Dubai bans families and individuals from sharing housing units under new law

Dubai has introduced new rules governing shared accommodation under Law No. 4 of 2026, which came into force in August. The law bans families and individuals from living in the same residential unit and restricts shared housing to designated areas of the emirate. Owners and establishments have been given one year to bring existing properties into compliance.

Under the new rules, each shared residential unit must be allocated exclusively to either families or individuals. Bedrooms must provide at least five square metres of space per occupant, while a complete bathroom must be available for every four residents. In shared family accommodation, each family must have a separate bedroom with its own private bathroom.

Shared accommodation for individuals is barred on major roads with a tourism or commercial character, including Baniyas Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah Road and Al Wasl Road. Shared housing in those locations will be limited to families.

A building permit is required for shared accommodation, whether for new construction or modifications to existing buildings and villas being converted for shared housing. Applications must be submitted through the Dubai Building Platform by the engineering consultancy appointed by the owner.

The grace period for compliance does not cover building violations or unauthorised changes of use, which must be removed to protect lives and property. Shared accommodation is exempt from minimum car-parking requirements, but property owners must provide suitable areas for minibuses to pick up and drop off residents, subject to approval from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority.