How is the rent increase percentage decided under the RERA index in Dubai?

The rent increase percentage in Dubai is decided by comparing your current contract rent to the average market rent for similar units, as recorded in the RERA rental index. The mechanism is set in Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013. The further your current rent sits below the market average, the larger the increase a landlord may apply, up to a capped maximum. Specifically: a rent within 10% of the market average attracts no increase; the further below market it falls, the increase ceiling rises in steps, reaching a maximum of 20% only when your rent is more than 40% below the market average. The calculation is automatic in the official RERA rent calculator: it pulls the index figure for your community, property type, and bedroom count, measures the gap against your rent, and outputs the permitted percentage. This means two neighbours can face different lawful increases depending on what each currently pays. The figure the calculator gives is a ceiling, not a fixed entitlement, and a landlord may agree to less. For disputes, the Rental Dispute Center decides. Compare verified UAE tenancy lawyers on LEXAI if needed.