Your landlord has sent you a rent increase notice. Before you accept it, you need to know whether it is legal. Dubai's RERA Rental Index sets strict caps on how much rent can go up at renewal, based on how your current rent compares to the market average. This guide explains exactly how to check.
What is the RERA Rental Index?
The RERA Rental Index is an official database maintained by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) that records the average market rent for every type of property in every area of Dubai. It is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.
The index is used to determine whether a landlord is legally permitted to increase rent — and if so, by how much. It is the only legally recognised benchmark for rent increases in Dubai.
The Maximum Legal Rent Increase Tiers
Ministerial Decree No. 43 of 2013 sets the following rent increase caps, based on how your current rent compares to the RERA index value for your property:
- Current rent is within 10% of the index value → 0% increase permitted (no increase allowed)
- Current rent is 11–20% below the index value → maximum 5% increase permitted
- Current rent is 21–30% below the index value → maximum 10% increase permitted
- Current rent is 31–40% below the index value → maximum 15% increase permitted
- Current rent is more than 40% below the index value → maximum 20% increase permitted
This means that even if the market has risen dramatically, a landlord can only increase your rent by a maximum of 20% per renewal cycle — and only if your rent is significantly below the market average.
Step-by-Step: How to Use the RERA Rental Calculator
The 90-Day Notice Rule
Even if a landlord is legally entitled to increase the rent, they must give the tenant at least 90 days written notice before the contract expiry date. A rent increase notice received with less than 90 days to go cannot legally be applied at the next renewal — it would only apply at the following renewal.
If you receive a rent increase notice with less than 90 days to contract expiry, write back to your landlord immediately noting the insufficiency of notice. Keep a copy of this communication.
What to Do If the Increase Exceeds the Legal Cap
If your landlord's proposed increase exceeds what the RERA calculator shows is legally permitted, you have clear options:
- Write to your landlord citing the RERA Rental Index result and the permitted maximum
- Attach a screenshot of the RERA calculator result showing the legal cap
- State that you will renew at the legally permitted rate only
- If the landlord refuses, file a rental dispute with the Dubai Rental Dispute Settlement Centre
- The Centre will apply the RERA index and typically rule in the tenant's favour if the increase is illegal
When Can a Landlord Not Increase Rent at All?
A landlord cannot increase rent if your current rent is already within 10% of the RERA index value. This is a rent freeze — the index is protecting you. This situation is more common than people realise, especially in areas that saw strong rent growth in recent years.
Recent Changes to the RERA Rental Index
The RERA Rental Index is updated periodically to reflect market changes. Dubai's rental market saw significant increases in 2022–2024, which led many properties to see their RERA index values rise. If the index value for your area has risen since your last renewal, your landlord may now be entitled to a larger increase than before — even if you stayed flat last year.
Always check the current index value at each renewal, not just once. Market conditions change, and so does your landlord's legal entitlement to increase your rent.