Dubai rent increases capped by Decree 43 based on Smart Rental Index comparison

Dubai law sets clear rules on when a landlord can increase rent and how much they can increase it. A landlord can propose a rent increase when a tenancy contract is renewed, but the increase must comply with Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013. The permitted increase depends on the Dubai Smart Rental Index, which compares your current rent against the average market rent for a similar unit. If your current rent is already close to the market average, no increase may be allowed. The landlord must also give written notice of any proposed increase at least 90 days before the tenancy expires, unless the tenancy agreement provides otherwise. The Smart Rental Index, launched by the Dubai Land Department in January 2025, now pulls live transaction data from registered Ejari contracts and assesses buildings individually using a star rating that reflects the building's quality, age, maintenance, and facilities. Tenants can check their position free using the Dubai REST app or the rental index service on the Dubai Land Department website. If a landlord demands more than the law allows, tenants can refuse the excess amount, file at the Rental Disputes Centre with the official index result, or seek legal advice. The filing fee is 3.5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000.