RERA Rent Increase Calculator for Dubai
Your landlord can only raise the rent at renewal if your rent is more than 10% below the RERA Rental Index average for similar homes, and by no more than 20%. Enter your rent, the average from the official DLD Rental Index and your contract end date to see the most your rent can go up and the last day your landlord can tell you.
The yearly rent on your current Ejari contract.
Look it up on the DLD Rental Index (steps below). We do not estimate it.
The last day of your current contract (the expiry date on your Ejari). The renewed term starts the next day.
5%
AED 4,250 a year. New rent at most AED 89,250.
Your rent is 15% below the average. Band: more than 10% and up to 20% below.
Thursday, 17 December 2026
60 days from today. 90 days before your contract ends on Wednesday, 17 March 2027.
What this means for you
- Your rent is 15% below the index average, so your landlord can raise it by up to 5%: AED 4,250 a year, to at most AED 89,250.
- This is a maximum. Your landlord can ask for less, and you can negotiate.
- To change the rent or any other term, your landlord must tell you by Thursday, 17 December 2026 (60 days from today), unless your contract sets a different notice period.
- If you and your landlord cannot agree, either of you can go to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre, which can set a fair rent using the RERA criteria.
DLD's own Rental Index result is the official figure. If it differs from ours, rely on DLD.
How to find your RERA average rent
- Open the Rental Index service on dubailand.gov.ae, or the Rental Index service in the Dubai REST app.
- Enter your contract expiry date, the property type, the area, the number of rooms and your current annual rent.
- Copy the average rent for similar units into the second box above.
We have no access to the index data, so we never look up or guess the average for you.
RERA rent increase bands (Decree 43 of 2013)
| Your rent compared with the index average | Maximum increase |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% below the average (or above it) | No increase |
| More than 10% and up to 20% below | 5% |
| More than 20% and up to 30% below | 10% |
| More than 30% and up to 40% below | 15% |
| More than 40% below | 20% |
- The increase is a share of your current rent, not of the average. At 5% on AED 80,000 the most you can be asked for is AED 4,000 more a year.
- Whole percentages: the decree writes the bands as "up to 10%", "11% to 20%" and so on, and does not say what happens between 10% and 11%. We treat anything above 10% as the 5% band, anything above 20% as the 10% band, and so on, which matches how the decree treats "more than 40%". If your rent is a fraction of a percent over a limit, check the DLD result.
- Notice: either side must notify the other of a change at least 90 days before the contract expires, unless the contract says otherwise (Article 14, Law 26 of 2007 as amended by Law 33 of 2008).
- Smart Rental Index (2025): the percentages are unchanged. DLD now sets the average by classifying each building, and says the new index applies to contracts renewed from 2025.
Worked examples
Index average AED 100,000 a year. Contract ends 31 December 2026, so the last notice day is 2 October 2026.
| Current rent | Below average | Max increase | Max new rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 95,000 | 5% | 0% (AED 0) | AED 95,000 |
| AED 90,000 | 10% | 0% (AED 0) | AED 90,000 |
| AED 89,900 | 10.1% | 5% (AED 4,495) | AED 94,395 |
| AED 75,000 | 25% | 10% (AED 7,500) | AED 82,500 |
| AED 65,000 | 35% | 15% (AED 9,750) | AED 74,750 |
| AED 55,000 | 45% | 20% (AED 11,000) | AED 66,000 |
Dubai only. These rules come from Dubai law and the RERA index. Abu Dhabi and the other emirates have their own rules (see our Abu Dhabi rental index guide). The decree names Dubai free zones and DIFC, but DLD says its Smart Rental Index does not cover DIFC, so DIFC tenants should check with the DIFC authorities.
RERA rent increase FAQ
How much can my landlord increase my rent in Dubai?
Under Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013, the most a landlord can add at renewal depends on how far your rent is below the RERA Rental Index average for similar units: nothing if it is up to 10% below, 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 increase is a percentage of your current rent.
How does the RERA rent calculator work?
You need two figures: your current annual rent and the average annual rent for similar units from the DLD Rental Index. The calculator works out how far below the average you are, finds the band in Decree 43/2013 and applies that band's maximum increase to your rent. It also counts 90 days back from your contract end date to give the notice deadline.
Where do I find the RERA rental index average for my flat?
Use the Rental Index service on dubailand.gov.ae or in the Dubai REST app. Enter your contract expiry date, property type, area, number of rooms and current annual rent. The result shows the average rent for similar units, which you can copy into this calculator.
How much notice must my landlord give for a rent increase?
At least 90 days before your contract expires, unless your contract says otherwise. This comes from Article 14 of Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008. The Dubai Land Department says that if the landlord does not notify you at least 90 days before expiry, the increase is not applied.
Did the 2025 Smart Rental Index change the rent increase percentages?
No. The Dubai Land Department launched the Smart Rental Index on 2 January 2025 and says it applies the increase system of the 2013 decree, from 0% up to 20%. What changed is how the average rent is set: buildings are now classified individually, using criteria such as their technical features, finishing, location and services. DLD says the new index applies to contracts renewed from 2025.
Does the RERA rent increase rule apply in free zones and DIFC?
Decree 43/2013 says it applies to all landlords in Dubai, including special development areas and free zones such as DIFC. However, DLD says its Smart Rental Index covers free zones but not DIFC. If you rent in DIFC, check with the DIFC authorities which index applies to you.
Does this calculator work for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or the other emirates?
No. Decree 43/2013 and the RERA index apply in Dubai only. Abu Dhabi and each of the other emirates have their own tenancy laws and rent rules.
Can my landlord raise the rent in the middle of my contract?
The rules in Decree 43/2013 and Article 14 deal with changes at renewal. Changes to the rent or other terms are agreed or notified for the next term, at least 90 days before the current one ends.
What can I do if my landlord asks for more than the RERA calculator allows?
Show your landlord the DLD Rental Index result, which is the official figure. If you cannot agree, you can file a case with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre, which can set a fair rent taking into account the RERA criteria.
Last checked: October 2026
Sources we checked every figure against:
- Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013 Determining Rent Increase (Dubai Legislation Portal)
- Decree No. 43 of 2013 (Dubai Land Department PDF)
- Law No. 33 of 2008 amending Law No. 26 of 2007, Articles 13 and 14 (Dubai Legislation Portal)
- DLD, 2 January 2025: Dubai Land Department launches Smart Rental Index 2025
- DLD, 16 February 2025: The Smart Rent Index (90-day notice and which index applies)
- DLD Rental Index service
- DLD frequently asked questions (rental index coverage, notice)
This calculator applies the published rules to the figures you enter. It is not legal advice. The official result for your home comes from the DLD Rental Index, and disputes are decided by the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre.
Rent going up? See jobs that pay more
Check what your role pays in our UAE salary guide, then upload your CV and get matched to better-paid jobs in Dubai.