Abu Dhabi freezes residential and commercial rent increases at 0% — all tenants and landlords — effective immediately
Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Adrec) has frozen the annual rental increase cap at 0% for residential, commercial, and industrial properties, effective immediately and until further notice. The freeze applies only to contracts renewed or registered after the announcement on 2 June; earlier renewals are not affected.
The analysis — automated & source-checked
- Applies to
- Real estate · UAE
- What to do
- If renewing a lease, ensure your new contract reflects zero increase from your last registered Tawtheeq value. If offered a unit, request the most recent registered contract to verify the reference price. Report any landlord attempt to raise rent to Adrec via adrec.gov.ae or customer service.
Adrec confirmed the freeze does not apply retrospectively—contracts renewed before the announcement retain their original terms. For new tenants moving into previously rented units, the reference price is the most recent registered Tawtheeq contract value for that property. Landlords cannot increase rent during the freeze period. Adrec has not set an end date; the measure remains in effect until further notice. Tenants can report violations via adrec.gov.ae, customer service, or official email.
Source
“Abu Dhabi announced a temporary reduction of its annual rental increase cap from 5 per cent to 0 per cent across residential, commercial and industrial properties, effective immediately and until further notice”
— Khaleej Times, 5 Jun 2026
Reported by: Khaleej Times 5 Jun 2026 Read the original ↗ More from Khaleej Times →
Quick answers
What do I need to do?
If renewing a lease, ensure your new contract reflects zero increase from your last registered Tawtheeq value. If offered a unit, request the most recent registered contract to verify the reference price. Report any landlord attempt to raise rent to Adrec via adrec.gov.ae or customer service.
Who reported this?
Khaleej Times (UAE).
When was it announced?
5 Jun 2026.
Where can I read the original?
Read the original at Khaleej Times: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/abu-dhabi-rent-freeze-guide
Subscribe — free
Get the next change before it's a deadline
The whole front, every morning. Free.