August 4, 2025
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Renewing your tenancy contract in Dubai means updating your existing documents (Unified Tenancy Contract and Addendum) for the upcoming rental period. The process may feel confusing or unnecessarily complicated for both tenants and landlords. But in reality, renewal is straightforward once you know the steps. Whether you're a landlord or a tenant in Dubai, this guide will help you understand how to renew a rental contract in 2025 and what to expect at each stage.
All other original terms typically remain unchanged.
Landlord and tenant must clearly communicate their intentions regarding renewal or any proposed changes at least 90 days before the current tenancy expires.
Landlords are typically the ones initiating renewal with updated terms (rent amount, payment method etc). Notice should be sent via email or other written form and include any changes proposed.
Knowing your rights gives everyone a strong position in any negotiation.
For Landlords:
If you plan to increase rent, you must notify the tenant at least 90 days before the lease ends. Use the official RERA Rental Index Calculator to ensure the increase is within legal limits.
For Tenants:
If you receive a proposed increase, Verify any rent change against RERA rent calculator Dubai legal limits. If the new rent doesn’t align with the legal limits or feels unreasonable, discuss it directly with your landlord.
Draft updated tenancy documents, typically including:
There are three common options to cover this step:
Both landlord and tenant sign the updated tenancy documents. Although the signature can be done digitally, it is usually done in person with the agent or property management company who is intermediating the leasing or directly with the landlord.
Ejari renewal is mandatory to validate the tenancy.
Register the updated tenancy agreement with Ejari. This can be done in the following ways:
Tenant provides updated rental cheques or arranges other agreed payment methods. Typically, this is done when signing the renewal documents.
Dubai rental law clearly favors tenants regarding renewal rights.
1. Tenants have the automatic right to renew unless Landlord gave 12 months’ legal notice for:
2. Any changes (rent, terms) must be communicated 90 days before expiry.
3. If landlord misses the 90-day notice, contract renews automatically under existing terms.
4. Tenants can:
Renewal fees typically range between AED 1,000 and AED 1,500, excluding the Ejari registration fee (approximately AED 220).
These fees are usually charged by property management companies or real estate agents to compensate for facilitating negotiations, preparing tenancy documents, arranging contract execution, and handling payment collections. The Ejari registration fee is always paid separately.
However, charging a renewal fee is not mandatory - it is something the landlord and tenant can decide on, even if it is mentioned in the initial tenancy contract. Renewal fee can be avoided when both parties agree to handle the renewal directly, without involving third parties.
If you still have questions after reading this guide, you can refer to Dubai’s official rental laws — Law No. 26 of 2007 and Law No. 33 of 2008 — which outline the legal framework for tenancy renewals in detail.
If disagreements arise — on rent, contract terms, or notice period — either party can file a case with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center (RDSC). You can contact them via email, phone, or in person.
Habi is the easiest legal option for tenancy renewal in Dubai in 2025. Whether you're a landlord or tenant, you can take full control of the process — with clarity, compliance, and peace of mind.
