Tawtheeq

Tawtheeq is Abu Dhabi's official tenancy contract registration system — the emirate's counterpart to Dubai's Ejari. All residential and commercial lease agreements in Abu Dhabi must be registered in Tawtheeq, which is administered by the municipal authorities. Registration produces an attested tenancy contract that government bodies treat as the authoritative record of the lease. You will meet Tawtheeq when connecting ADDC electricity and water, sponsoring residence visas for family members, registering a company at leased premises, or filing a rental dispute in Abu Dhabi — an unregistered lease can block all of these. Landlords and property management companies typically hold the Tawtheeq account and complete registration, with fees commonly passed on as agreed in the lease. For tenants moving between emirates, the practical rule of thumb is simple: Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi — same function, different system and authority.