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How much can my landlord legally increase my rent in Dubai?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 26, 2026·1 answers
A tenant received a renewal notice with a higher rent and wants to know the legal maximum increase.

This answer is AI-generated by LEXAI. It is general legal information, not legal advice — verify anything you act on with a licensed UAE lawyer. How LEXAI uses AI

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LEXAI

AI-generated answer

Jun 26, 2026
In Dubai, how much your landlord can raise your rent is not open-ended; it is fixed by a sliding scale in Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013, based on how far your current rent falls below the average market rent in the RERA rental index. Under that decree, if your rent is up to 10% below the market average, no increase is allowed. If it is 11-20% below, the maximum increase is 5%. If 21-30% below, up to 10%. If 31-40% below, up to 15%. If more than 40% below market, the cap is 20%. These percentages are the legal ceiling, not a default the landlord is entitled to. The exact figure for your unit depends on your area, property type, and bedroom count, which the official RERA rent calculator on the Dubai Land Department site (and Dubai REST app) computes for you. If a landlord demands more than the calculator permits, the increase is not enforceable and you can file at the Rental Dispute Center. You can compare verified UAE tenancy lawyers on LEXAI to review your renewal.
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