Question 1

What is the maximum legal rent increase in Dubai in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Decree No. 43 of 2013 sets the maximum annual rent increase in Dubai based on how far your current rent is below the RERA Rental Index market rate:

• Current rent within 10% of index: 0% increase permitted
• 11–20% below index: maximum 5% increase
• 21–30% below index: maximum 10% increase
• 31–40% below index: maximum 15% increase
• More than 40% below index: maximum 20% increase

The maximum 20% cap only applies to tenants paying dramatically below-market rents. The majority of Dubai tenants paying typical market-adjacent rents qualify for at most 5–10%. If your rent equals or exceeds the RERA index, your landlord is legally prohibited from any increase whatsoever.

Question 2

Can a Dubai landlord raise rent every year?

Accepted Answer

No — three conditions must all be met simultaneously:

1. At least 12 months must have passed since the last rent increase (or lease start)
2. Your current rent must be more than 10% below the RERA Rental Index for your building and unit type
3. You must receive 90 days' written notice before the new contract takes effect

If any of these conditions is not met, the increase is legally unenforceable. A landlord who fails to give 90 days' notice cannot retrospectively enforce the increase for that lease year — you can legally continue paying the old rent amount. Keep all communications in writing and dated.

Question 3

How do I find the RERA Rental Index for my specific property?

Accepted Answer

The official source is the Dubai REST app (available on iOS and Android) or smartservices.rrd.gov.ae. Search by your building name or MAKANI number (the 10-digit location code). The index returns average annual rent in AED for your unit bedroom count within your specific building or community. It is updated quarterly. Important: the index is building-level, not area-level — you cannot compare across buildings even in the same community. If your building is not in the index (common for smaller or older buildings), RERA typically uses the nearest comparable within the same master community.

Question 4

What if my landlord ignores Decree 43 and demands an illegal increase?

Accepted Answer

An illegal rent increase is not enforceable. Your legal position:

1. Respond in writing by registered mail, citing the specific Decree 43 bracket and your RERA index certificate. Attach the index printout.
2. Continue paying the existing rent amount — this does not constitute breach.
3. If the landlord refuses to issue a compliant renewal contract, file with the Dubai Rental Dispute Centre (RDC). Filing fee: 3.5% of annual rent, minimum AED 500, maximum AED 20,000. RDC typically rules within 30 days.
4. An RDC ruling in your favour is binding. Non-compliance by the landlord can result in enforcement action through Dubai Courts.

Question 5

Can a landlord evict a tenant to avoid the Decree 43 increase limits?

Accepted Answer

Not without a legitimate legal reason — and not quickly. Dubai landlords can only terminate a tenancy for: (1) non-payment of rent, (2) property damage, (3) illegal property use, (4) proven owner personal use (with 12 months written notice), or (5) demolition/major renovation (with 12 months written notice and RERA approval). The 12-month notice requirement for personal use evictions must be delivered by registered mail or notary public — WhatsApp messages, SMS, and email do not meet the legal standard. A landlord who serves a compliant 12-month notice simply to reset rent at market level is acting within the law, but the 12-month lead time effectively limits its use as a short-term tactic.

Question 6

Investor perspective: how does Decree 43 affect property ROI?

Accepted Answer

For investors, Decree 43 creates asymmetric value in below-market-rent tenanted properties. A property with an existing tenant paying 30% below the RERA index allows the new owner to increase rent by up to 10% per year legally — compounding at 10% annually for 3+ years until reaching market. On a AED 100,000/year gross rent property, this trajectory adds AED 33,100 in cumulative additional income over 3 years compared to flat rent. This is why competitively priced tenanted properties often trade at premiums to vacant units — the investor is not just buying a property, they are buying a below-market lease that they can legally escalate to market over time.

Question 7

Is there a free RERA rent increase calculator for Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Altamimi RERA Rent Increase Calculator at roi.altamimirealestate.com/rera is the fastest free tool for checking Decree 43 compliance. Enter your current annual rent and the RERA index market rate — the calculator immediately shows your gap percentage, the applicable bracket, the maximum permitted increase in dirhams and percentage, and your maximum legal new rent. It is the only free tool that presents all five Decree 43 brackets with your exact numbers applied. No signup required.

RERA Rent Increase Calculator

RERA Rent Increase — Common Questions