Question 1

What is Ejari and is it mandatory?

Accepted Answer

Ejari is the official tenancy contract registration system in Dubai, managed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). It is mandatory for all rental agreements.  -  Ejari validates the tenancy contract legally -  Required for the tenant to connect DEWA (utilities), obtain a residency visa, and access other government services -  Registration fee is approximately AED 220 -  The contract details (rent, duration, terms) are recorded in the Ejari system -  Both landlord and tenant receive a registered Ejari certificate  Failure to register on Ejari can result in penalties and complications in any future disputes.

Question 2

How do I set the right rental price for my property?

Accepted Answer

To determine competitive rental pricing:  -  Check the RERA Rental Index: The official benchmark for rental values by area, building, and unit type -  Research comparable listings on Bayut and Property Finder -  Consider your property's condition, view, floor level, and furnishing -  Factor in market conditions — vacancy rates in your community -  Account for amenities your building offers vs. competitors  Overpricing leads to extended vacancies (often costlier than a slightly lower rent). We recommend pricing at or slightly below market to attract quality tenants quickly.

Question 3

Can I rent my property furnished or unfurnished?

Accepted Answer

Both options are viable in the UAE market:  -  Unfurnished: More common for annual leases; attracts long-term tenants; lower maintenance costs -  Furnished: Commands 20–40% higher rent; popular in tourist areas (Marina, Downtown, JBR); higher tenant turnover -  Short-term furnished: Requires a holiday home permit from DTCM; highest yields but most management-intensive  The choice depends on your target tenant profile, location, and willingness to manage furnishings.

Question 4

What should be included in a tenancy contract?

Accepted Answer

A proper UAE tenancy contract must include:  -  Full names and identification of landlord and tenant -  Property details (unit number, size, location) -  Lease duration (typically 12 months) -  Annual rent amount and payment method (number of cheques) -  Security deposit amount (typically 5% for unfurnished, 10% for furnished) -  Maintenance responsibilities -  Notice period for non-renewal (90 days per RERA regulations) -  Terms for early termination -  DEWA and service charge responsibilities  We recommend using RERA-approved standard tenancy contracts to ensure legal compliance.

Question 5

Can I increase rent, and by how much?

Accepted Answer

Rent increases in Dubai are regulated by RERA's Rental Increase Calculator:  -  If current rent is 10% or less below market average: No increase allowed -  11–20% below market: Up to 5% increase -  21–30% below market: Up to 10% increase -  31–40% below market: Up to 15% increase -  More than 40% below market: Up to 20% increase  Key rules: -  90 days written notice is required before any increase -  Increases are only applicable upon lease renewal -  The RERA Rental Index is the official reference for market rates -  Tenants can dispute unreasonable increases through the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC)

Question 6

How many cheques should I accept for rent payment?

Accepted Answer

Cheque structure is negotiable between landlord and tenant:  -  1 cheque: Best for landlords — full annual rent upfront. Increasingly rare and may limit your tenant pool -  2 cheques: Common compromise — semi-annual payments -  4 cheques: Quarterly — most common in the current market -  6 or 12 cheques: Attracts the widest tenant pool but requires more administration  Accepting more cheques typically allows you to command slightly higher rent. The trend in Dubai is moving toward 4–6 cheques. Some landlords now accept bank transfers instead of cheques.

Question 7

How do I find reliable tenants?

Accepted Answer

To attract and screen quality tenants:  -  List on major portals (Bayut, Property Finder, Dubizzle) with professional photos -  Work with a licensed real estate agent who can pre-screen applicants -  Verify employment and salary (standard practice is rent should be ≤30% of annual income) -  Check references from previous landlords -  Verify identification documents -  Consider background checks for higher-value properties -  Use Ejari history to check rental track record  JBJ GLOBAL REAL ESTATE provides tenant sourcing and screening services as part of our landlord support.

Question 8

What can I do if my tenant doesn't pay rent?

Accepted Answer

Dubai law provides clear recourse for non-payment:  1. Send a formal written notice (notarized) giving 30 days to pay 2. If unpaid, file a case with the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC) 3. RDC can issue eviction orders for non-payment 4. A bounced cheque is a criminal offense in the UAE — you can file a police report  Prevention is better than cure: -  Screen tenants thoroughly before leasing -  Require post-dated cheques for the full lease period -  Include clear penalty clauses in the tenancy contract -  Maintain open communication with tenants about any payment difficulties

Question 9

Can I evict a tenant, and what are the grounds?

Accepted Answer

Under UAE Law No. 33 of 2008 (as amended), landlords can request eviction for:  -  Non-payment of rent after 30-day notice -  Subletting without consent -  Using property for illegal purposes -  Making unauthorized modifications -  Property left vacant for 30+ consecutive days (commercial) or 90 days (residential)  For no-fault eviction (e.g., personal use, major renovation, demolition): -  12 months written notice via notary public is required -  Must be served upon or before the lease expiry date -  Tenant has the right to contest through RDC  Selling the property does NOT automatically terminate an existing lease.

Question 10

Who is responsible for property maintenance — landlord or tenant?

Accepted Answer

UAE law clearly divides responsibilities:  Landlord is responsible for: -  Structural repairs (walls, roof, foundation) -  Major plumbing and electrical systems -  Air conditioning system (central AC or major repairs) -  Common area maintenance (via service charges) -  Appliances provided by the landlord  Tenant is responsible for: -  Day-to-day minor maintenance -  Keeping the property in good condition -  Minor repairs caused by normal wear and tear -  Reporting major issues promptly -  Any damage caused by the tenant or their guests  Clear maintenance clauses in the tenancy contract prevent disputes.

Question 11

Should I hire a property management company?

Accepted Answer

Property management makes sense if:  -  You own multiple rental properties -  You live outside the UAE -  You prefer hands-off management -  You have short-term / holiday rentals  Typical property management fees: -  Annual management: 5–8% of annual rent -  Holiday home management: 15–25% of rental income  Services typically include: -  Tenant sourcing and screening -  Rent collection and accounting -  Maintenance coordination -  Ejari registration and renewals -  Regular property inspections -  Handling tenant queries and complaints

Question 12

What are service charges and how do they work?

Accepted Answer

Service charges cover the maintenance of common areas and shared facilities:  -  Charged annually per square foot of your property -  Typical range: AED 10–30 per sq ft (varies by community and amenities) -  Covers: building maintenance, security, landscaping, pool, gym, elevators, common utilities -  Set by the Owners' Association and approved by RERA -  Must be paid regardless of whether the property is occupied or vacant  Landlords should factor service charges into their net yield calculations. Some landlords pass DEWA or chiller charges to tenants — this should be clearly stated in the tenancy contract.

Question 13

Do I need a license to rent out my property in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

For standard long-term leases (12+ months), no special license is required beyond:  -  Valid title deed in your name -  Ejari registration of the tenancy contract  For short-term/holiday rentals, you need: -  Holiday Home permit from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) -  Registration with an approved holiday home operator -  Compliance with DTCM standards for furnishing and amenities -  Regular inspections and quality audits  Penalties for operating unlicensed holiday homes can be severe, including fines and blacklisting.

Question 14

What happens to my tenancy if I sell the property?

Accepted Answer

Under UAE law, selling a property does NOT terminate an existing tenancy:  -  The new owner inherits the current tenancy agreement -  All terms and conditions remain in force until lease expiry -  The new owner cannot increase rent or evict during the current lease period -  The tenant's security deposit obligation transfers to the new owner  If you want to sell vacant, you must: -  Wait for the lease to expire naturally, OR -  Negotiate early termination with the tenant (usually involves compensation), OR -  Provide 12 months eviction notice for 'owner use' (must be genuine)

Renting Your Property in Dubai

Landlord Guide

Understandingthe Rental Market

PreparingYour Property for Rent

RentalPricing & Strategy

Marketing& Exposure

TenantScreening (Critical Step)

LegalFramework & Ejari

CostsLandlords Should Expect

Handover& Move-In

Renewals,Rent Increases & Notices

HowJBJ Global Real Estate Supports Landlords

LandlordQuestions Answered

Leasing Basics

Rental Contracts & Regulations

Tenant Management

Maintenance & Management

Legal & Compliance

A Founder-Led Vision

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