Dubai shared housing law requires permits; illegal partitions can trigger fines up to Dh1 million

Dubai Law No. (4) of 2026 establishes a regulatory framework for shared housing management, occupation and leasing. Properties cannot be divided into rooms or bed spaces without a permit. Only property owners or authorized management companies can legally operate shared accommodation; tenants are excluded from this chain and cannot divide apartments and rent rooms without authorization. Dubai Municipality determines maximum occupancy, space allocation and required facilities per unit. Fines range from Dh500 to Dh500,000 for violations; repeated violations within one year can double the fine to a maximum of Dh1 million. Penalties may fall on property owners, main tenants profiting from unauthorized divisions, or management companies that fail to monitor buildings or ignore safety standards. Tenants who partition without written landlord consent breach tenancy law and face eviction and restoration costs. Where a landlord discovers unauthorized partitioning, they can file an expert case in Dubai Courts, with court-appointed experts documenting occupancy details as evidence for eviction proceedings.