Dubai contracts do not auto-renew. Every year requires fresh DLD contract, signing, and re-Ejari.
The 90-day rule
Either party wanting to change anything at renewal must give 90 days written notice BEFORE contract end. Without notice:
- Contract auto-continues on same terms
- Rent cannot be increased
- Tenant can stay until 90-day notice given for future change
Creating renewal contract
1
Generate at tenancycontract.com
Free. Same DLD template.
2
New dates
Start = original end + 1. End = new start + 12 months.
3
Agreed rent
Same OR agreed increase within RERA Rent Index cap with 90-day notice.
4
Update Additional Terms if needed
Any renegotiated clauses.
5
Both sign every page wet-ink
Two originals.
6
Re-register Ejari within 30 days
Dubai REST app. AED 220.
Rent increase caps (RERA Rent Index)
- Rent 0-10% below market: 0% increase
- Rent 11-20% below market: up to 5%
- Rent 21-30% below: up to 10%
- Rent 31-40% below: up to 15%
- Rent >40% below: up to 20%
- 90-day written notice required
- Notice less than 90 days = invalid
Common renewal mistakes
- Not creating a new contract
- Rent increase without 90-day notice
- Increase above RERA cap
- Not re-registering Ejari
- Verbal renewal agreement
- Not checking updated rent against Index
Non-renewal (moving out)
1
90-day written notice
By day 275 of current contract.
2
Do not renew Ejari
Let expire.
3
Joint move-out inspection
Document condition.
4
Get deposit refund
Within 30 days minus documented damage.
Renewal negotiation tips
- Tenants: cite RERA Rent Index for illegal above-cap requests
- Tenants: negotiate longer future notice periods
- Landlords: 6/12 cheques as compromise for lower rent
- Both: review Additional Terms - problem areas updated now
For renewal letters, see renewal letter template. For annual checklist, see renewal checklist.