Setting up a new tenancy contract in Dubai is faster and cheaper in 2026 than it's ever been. AI-powered online generation replaces the typing centre. Here's the complete process from agreement to Ejari registration.
Step 1: Agree the rental terms with the landlord
Before drafting the contract, agree on:
- Annual rent (negotiable based on RERA Rent Index for the area)
- Contract period (12 months standard, sometimes 24)
- Furnishing status (affects deposit: 5% unfurnished, 10% furnished)
- Mode of payment (1, 2, 4, 6, or 12 cheques — fewer cheques often earns 5-10% rent discount)
- Move-in date
- Pet policy, parking, maintenance split (goes into Additional Terms)
Step 2: Gather the required documents
- Title deed (from landlord) — for property number, plot, owner name, DEWA premises area
- Landlord's Emirates ID (or passport for non-residents)
- Tenant's Emirates ID (or passport with UAE entry stamp)
- Recent DEWA bill — for the unique Premises Number
- Salary certificate / 3-month bank statements (often requested by landlord)
Step 3: Generate the official DLD contract
Go to tenancycontract.com. Upload the documents. AI extracts every required field in 5-15 seconds:
- Owner name, plot number, property number, DEWA premises (from title deed and DEWA bill)
- Both parties' names, Emirates ID numbers, nationalities (from IDs)
- Building name, area, property size, type, usage
You add the rental terms (rent, dates, deposit, cheques, additional terms) and click Generate. Free, 3 minutes.
Step 4: Print and sign
- Print two original copies on standard A4
- Both parties sign on every page — required by DLD
- Each party keeps an original
- Exchange post-dated cheques and security deposit
Step 5: Register Ejari
Within 30 days of contract start, the tenant (typically) registers Ejari:
- Open the Dubai REST app
- Services → Ejari → Register Ejari Contract
- Upload signed contract, both Emirates IDs, title deed, DEWA bill
- Pay AED 220 (AED 195 + AED 25 knowledge & innovation fee)
- Receive Ejari certificate digitally within 15-30 minutes
Step 6: Set up DEWA, chiller, internet
- DEWA connection — apply via DEWA app or website using your Ejari certificate. AED 2,000 deposit (apt) or AED 4,000 (villa). Activation within 24 hours.
- Chiller (Empower / Tabreed) — separate account, similar process
- Internet (du, Etisalat, e&) — Ejari certificate required for activation
For the full Dubai renting experience including upfront costs, see our first-time tenant walkthrough.