How to renew a tenancy contract in Dubai
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source for your emirate before you act.
If you want to renew on the same terms, you can do it quickly. If you want to change the rent or any other term, you must give written notice at least 90 days before expiry. Dubai law renews a lease on the same terms when the tenant stays and neither side objected, but you still need to renew the Ejari registration and update your records.
Steps when you are changing the rent or terms
- About four months before expiry, check the end date and count back 90 days.
- Check the rent against the DLD rental index (see the Dubai rent increase page for the bands).
- Send written notice of the proposed changes before the 90-day point. Use notary public or registered mail so you have proof.
- Agree the new terms with the tenant and sign the new contract.
- Renew the Ejari registration for the new term.
- Record the new cheques or payment plan, the new dates and the new rent.
Steps when nothing is changing
- Confirm with the tenant that they are staying.
- Renew the Ejari registration for the new term.
- Collect the new cheques and record them.
What happens if nobody does anything
If neither side gave notice and the tenant stays, the contract continues on the old terms. Any increase you wanted waits until the next renewal, so missing the 90-day point costs you a year of the higher rent.
Documents to have ready
- The current contract and Ejari details.
- The tenant's Emirates ID and visa, checked for validity beyond the new term.
- Your ownership document and identification.
How DOSH helps
DOSH extracts the dates from your contract and warns you before the 90-day window closes. It flags tenant documents, such as an Emirates ID or visa, that expire before the new term ends, and tracks the new post-dated cheques once you enter them.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start?
At least four months before expiry. That leaves time to give notice before the 90-day point.
Do I need to sign a new contract if nothing changes?
The Ejari registration still needs renewing, and it is better to have the renewal in writing, signed by both sides.
What if the tenant wants to leave?
Check the lease terms for the tenant's notice and what happens if they leave early. A tenant who leaves without proper notice can still be held to a renewed lease.