Your Dubai landlord just sent a rent increase notice. Can you refuse it? Often yes — and the law is mostly on the tenant's side. Here's the step-by-step process to legally refuse a rent increase, including what's enforceable and what's not.
Step 1: Check the 90-Day Rule
Under Dubai Law, any rent increase requires 90 days written notice before the contract end date. Notice given less than 90 days is invalid — the rent stays the same for the next contract period regardless of what the index allows.
If your notice arrived less than 90 days before renewal: you can refuse outright on this basis alone.
Step 2: Check the RERA Rent Index
If the 90-day rule is satisfied, check the RERA Rent Index for your property at dubailand.gov.ae or the Dubai REST app.
The index calculates the maximum legal increase based on how far below market rate your current rent is:
- Current rent within 10% of market: 0% increase allowed
- 11–20% below market: max 5%
- 21–30% below market: max 10%
- 31–40% below market: max 15%
- More than 40% below: max 20%
If your landlord's proposed increase exceeds the index cap: the proposed increase is unlawful and you can refuse the excess.
Step 3: Send a Formal Counter-Notice
Reply to the landlord's notice in writing:
- Reference the original notice (date received, proposed increase)
- If 90-day rule was missed: state the notice is invalid and rent will remain unchanged
- If index cap was exceeded: state the proposed increase exceeds the RERA Rent Index cap of [your %], cite the index calculator output
- Counter-offer at the legal cap (e.g. accept 5% if the index allows up to 5%)
- Send via email AND registered mail
- Keep proof of delivery
Step 4: If Landlord Insists — File at RERA
If the landlord refuses the counter-offer and tries to enforce the higher rent (e.g. won't accept your existing rent at renewal), file at the RERA Rental Dispute Centre:
- Filing fee: 3.5% of disputed amount (minimum AED 500)
- Submit: contract, Ejari, original increase notice, your counter-notice, RERA Index output
- Hearing scheduled within 14-30 days
- Decision typically within 30-60 days
- RDC has authority to set the legal rent and order continued tenancy
What If Landlord Threatens Eviction
Your landlord cannot legally evict you for refusing an unlawful rent increase. They can only evict for the specific grounds in Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007: non-payment, illegal use, property damage, personal use (12 months notice), demolition (12 months notice), sale (12 months notice). 'Tenant won't pay above-cap rent' is not an eviction ground.
If they threaten eviction or change locks: file at RERA immediately. Self-help eviction is illegal.
What Wins the Case
- Documented late notice (less than 90 days before renewal)
- RERA Rent Index calculator output showing your area's market rate
- Clear counter-notice trail
- Evidence of attempts to negotiate in good faith
Common Tenant Mistakes
- Accepting the increase 'temporarily' to avoid hassle (sets a precedent for next year)
- Verbal-only counter-offers (no legal weight)
- Missing the 90-day window to challenge
- Not running the RERA Index calculator before negotiating
- Continuing to pay the higher amount in protest (legitimizes the increase)
For the RERA Rent Index walkthrough, see rent increase calculator Dubai guide.