Tools · Dubai RERA Rental Index
Decree 43 of 2013 sets the maximum permitted rent increase on a Dubai tenancy renewal. Enter your current annual rent and the RERA Rental Index average for your area / unit — get the maximum lawful new rent on renewal. Combined with the 90-day notice rule under Law 33 of 2008.
| Gap below market | Maximum increase |
|---|---|
| Current rent up to 10% below market | 0% — no increase permitted |
| 11% – 20% below market | 5% |
| 21% – 30% below market | 10% |
| 31% – 40% below market | 15% |
| More than 40% below market | 20% — maximum cap |
Decree 43 of 2013 caps rent increases on tenancy renewal in Dubai. The increase is determined by the gap between the current contractual rent and the RERA Rental Index average for comparable units in the same area. The greater the gap below market, the larger the permitted increase — but capped at 20%.
Three rules together govern Dubai rent increases:
Disputes go to the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). The landlord proves market via the RERA Rental Index lookup; the tenant can challenge with comparables. Where the parties disagree, RDC sets the renewal terms.
RDC representation, rent-cap challenges, eviction defence, deposit recovery — same business-day partner response.
Speak to us →The Dubai RERA Rental Index Calculator is used to determine the maximum permitted rent increase on a Dubai tenancy renewal, as per Decree 43 of 2013. It calculates the maximum lawful new rent based on the current annual rent and the RERA Rental Index average for the area or unit. The calculator helps landlords and tenants understand the rent increase cap in Dubai.
To use the calculator, enter your current annual rent and the RERA Rental Index average for your area or unit, and it will calculate the maximum lawful new rent on renewal. The calculator takes into account the gap between the current contractual rent and the RERA Rental Index average for comparable units in the same area. The greater the gap below market, the larger the permitted increase, but capped at 20%.
The 90-day notice rule, as per Law 33 of 2008, requires landlords to serve notice of any rent increase at least 90 days before the renewal date. If the landlord fails to provide timely notice, no rent increase is permitted for that cycle. This rule applies to all tenancy renewals in Dubai, including those governed by the RERA Rental Index.
If the landlord and tenant disagree on the rent increase, the dispute is referred to the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). The RDC will determine the renewal terms, taking into account the RERA Rental Index and any comparable evidence provided by the parties. The landlord must prove the market rate using the RERA Rental Index, while the tenant can challenge with comparable evidence.
Yes, Ejari registration is required for the RERA Rental Index mechanism to apply. As per Law 26 of 2007, the tenancy must be Ejari-registered for the rent-increase mechanism to apply, and for the landlord to have a formal enforcement route. Without Ejari registration, the tenant has no formal protection, and the landlord has no formal enforcement route, and disputes will be referred to the RDC.