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Can I transfer my tenancy contract to someone else in Dubai before it ends?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 10, 2026·1 answers
I'm a tenant in Dubai with six months left on my contract, and a colleague is happy to take over the apartment on the same terms. My landlord hasn't said no, but I don't know whether a tenancy contract can simply be transferred, whether the Ejari needs to be redone, or what charges I should expect to be asked for.

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L
LEXAI

Editorially reviewed by LEXAI

Jun 11, 2026
A Dubai tenancy cannot simply be handed to someone else: assignment or subletting requires the landlord's written consent, and without it the arrangement has no protection. Since your landlord seems open to it, there are two clean ways forward. The first is a written assignment signed by all three parties, transferring the contract to your colleague on the same terms. The second — and in practice simpler — is to terminate your contract by agreement and have your colleague sign a fresh tenancy directly with the landlord. Either way, Ejari must be sorted: your existing registration is cancelled and a new one registered in your colleague's name, because Ejari follows the contract, not the apartment. Expect the landlord to ask for an administrative charge for the change; there is no fixed lawful tariff, so agree the figure in writing before anything is signed. Most importantly, get a written release confirming you have no further obligations under the old contract once your colleague takes over — that single document is what protects you if anything goes wrong later. A tenancy lawyer can look over the paperwork quickly and make sure it releases you cleanly.
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