Rent out your property in Dubai with Union Square House

Start with a rental valuation so you know the realistic rent. You then appoint a RERA-licensed broker by signing a listing agreement (Form B), and the broker obtains a DLD advertising permit before marketing the property. Once a suitable tenant is found and checked, you sign a tenancy contract, collect the agreed cheques and security deposit, and register the contract on Ejari. Union Square House manages each of these steps for you.

It depends on the community, building, size, view, condition, furnishing and how many similar homes are available. The most reliable guide is recent registered leases for comparable properties, checked against the current listings competing for the same tenants. Request a free rental valuation and a Union Square House advisor will share a recommended rent and the evidence behind it.

Landlords usually pay a letting fee to their agent, and they remain responsible for service charges, building insurance and major maintenance. Ejari registration costs AED 100 plus VAT and small government fees, and is often handled as part of the letting. Tenants normally pay their own agency fee, the security deposit, DEWA deposit and the housing fee. Your advisor will confirm our letting fee and give you a full breakdown before you list.

Ejari is the Dubai Land Department system for registering tenancy contracts. Every residential lease in Dubai should be registered on Ejari, because it makes the contract official, lets the tenant connect DEWA and apply for residence visas for family members, and is needed if either party ever takes a dispute to the Rental Disputes Centre. Registration costs AED 100 plus VAT, plus AED 10 innovation and AED 10 knowledge fees.

Rent increases in Dubai are linked to the RERA rental index, now the Smart Rental Index launched by the Dubai Land Department in January 2025. Under Decree No. 43 of 2013, no increase is allowed if the current rent is up to 10% below the index, 5% if it is 11 to 20% below, 10% if 21 to 30% below, 15% if 31 to 40% below and 20% if more than 40% below. You must also give the tenant written notice at least 90 days before the tenancy expires.

Only for specific legal reasons, such as selling the property, moving in yourself or with a first-degree relative, major renovation that needs the property empty, or demolition. You must give the tenant 12 months' notice through a notary public or by registered mail before the tenancy ends. Email or WhatsApp alone is not enough. Because the rules are strict, it is worth taking advice before serving any notice.

In Dubai, the security deposit is typically 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished property and 10% for a furnished one. It is held for the length of the tenancy and returned at the end, less the cost of any documented damage beyond normal wear and tear. The amount and the conditions should be written into the tenancy contract.

Rent is usually paid by post-dated cheques for the year, commonly in one, two, four or more instalments, although bank transfers and online payments are increasingly common. Fewer cheques generally means a lower rent can be agreed, while more cheques may attract a slightly higher rent. Your advisor will advise on the right balance for your property and tenant.

Yes. Many of our landlords live outside the UAE. We handle viewings, tenant checks, the contract and Ejari, and rent can be paid into your UAE or overseas bank account. If documents need to be signed in person, a power of attorney can allow someone you trust to sign for you.

Leasing only covers finding and signing a tenant: pricing, marketing, viewings, checks, the contract and Ejari. Property management continues after the tenant moves in, with rent collection, maintenance, inspections and renewals handled for you. Leasing only suits landlords who live in Dubai and are happy to deal with the tenant directly; property management suits overseas owners and investors who want a hands-off income.

Yes, but short-term holiday lets in Dubai need a holiday home permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism, and the building or community must allow them. Holiday homes can earn more in peak months but involve more management, cleaning and vacancy risk than a long-term tenancy. Your advisor can help you compare both options for your property.

It depends on your goals. Renting out gives you regular income and keeps you invested in future price growth, while selling releases your capital now. Compare the rent your property can achieve, your service charges and mortgage costs with its current sale value. A Union Square House advisor can give you both a rental valuation and a sale valuation so you can decide.