Your first Dubai rental is intimidating - unfamiliar system, foreign contracts, big cheques, jargon. Complete beginner guide.
Before you sign anything
1
Verify landlord owns property
Dubai REST app > Real Estate > Title Deed Verification. Compare registered owner to landlord's Emirates ID.
2
Inspect in person
Never sign based on photos. Test everything.
3
Verify rent aligns with RERA Rent Index
Dubai REST app > Rent Calculator.
Creating the contract
1
Free at tenancycontract.com
3 minutes.
2
Enter rental terms
Annual rent, dates, 5% deposit unfurnished, 4 cheques.
3
Recommended Additional Terms
1) Tenant utilities. 2) Landlord major repairs. 3) 60-day termination + 1 month penalty. 4) 90-day renewal notice. 5) No subletting.
4
Generate PDF, print two copies
A4 colour.
5
Both parties sign every page
Wet-ink.
Ejari registration
1
Dubai REST app
Sign in with UAE Pass.
2
Services > Ejari > Register
Upload contract + IDs + title deed + DEWA bill.
3
Pay AED 220
Card. Certificate 15-30 min.
After Ejari
- Connect DEWA: dewa.gov.ae, AED 2,000-4,000 refundable deposit, same-day
- Connect chiller: separate provider, AED 1,000-2,000 deposit
- Connect internet: Etisalat or Du
- Register visa if pending: Ejari as accommodation proof
- Register kids in school: Ejari as address proof
Total first-time budget (AED 80k/year 1BHK)
- Contract: FREE
- Ejari: AED 220
- Broker (5%): AED 4,000
- Deposit (5%): AED 4,000
- DEWA: AED 2,000
- Chiller: AED 1,500
- First cheque: AED 20,000
- Move-in permit: AED 500
- TOTAL: ~AED 32,220 (AED 7,500 refundable)
Common first-time mistakes
- Not verifying landlord ownership (scam risk)
- Above-cap security deposit (illegal)
- No property inspection photos (deposit disputes)
- Delaying Ejari past 30 days
- Not reading Section 6 carefully
- Signing a custom lease template
- Handing over cheques before both sign
For pre-signing, see what to check. For Ejari, see complete guide.