Can my landlord increase my rent in Dubai above what the RERA rental index allows?

For an ordinary residential tenancy in Dubai, your landlord cannot charge more than the RERA rental index allows. The index is binding, not advisory, and a landlord cannot simply declare it inapplicable to his building. Permitted increases follow a sliding scale based on how far your current rent sits below the average for comparable units in your area, and you can check your own figure using the official rental index calculator on the Dubai REST app. The main genuine exceptions are zones with their own legal framework, such as the DIFC; for a standard Dubai apartment, the index applies. Separately, a landlord who wants to change the rent must notify you at least 90 days before the renewal date — if that notice was late, you have an additional argument that the existing terms carry over. Run the calculator, reply to the landlord in writing with the result, and keep all correspondence. If he insists on the higher figure, the Rental Dispute Centre at the Dubai Land Department is the forum that decides exactly this kind of disagreement. A licensed UAE lawyer can review your renewal notice and the dates and tell you precisely how strong your position is before you respond.