Published 31 May 2026 · Updated May 2026

RERA Rental Index Dubai: what it is and how it affects your decision to buy

By Fatima Al Rashid, Head of Mortgage Research · About the author · 8 min read

The RERA Rental Index is a database published by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (part of the Dubai Land Department) that records average registered rents by area, property type, and bedroom count. Under Dubai Law No. 33 of 2008 and Decree No. 43 of 2013, this index sets the legal maximum your landlord can increase your rent at renewal, based on how far your current rent sits below the market average for your area. If your rent is at or above 90% of the index figure, your landlord cannot legally raise it at all.

For anyone weighing whether to keep renting or take out a mortgage and buy, the RERA index is a critical input. It tells you what market rent is in your area and, by extension, whether your current rent is sheltered or exposed to increases. When Dubai rents rise sharply (as they have in much of the city since 2022), the index closes in on existing tenants' rents, making landlord-initiated increases more likely at each renewal. That trajectory is one of the clearest signals that the economics of buying are shifting.

How the RERA Rental Index works

The index records average annual registered rents for every major Dubai neighbourhood, broken down by property type (apartment or villa) and number of bedrooms. It is updated periodically by RERA based on actual Ejari registrations in the district. The most important number for any tenant is: what does the index say my type and size of property should rent for in my specific area?

Your landlord then compares your current rent to that figure. The permitted increase at renewal depends on the gap:

Source: Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013. These caps apply at each annual renewal. The landlord must give 90 days' written notice before the lease end date to implement any increase.

The 90 days' notice requirement is significant. If your landlord does not give you written notice of an increase at least 90 days before your lease ends, they cannot legally implement it at that renewal. Many tenants are unaware of this and accept increases without checking the notice timeline.

How to check the RERA index for your property

The easiest way is through the Dubai REST app, which is the official Dubai Land Department mobile app (available on iOS and Android). Select "RERA Rental Price Index", enter your area, property type, and number of bedrooms. The app shows the current registered average rent range for your property type and the maximum permitted increase bands.

You can also access the rental index calculator directly on the DLD website (dubailand.gov.ae). The Ejari portal also shows the registered rent history for properties with an active Ejari contract, so if you have an Ejari registration number you can confirm what rent is on record for your current tenancy.

What the RERA index reveals about the rent-vs-buy calculation

If your current rent is significantly below the RERA index, your landlord has the legal headroom to increase it at every renewal until they close the gap. In a rising rental market, that trajectory can be modelled. For example, if your current rent is 35% below the index, your landlord can increase it by up to 15% at the next renewal, 10% at the one after that, and so on until the gap closes. Over a 3 to 5 year period, a rent that felt comfortable can rise materially.

That trajectory is one of the strongest arguments for buying. A fixed-rate mortgage payment is locked for 2 to 3 years. If you choose Islamic finance at 3.25% or a conventional mortgage at 3.70% today, your payment is predictable for the fixed period. Your landlord's ability to increase your rent is constrained by the index, but the direction of travel is clear if rents are rising.

Here is a worked example comparing renting and buying a 2-bedroom apartment in a mid-range Dubai area:

Illustrative. Buying scenario uses annual equivalent of monthly mortgage payment (AED 7,292/mo at 3.25%). Year 5 reversion estimate uses EIBOR 3.69% + 1.25% = 4.94%. Rent scenario assumes RERA caps are applied at maximum permitted each year. Does not include purchase costs, maintenance, service charges, or opportunity cost of deposit. Always model your specific numbers using the mortgage calculator.

By year 4 in this scenario, the annual rent has risen above the fixed mortgage payment. By year 5, after mortgage rate reversion, the two are similar. If you include the equity accumulation from mortgage repayments, which represents a growing asset rather than an expense, the financial case for buying strengthens further.

This is not a universal conclusion. Buyers who plan to leave the UAE within 3 years, who cannot comfortably afford the deposit plus purchase costs, or whose rental discount below the index is small will find renting remains the better choice. But the RERA index is the right starting point for this analysis, because it tells you what your rent is likely to become, not just what it is today.

RERA index and the Dubai rental landscape in 2026

Dubai rents rose significantly between 2022 and 2024 across most areas, driven by strong population growth and limited new supply in established districts. Areas like Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Hills, Business Bay, and Al Quoz saw registered rents rise 30% to 60% between 2021 and 2024. Many long-standing tenants who renewed annually found themselves significantly below the index, meaning their landlords had maximum headroom to increase at each renewal.

By mid-2025 and into 2026, the pace of rent increases has moderated in many areas as new supply came to market, but rents in established freehold communities remain elevated relative to 2020 levels. The RERA index has updated to reflect those higher base rents. Tenants who are still below the new index figures remain exposed.

For anyone currently renting a Dubai property and considering whether to buy, checking the RERA index is step one. If your rent is 20% or more below the index, you should model the trajectory of permitted increases alongside a mortgage payment comparison before renewing your lease.

RERA index dispute process

If your landlord proposes a rent increase that you believe exceeds the RERA-permitted maximum, you can file a dispute with the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC), which is part of the Dubai Courts. The process is straightforward: submit your tenancy contract, the Ejari registration, the landlord's increase notice, and a screenshot of the RERA rental index showing the permitted cap. The RDC typically resolves straightforward rent dispute cases within 30 to 90 days. The filing fee is a nominal amount (typically AED 3,500 to AED 5,000 depending on the annual rent value), but in most cases where the landlord's proposed increase clearly exceeds the legal cap, disputes settle before reaching a hearing once the tenant cites the index.

Does the RERA Rental Index apply in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah?

The RERA Rental Index is specific to Dubai. Abu Dhabi operates under a separate rental regulation framework administered by the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, with different permitted increase caps (currently capped at 5% per year in Abu Dhabi). Sharjah has its own rental regulation system under the Sharjah Municipality, with different rules and enforcement. If you are renting in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, you should check with the relevant local authority for the applicable rules.

Tenants considering a move to Sharjah for the lower property prices should also note that the Sharjah rental market is not covered by the RERA index. However, Sharjah's rental increases are also regulated. See our Sharjah mortgage rates page for a full overview of buying in Sharjah.

Frequently asked questions

What is the RERA Rental Index?

The RERA Rental Index is a database published by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) of the Dubai Land Department. It records average registered annual rents by area, property type, and number of bedrooms. Under Dubai law, it determines the maximum rent increase a landlord can charge at each renewal, based on how far your current rent sits below the index average.

How do I check the RERA index for my area?

Use the Dubai REST app (official DLD app for iOS and Android) or the rental index calculator on the DLD website (dubailand.gov.ae). Enter your area, property type (apartment or villa), and number of bedrooms to see the registered average rent range and permitted increase bands.

Can my landlord increase my rent by more than RERA allows?

No, not legally. The maximum permitted increase is set by Decree No. 43 of 2013 and depends on how far your rent is below the RERA index: 0% if within 10% of the index, 5% if 11 to 20% below, 10% if 21 to 30% below, 15% if 31 to 40% below, and 20% if more than 40% below. The landlord must also give 90 days' written notice before the lease end date.

What happens if I disagree with my landlord's proposed increase?

File a dispute with the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) within the Dubai Courts. Submit your tenancy contract, Ejari registration, the increase notice, and the RERA index screenshot showing the permitted cap. Most cases are resolved within 30 to 90 days, and many settle when the landlord is shown the legal limit.

How does the RERA index relate to whether I should buy a property?

If your rent is significantly below the RERA index, your landlord can close that gap over successive renewals. Modelling that trajectory alongside a mortgage payment at current rates (from 3.25% Islamic, 3.70% conventional) often reveals that buying becomes financially comparable or cheaper within 3 to 5 years, particularly after including the equity built through mortgage repayments. Use the eligibility checker and mortgage calculator to model your specific numbers.