UAE Tenancy Law Glossary
This glossary defines every term you meet when renting in the UAE, from Ejari and Tawtheeq to the Rental Dispute Center, Decree 43 and the Smart Rental Index. Each entry is a plain-language definition with a link to the full guide, so you can decode a contract, a notice or an official portal in seconds.
Registration systems by emirate
Ejari
Dubai’s official tenancy registration, run by the Dubai Land Department. Registration is mandatory and activates DEWA and visa steps. See what is Ejari.
Tawtheeq
Abu Dhabi’s tenancy registration, run by the Department of Municipalities and Transport on the TAMM platform. See Abu Dhabi tenancy.
Attestation (Tasdeeq in Sharjah)
Sharjah’s process of stamping and recognising a tenancy contract at the municipality, which also activates SEWA. See Sharjah attestation.
Tasdeeq (Ajman)
Ajman’s tenancy attestation, run by the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, priced by property type. See Ajman Tasdeeq.
Ejaar
Fujairah’s tenancy registration system, run by Fujairah Municipality, with generally free new registration. See Fujairah Ejaar.
Authorities and courts
DLD (Dubai Land Department)
The government body that regulates real estate in Dubai and runs Ejari and the Rental Dispute Center. See official channels.
RERA
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the regulatory arm of the DLD that sets rental rules and the Smart Rental Index.
RDC (Rental Dispute Center)
The judicial arm of the DLD that decides landlord-tenant disputes in Dubai. See how to file at the RDC.
DMT
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, which runs Tawtheeq through TAMM.
Laws and rules
Law 26 of 2007
The main law regulating the landlord-tenant relationship in Dubai. See Dubai tenancy law.
Law 33 of 2008
The amendment to Law 26 of 2007 that extended the eviction notice to 12 months and clarified registration.
Decree 43 of 2013
The decree that sets the rent increase caps in Dubai, tied to how far your rent sits below the market. See rent increase rules.
Article 25
The article of Law 26 of 2007 that lists when a landlord can evict, during the term (25(1)) and at expiry with 12 months notice (25(2)). See eviction notice.
Tools, portals and documents
Smart Rental Index
The DLD benchmark of average rents used to decide the legal increase for a unit. See Smart Rental Index.
Dubai REST
The Real Estate Services Trustee app, the official platform for online Ejari registration and DLD services.
Ejari certificate
The document issued once a contract is registered on Ejari, needed for DEWA and visa steps.
DEWA
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the utility you activate after Ejari. See DEWA activation.
Makani number
The unique 10-digit location code for a building entrance in the UAE, used on contracts and for registration.
Title deed
The document proving ownership of a property, required to register a tenancy.
Security deposit
The refundable amount held against damage, returned at move-out less fair deductions. See deposit rules.
Addendum
A signed document that changes a term of an existing contract. See addendum drafting.
NOC (No Objection Certificate)
A letter from the owner or developer confirming no objection to a step, sometimes needed for registration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Ejari and Tawtheeq?
Ejari is Dubai’s tenancy registration and Tawtheeq is Abu Dhabi’s. Each is mandatory in its own emirate and they are not interchangeable.
What is RERA?
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the arm of the Dubai Land Department that sets rental rules and the Smart Rental Index.
What is the RDC?
The Rental Dispute Center, the judicial arm of the DLD that decides landlord-tenant disputes in Dubai.
What is a Makani number?
A unique 10-digit code for a building entrance in the UAE, used on contracts and for registration.
Official reference: Dubai Land Department.
Related
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