject to safety limits ([official release](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/october/07-10/dubai-municipality-issues-planning-and-building-requirements-guide), checked 24 October 2026).
:::

| Arrangement | Cited authority | Contract or record | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary tenancy | RERA, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, and DLD under Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended | Ordinary lease and Ejari e-Contract Registration Certificate | Whole-home tenancy outside the designated shared-housing regime; ordinary requirements explained below |
| Designated shared housing | Dubai Municipality for permits; DLD for the electronic shared-housing registry under Law No. 4 of 2026 | Property permit, relevant lease/management contracts and linked DLD registry records | Authorised shared-housing use, including in private development zones and free zones |
| Collective labour accommodation | Separate labour-housing framework: MoHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and relevant government licensing authorities | Labour Accommodation System record and applicable accommodation licensing | Expressly excluded from the shared-housing law; its own labour-accommodation requirements apply |

Source: withlida.com, 24 October 2026, using [amended Article 4](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.pdf), [DLD's Ejari service](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), the [11 March shared-housing announcement](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management) and the [UAE Government labour-accommodation guidance](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/Sector-of-employment/employment-in-the-private-sector/labour-accommodation), checked 24 October 2026. The labour guidance identifies a separate system; it does not bring collective labour accommodation within Law No. 4 of 2026.

**Last verified: 24 October 2026.**

:::summary
- For a household leasing an ordinary whole home, the contract records the agreed terms and Ejari records registration. Designated shared housing requires the separate permit and DLD records described here.
- Registration costs AED 177.75 through the Dubai REST app or DLD website, or AED 220 in person at a Real Estate Trustee Center ([DLD registration schedule](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), as of 24 October 2026). The DLD service schedule lists registration and partner charges; separately quoted private charges need their own basis.
- The ordinary landlord-tenant relationship within its scope is governed by Law No. 26 of 2007, amended by Law No. 33 of 2008; rent increases follow Decree No. 43 of 2013 and the RERA rental index, the official rent benchmark ([DLD tenancy legislation](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/051bem5a/tenancyguideen.pdf), checked 24 October 2026). The designated shared-housing scope is set out below.
- The contract must state its agreed term; the legislation does not impose a universal 12-month tenancy. Article 4, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, lists the property description, tenancy purpose, term, rent, payment method and owner identification where the landlord is not the owner ([DLD tenancy legislation](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/051bem5a/tenancyguideen.pdf), checked 24 October 2026).
- Unless the parties agree otherwise, either party seeking to amend the terms must notify the other at least 90 days before expiry (Article 14, as amended). Separately, Article 6 covers continued occupation after expiry without the landlord objecting: renewal is for the previous term or one year, whichever is shorter, on the previous terms ([Articles 4 and 14](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/051bem5a/tenancyguideen.pdf); [Article 6](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%2826%29%20of%202007.html), checked 24 October 2026).
- Utilities, immigration and rental-claim procedures have their own documentary requirements. The service-specific distinctions are set out below.
:::

## Which contract applies?

**Scope checked 24 October 2026:** an ordinary whole-home lease outside the designated shared-housing regime follows the ordinary tenancy and Ejari route. The shared-housing law covers units authorised for that use, their owners, authorised establishments and residents, including in private development zones and free zones. The distinction depends on the property's authorised use and letting arrangement, not simply the word "flatshare" ([Dubai Media Office, 11 March 2026](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management), checked 24 October 2026).

For ordinary tenancies, Article 24 contains provisions about assignment and subletting, including the parties' agreement and written landlord consent. Those provisions do not issue a Municipality shared-housing permit. Within the designated shared-housing law's scope, the specific letting routes and tenant-subletting restriction below apply. A consent letter or an occupant entry cannot establish all these requirements ([Law No. 26 of 2007, Article 24](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%2826%29%20of%202007.html); [official shared-housing announcement](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management), checked 24 October 2026). This distinction does not decide the legal status of every household sharing a home.

## Who may let a designated shared-housing unit?

**Only the owner or an authorised establishment may let a unit within this law's scope.** The official announcement identifies these routes:

- The owner lets directly to residents.
- An authorised establishment manages and lets the unit on the owner's behalf.
- An authorised establishment leases from the owner for the purpose of subletting to residents.

The establishment must be licensed for the relevant leasing or management activity. The law's separate restriction prevents resident tenants or other parties from subletting any part of the unit; the expressly authorised establishment route is a different capacity. A resident's tenancy or the owner's consent alone does not make that resident an authorised operator ([Dubai Media Office, 11 March 2026](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management), checked 24 October 2026).

## What permit and DLD records are involved?

**A permit is required before a unit is allocated to shared housing.** Dubai Municipality oversees designation and permits. The permit and DLD contract records serve different purposes. DLD manages the electronic shared-housing registry linked to the Municipality's platform, and specifies contract information such as landlord details, resident numbers, unit details and allocated space ([official law announcement, 11 March 2026](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management), checked 24 October 2026).

The October release identifies **Build in Dubai** as the channel for issuing and renewing shared-housing permits. It says Dubai Civil Defence fire-system requirements and Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) CCTV requirements are verified before a permit is issued. Electronic links support DLD tenancy-contract registration for designated buildings and villas using permit data from the Municipality and other licensing authorities. The release does not publish a permit fee ([Dubai Municipality release, 7 October 2026](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/october/07-10/dubai-municipality-issues-planning-and-building-requirements-guide), checked 24 October 2026).

The same guide covers new buildings and existing buildings modified for shared housing in permitted areas. Each existing building is allocated to individual accommodation or family accommodation. It specifies at least **5 square metres of bedroom area per person**, and a separate bedroom with an en-suite bathroom for each family. These requirements concern designated shared housing; they are not a universal test for every ordinary household lease ([October release](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/october/07-10/dubai-municipality-issues-planning-and-building-requirements-guide), checked 24 October 2026).

Permit duration is separate from the regularisation period. The March announcement states a one-year renewable permit, the possibility of a two-year permit at the owner's request, and a renewal application at least 30 days before expiry ([official law announcement](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management), checked 24 October 2026).

### Worked example: an entire apartment and an operator's room

The following hypothetical comparison shows the different records to establish. It assumes the household's apartment is outside the designated shared-housing regime and the room is offered within that regime by an authorised establishment. It does not decide any person's eligibility.

| Record question | Household leasing an entire apartment | Occupant offered a room by an authorised shared-housing operator |
|---|---|---|
| What is agreed? | A whole-home tenancy identifying the property, parties, rent and term, using the ordinary contract route | A resident lease identifying the relevant unit and allocated space, with the DLD-required shared-housing information |
| Who has authority to let? | The owner or legally authorised landlord/representative for the ordinary transaction | The establishment's relevant licence and owner relationship: management on the owner's behalf, or a lease permitting the authorised operator route |
| What property approval matters? | The example does not assume the apartment is designated shared housing | The permit for the designated property and its approved use and occupancy conditions |
| What registration record matters? | The ordinary Ejari e-Contract Registration Certificate | The DLD shared-housing registry/contract record linked to the property's permit data, with the relevant owner/operator lease or management record |
| Does a household occupant entry replace these? | No, it is a separate household-data entry | No, it does not establish the permit, operator authority or shared-housing contract registration |

Source: withlida.com, 24 October 2026. Comparison derived from [amended Article 4](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.pdf), [DLD's ordinary registration service](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), and the [March](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management) and [October](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/october/07-10/dubai-municipality-issues-planning-and-building-requirements-guide) official releases, all checked on that date. These are record categories, not invented document titles or an assertion that the ordinary Ejari fees cover shared-housing permits.

DLD's [occupants service](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/steps-to-manage-co-occupants-overview/) records a household count, with personal details optional. Its [Ejari FAQ](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/campaign-for-ejari-services/) says no co-occupant certificate is issued and names do not appear in the rental contract. Read the [co-occupant record explanation](/insights/ejari-co-occupant-record) for that separate process. These household-data functions do not supply the shared-housing authorisation described above (official pages checked 24 October 2026).

## What does the regularisation period cover?

**The October release gives owners and property management and leasing companies one year from 8 September 2026 to regularise buildings already used for shared housing.** It expressly states that the period does not exempt owners from correcting building violations, unauthorised changes of use or conditions posing public-safety risks. Those matters must be rectified under the applicable requirements and legislation ([Dubai Municipality release, 7 October 2026](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/october/07-10/dubai-municipality-issues-planning-and-building-requirements-guide), checked 24 October 2026).

This is an adjustment period for existing operations. The release does not describe permission to begin a new, unpermitted conversion or to leave a safety issue unaddressed until the period ends. The March announcement provides for a possible one-time extension by Dubai Municipality's Director General if required; it does not make an extension automatic ([official announcement, 11 March 2026](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/march/11-03/mohammed-bin-rashid-issues-law-regulating-the-management), checked 24 October 2026). For the effective date, this guide follows the expressly dated October release.

## What a tenancy contract in Dubai actually is

A tenancy contract records the rent, term and responsibilities agreed between landlord and tenant. Article 4, as replaced by [Law No. 33 of 2008](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.pdf), requires leases within the law's scope and their amendments to be registered with RERA. This registration requirement does not, by itself, establish that every unregistered agreement has no legal effect. A disputed tenancy needs its own legal assessment (checked 24 October 2026).

That creates two documents that people often confuse. The contract sets the rules. The Ejari certificate, issued after registration, is the state's proof that the tenancy is on record. You sign the first; you register it to get the second. Keep the signed agreement and the current registration record together.

For ordinary tenancies within its scope, the relationship sits inside a clear legal frame. Law No. 26 of 2007, amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, governs how landlords and tenants deal with each other, from renewals to eviction notice. The amended relationship rules are in [Law No. 33 of 2008](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.pdf), checked 24 October 2026. Rent-increase limits are explained in the [rent-rules guide](/insights/dubai-rent-increase-rules). Knowing which rule covers what saves you a lot of argument later.

Contract duration and a registration service's conditions are separate questions. Article 5 requires the contractual term to be specified; it does not impose a universal twelve-month lease. DLD's current campaign FAQ separately describes the minimum Ejari term as one year. The handling of a shorter agreement needs confirmation with DLD ([Law No. 26 of 2007, Article 5](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%2826%29%20of%202007.html); [DLD Ejari FAQ](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/campaign-for-ejari-services/), checked 24 October 2026).

## What to check in the tenancy contract

DLD publishes a [Unified Tenancy Contract](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/ivuhfjxa/ejari_unified_tenancy_contract.pdf) with fields for the parties, property, term, rent, payment method and security deposit. Its clause 12 says additional conditions conflicting with the law will not be considered. The table is a review checklist, not a guarantee that a contract is enforceable (checked 24 October 2026).

Read the completed fields and any signed addendum together. The law supplies statutory duties; the form and addendum record agreed terms within that legal framework. A dispute depends on the applicable law and the particular evidence.

| Clause | What it fixes | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Property details | Address, size, and unit specifics | Ties the contract to the exact unit for Ejari and DEWA, Dubai's electricity and water authority |
| Duration | The agreed lease term | Sets when notice periods and renewal rights apply |
| Rent and payment terms | Amount and cheque schedule | Defines what counts as non-payment |
| Security deposit | Amount and refund conditions | Records agreed refund terms, read with the statutory deposit rules below |
| Termination clause | Early-exit notice and any penalty | Records agreed early-exit terms, read with the applicable law |
| Renewal clause | How the contract rolls over, and rent-change rules | Works with the 90-day notice rule below |
| Utility responsibility | Who pays DEWA, cooling, and internet | Records responsibility for move-in and move-out bills |

Source: withlida.com, 24 October 2026, using the [DLD Unified Tenancy Contract](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/ivuhfjxa/ejari_unified_tenancy_contract.pdf), checked on that date.

:::callout{variant="tip" title="Read the cheque and utility lines first"}
Check the agreed payment schedule and responsibility for utility bills in the signed contract. A cheque count alone does not establish a rent discount.
:::

## How much a tenancy contract costs

DLD's [registration schedule](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/) lists AED 177.75 via Dubai REST or the Department website and AED 220 at a trustee centre (checked 24 October 2026). These are registration-service totals, not a statement that private contract preparation or other move-in services are free.

| Route | Registration | Knowledge + innovation | Service partner + VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai REST app / DLD website | AED 100 | AED 10 + AED 10 | AED 55 + AED 2.75 VAT | AED 177.75 |
| Real Estate Trustee Center (in person) | AED 100 | AED 10 + AED 10 | AED 95 + VAT, as published | AED 220, published total |

Source: withlida.com, 24 October 2026, reproducing the [DLD registration and renewal schedule](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), checked on that date. Online, AED 100 + AED 10 + AED 10 + AED 55 + AED 2.75 = AED 177.75. For the trustee route, AED 100 + AED 10 + AED 10 + AED 95 = AED 215 before partner VAT. DLD's online example, AED 2.75 VAT on AED 55, implies a 5% proportion. Applying that proportion to the trustee partner's AED 95 gives AED 4.75 VAT and AED 219.75 in total, AED 0.25 below DLD's published AED 220. This calculation exposes the component inconsistency; it does not replace DLD's quoted total. The trustee line itself does not specify a VAT amount. Confirm the itemised payable amount with DLD or the centre. Neither ordinary registration total establishes a shared-housing permit fee.

Clause 14 of the [DLD Unified Tenancy Contract](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/ivuhfjxa/ejari_unified_tenancy_contract.pdf) assigns the undertaking to register and provide the required documents to the landlord. That clause does not state who ultimately bears the fee. Confirm payment arrangements in the signed agreement; the previous claim about a universal tenant custom has been withdrawn (checked 24 October 2026).


## How to make and register a tenancy contract

DLD's ordinary registration routes have eligibility conditions. The mobile-app terms require the tenant and landlord to be individuals and the owner's data to be current; trustee registration excludes property managed by a company or owner with Ejari system access ([DLD](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), checked 24 October 2026). The [Ejari guide](/insights/how-ejari-works-dubai) explains the registration channels.

::::steps
:::step{title="Agree the terms and sign the contract"}
Complete the Unified Tenancy Contract with the rent, term, cheque schedule, deposit, and clauses above. Both parties sign. This is the document, not yet the registration.
:::
:::step{title="Gather the documents"}
DLD lists a copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract for the app. That document line mentions individuals and companies, but the mobile-app service terms separately require individual parties. At a trustee centre it lists the original Unified Tenancy Contract, presentation of the applicant's Emirates ID and official power of attorney (POA) for a representative. For a Dubai-issued POA, its number can be entered without attaching it; a POA issued in another emirate must be attached. Other identity or property data may be requested in the application; this is not one universal attachment list ([DLD](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::step{title="Register through Ejari"}
Use the channel matching the parties and property. DLD lists its website (Ejari), Dubai REST, trustee centres and a link via Dubai Now. System access covers licensed property-management companies, individual owners managing their own property and their legally authorised representatives. Trustee applicants must be the tenant or an official representative, and the landlord must be the owner or an official representative. The service procedure directs customers of managed property to the management company. Select register or renew, enter the information, provide the required documents and pay the applicable published fee ([DLD service terms and channels](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::step{title="Receive the Ejari certificate"}
An employee reviews and approves the request. DLD describes the system/app certificate as emailed; the centre route issues the e-Contract Registration Certificate after processing. It records registration; each other service has its own requirements ([DLD procedure](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), checked 24 October 2026).
:::
::::

## The security deposit and getting it back

Article 20 allows a security deposit to secure maintenance at expiry and requires the landlord to return it or its remainder. Article 21 distinguishes the tenant's return condition from ordinary wear and damage beyond the tenant's control. Those articles do not prescribe the 5% and 10% deposit figures previously described here as standard practice ([Law No. 26 of 2007, Articles 20 and 21](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%2826%29%20of%202007.html), checked 24 October 2026). Confirm the amount and terms in the agreement; a disputed deduction requires its own evidence.

The Rental Disputes Center (RDC) [first-instance service](https://rdc.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-first-instance-lawsuit-rental/) states one business day to complete registration, not a deadline for judgment. The earlier claim that disputes typically finish within a few weeks has been withdrawn (checked 24 October 2026).

## Renewal and early termination

For ordinary tenancies under the legislation below, notice of a proposed change and renewal after continued occupation are separate rules. Article 14, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, requires either party seeking to change the tenancy terms to notify the other at least 90 days before expiry, unless they agree otherwise ([DLD tenancy legislation](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/051bem5a/tenancyguideen.pdf), checked 24 October 2026).

Under Article 6 of Law No. 26 of 2007, if the tenant remains after expiry and the landlord does not object, the contract renews on its previous terms for the previous duration or one year, whichever is shorter. The rule is not an unconditional one-year extension whenever no notice is sent ([Dubai Legislation Portal, Article 6](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%2826%29%20of%202007.html), checked 24 October 2026). Rent-increase limits are a separate question; see [the RERA rent-increase rules](/insights/dubai-rent-increase-rules).

Article 7 provides that a valid lease cannot be ended unilaterally during its term except by mutual consent or under the law. The previous generalisation about two months' notice and one to two months' rent as an early-exit penalty was not established by the cited legislation and has been removed. Read any termination clause with the law and obtain case-specific guidance ([Law No. 26 of 2007, Article 7](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%2826%29%20of%202007.html), checked 24 October 2026). Eviction grounds are addressed separately in Article 25 as amended.

## Is a tenancy contract valid without Ejari?

Article 4, as replaced by [Law No. 33 of 2008](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.pdf), requires leases within the law's scope and their amendments to be registered with RERA. This registration requirement does not, by itself, establish that every unregistered agreement has no legal effect. A disputed tenancy needs its own legal assessment (checked 24 October 2026).

The relevant authority sets the requirements for each service. The following distinctions were checked on 24 October 2026:

- **DEWA utilities.** [DEWA's move-in service](https://dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/service-guide/consumer-services/move-in) uses Ejari for tenants on that route, but also provides a tenancy-contract route for customers in free-zone premises exempt from Ejari. Owners have a separate route.
- **Family residence.** The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) [Arabic family-residence service](https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/ar/services/bf409606-56e2-11ea-0320-0050569629e8) requires suitable housing. Confirm the housing evidence for the particular application with GDRFA or Amer; this page does not establish one document rule for every visa category.
- **Rental disputes.** The [RDC first-instance rental service](https://rdc.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-first-instance-lawsuit-rental/) lists the latest lease (Ejari) among its documents. This checklist does not settle the legal effect of every missing or disputed registration. Ask RDC about the filing route and evidence for the particular case.

Keep the signed lease, the registration record and each service's document requirements distinct.

**FAQ checked: 24 October 2026.**

::::faq
:::faq-item{q="What is a tenancy contract in Dubai?"}
It records the lease terms between landlord and tenant. Article 4 requires leases within the law's scope and their amendments to be registered with RERA ([Law No. 33 of 2008](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.pdf), checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::faq-item{q="How much does a tenancy contract cost in Dubai?"}
DLD publishes registration totals of AED 177.75 online and AED 220 through trustee centres. Private drafting or handling charges, if quoted, are separate; this guide does not establish that they are free ([DLD](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/), checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::faq-item{q="Is there a stamping fee for a tenancy contract in Dubai?"}
The [DLD registration schedule](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/) lists registration, knowledge, innovation and partner charges, with no separate line called a stamping fee. That does not establish the cost of every other tenancy-related service. Confirm any additional charge's basis (checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::faq-item{q="Can I make my own tenancy agreement?"}
DLD provides an [official Unified Tenancy Contract](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/ivuhfjxa/ejari_unified_tenancy_contract.pdf), and the app's document list calls for a copy of it. Its additional-terms note allows an addendum signed by all parties; a bespoke agreement's acceptance and legal effect depend on the applicable requirements and facts (checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::faq-item{q="Is a tenancy contract valid without Ejari?"}
Registration is required for leases within Article 4's scope. The article does not establish a blanket conclusion that an unregistered agreement has no legal effect. Confirm a disputed contract or filing requirement with DLD, RDC or a qualified legal professional ([Law No. 33 of 2008](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.pdf), checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::faq-item{q="Where can I download the Dubai tenancy contract?"}
DLD publishes the [Unified Tenancy Contract PDF](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/ivuhfjxa/ejari_unified_tenancy_contract.pdf). Complete the relevant fields and read any addendum alongside the official terms; using the form does not pre-decide a later dispute (checked 24 October 2026).
:::
:::faq-item{q="What is the new rule for tenants in Dubai?"}
Law No. 4 of 2026 concerns designated shared housing. Dubai Municipality's 7 October release states an effective date of 8 September 2026 and a one-year regularisation period for existing buildings, with explicit safety and violation limits. It does not classify every shared household or replace the ordinary whole-home Ejari process ([official release](https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/october/07-10/dubai-municipality-issues-planning-and-building-requirements-guide), checked 24 October 2026).
:::
::::

:::callout{variant="note" title="Stay ahead of the rules"}
Dubai's tenancy fees and rental rules shift more often than most renters expect. Subscribe to the withlida market brief for the changes that affect your contract, in plain language.
:::

**Correction, 2 October 2026:** Corrected the fixed 12-month description and the renewal explanation. The notice rule includes an agreement exception; continued occupation without landlord objection renews for the previous term or one year, whichever is shorter. This correction does not represent a full re-verification of the guide.

**Correction, 3 October 2026:** Removed blanket claims about unregistered leases and public-service eligibility; corrected registration responsibility, channel requirements and the trustee partner fee wording. Withdrew unsupported deposit percentages, early-exit penalties, dispute-resolution timing and two old registration graphics. Preserved the 2 October renewal correction. This focused correction is not a full re-verification of the guide.

**Checked by the publication's independent check, 24 October 2026.**

**2026-10-24 · refreshed ·** Added the designated shared-housing scope, letting routes, permit and DLD records, worked comparison and regularisation limits from Dubai Media Office's 11 March and 7 October 2026 releases. Used the October release's express 8 September 2026 effective date. Rechecked the ordinary guide's legislation and service sources, expanded DLD's channel/document conditions, distinguished the minimum Ejari service term from statutory contract duration, and explained the trustee component inconsistency while retaining the published AED 177.75 and AED 220 totals.

:::callout{variant="info" title="Before you act"}
This guide is general information, not financial, legal, or investment advice. Fees, thresholds, and rules change; verify the current requirements with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), RERA, Dubai Municipality or the Rental Dispute Center, or a licensed legal professional, before you commit.
:::