Can I transfer my Dubai tenancy contract to a new tenant?

Yes, with the landlord's written consent. The cleanest route is to terminate the existing contract, cancel Ejari, and issue a new DLD contract to the incoming tenant — not to assign the existing contract.

What happens to my tenancy if the landlord sells the property?

Your tenancy remains valid until the contract end date — the new owner inherits the tenancy. They cannot evict you for the sale alone. If they want personal use, they must give 12 months written notice via notary.

Do I need to do anything if the property is sold mid-tenancy?

Continue paying rent — to the new owner once you're notified. The new owner usually updates Ejari to reflect the ownership change. You don't need a new contract immediately.

Can the new owner increase my rent immediately after buying?

No. The existing rent applies until the contract end date. Any increase at renewal must comply with the RERA Rent Index and the 90-day notice rule.

What if the landlord refuses to consent to a new tenant?

The landlord has full discretion. If they refuse, the existing tenant must continue under the contract or terminate early per the early termination clause / penalty.

Who pays the Ejari cancellation and re-registration fees in a transfer?

Negotiable — typically the outgoing tenant pays cancellation (AED 30) and the incoming tenant pays re-registration (AED 220), but this can be split or handled by the landlord.

Transfer of Tenancy Contract in Dubai: Reissue Guide (2026)

Transferring a Dubai tenancy contract — whether to a new tenant taking over your lease, or a new owner who bought the property — requires either an assignment or, more commonly, a fresh DLD Unified Tenancy Contract. Here's how each route works.

Two Common Transfer Scenarios

Tenant-to-tenant transfer: existing tenant assigns the lease to a new tenant (e.g. job relocation; flatmate takeover)
Owner change: the property is sold and the new owner inherits the tenancy

Tenant-to-Tenant Transfer

A tenant cannot unilaterally hand off their tenancy. Two consents are required:

The landlord — must approve the new tenant in writing
The new tenant — must accept the existing terms or negotiate new ones

If both consent, the cleanest route is to terminate the existing contract and issue a new one to the incoming tenant. The Ejari is cancelled and a new Ejari is registered.

Step-by-Step: Tenant-to-Tenant Transfer

Get landlord written consent

Email or letter explicitly approving the incoming tenant. The landlord may ask for the new tenant's salary certificate, Emirates ID, and references.

Settle outstanding obligations

Existing tenant pays any due rent, returns the unit in good condition (or settles damages from the security deposit), and signs a release.

Cancel existing Ejari

Landlord or existing tenant cancels the current Ejari (AED 30 fee). Until this is done, a new Ejari can't be registered for the same unit.

Generate new DLD contract for incoming tenant

New contract uses the new tenant's Emirates ID and the agreed terms. Generate online — free, 3 minutes.

Within 30 days, the new tenant registers Ejari with the new contract.

Owner Change: Property Sold During Tenancy

When a property changes ownership, Dubai law protects the existing tenant. The new owner inherits the existing tenancy contract and cannot evict the tenant simply because they bought the property.

Existing tenancy contract remains valid until its end date
Tenant continues paying rent — to the new owner once notified
Ejari may need to be updated to reflect the new owner; usually the new owner handles this
If the new owner wants the property for personal use, they must give 12 months written notice via notary public

Owner-Change Document Updates

Updated title deed (with new owner's name) — needed before next renewal
Notification to tenant of new owner's bank details for rent
Updated Ejari record (new owner usually files this)
Cheque endorsement: existing post-dated cheques can be endorsed to the new owner, or the existing tenant issues new cheques

Common Transfer Mistakes

Tenant-to-tenant transfer without landlord consent (legal risk for both old and new tenants)
New owner trying to evict an existing tenant before the contract end date
Failing to cancel old Ejari before registering the new one
Skipping the security deposit reconciliation between outgoing and incoming tenants

If the existing tenant wants to leave before the contract ends, see our early termination guide for notice periods and penalty options.

Generate the Transfer Contract Free →