Dubai Rent Increase Rules (RERA)
In Dubai, how much a landlord can raise the rent at renewal is capped by Decree No. 43 of 2013, based on how far your current rent sits below the average for comparable units. The benchmark is now the Dubai Land Department Smart Rental Index. If your rent is within 10% of the average, no increase is allowed; the maximum of 20% applies only when your rent is more than 40% below the average. Any increase also needs at least 90 days written notice before the contract expires.
- Decree 43 of 2013 caps
- DLD Smart Rental Index benchmark
- 90-day notice required
- Free legal-increase checker
The Decree 43 rent increase brackets
The permitted increase steps up with the gap between your current rent and the market average for a similar unit. The bands are fixed by law:
| How far your rent is below the average | Maximum legal increase |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% below | No increase |
| 11% to 20% below | 5% |
| 21% to 30% below | 10% |
| 31% to 40% below | 15% |
| More than 40% below | 20% |
The 20% figure is the absolute ceiling, even if your rent is far below the market. Check your own maximum with the Rent Increase Checker.
The Smart Rental Index
The average used in the calculation comes from the Dubai Land Department rental index. Since early 2025 this is the Smart Rental Index, which is more granular than the old calculator: it rates individual buildings on a quality scale that considers age, facilities, maintenance and location, so the comparable rent reflects your building, not just the area. The legal brackets under Decree 43 are unchanged; the Smart Rental Index simply sets a more accurate benchmark for the comparison.
The 90-day notice
Even when an increase is allowed, the landlord must give at least 90 days written notice before the contract expires, under Article 14 of Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008. An increase proposed later than that, or above the Decree 43 cap, does not meet the requirements. The Tenancy Renewal Notice Generator produces a notice that follows the rule.
How to check if a rent increase is legal
Compare your current annual rent with the average for a comparable unit on the official Dubai Land Department rental index, work out how far below the average you are, then apply the bracket above. The Rent Increase Checker does this for you and shows the maximum new rent. If a proposed increase is above the cap or lacks the 90-day notice, you can raise it with the Rental Dispute Center.
Frequently asked questions
How much can my landlord increase my rent in Dubai?
It depends on how far your rent is below the market average under Decree 43 of 2013: no increase within 10%, 5% at 11 to 20% below, 10% at 21 to 30%, 15% at 31 to 40%, and 20% above 40%. The maximum is 20%.
What is the Smart Rental Index?
The Smart Rental Index is the Dubai Land Department benchmark, launched in early 2025, that rates buildings on a quality scale so the comparable rent reflects your specific building. It sets the average used in the Decree 43 calculation.
How much notice must a landlord give for a rent increase?
At least 90 days written notice before the contract expires, under Article 14 of Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008.
What can I do if my rent increase is not legal?
If an increase is above the Decree 43 cap or lacks the 90-day notice, you can dispute it with the Rental Dispute Center in Dubai. Keep the notice and your contract as evidence.
Official reference: Dubai Land Department.
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