๐ข Dubai RERA Rent Index Calculator 2026
Check If Your Landlord Can Legally Increase Your Rent
๐ Understanding the RERA Rent Index
The Dubai RERA Rent Index calculator helps tenants and landlords determine the maximum legal rent increase allowed under Dubai's Decree No. 43 of 2013. RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) under the Dubai Land Department sets official rental caps based on how your current rent compares to market averages in 2026.
Who needs this calculator? Tenants facing rent increase notices, landlords planning renewals, property managers, and real estate agents. Benefit: Know your exact rights before negotiationsโif your rent is within 10% of market rate, your landlord legally cannot increase it at all!
๐ How to Use the Dubai RERA Rent Calculator
- Enter your current annual rent โ Find your yearly rent amount from your Ejari tenancy contract. Enter the total annual amount in AED, not the monthly payment.
- Look up the average market rent โ Visit the Dubai Land Department RERA Rental Index, enter your building/area details, and note the average market rent for comparable properties.
- Select your property type and bedrooms โ Choose whether it's an apartment, villa, or commercial property, and specify the number of bedrooms to ensure accurate comparison.
- Choose your area/community โ Select the Dubai community where your property is located. Different areas have different market averages.
- Click Calculate โ View your maximum allowable rent increase percentage, the exact AED amount your landlord can legally charge, and whether any increase is permitted at all.
๐ RERA Rent Increase Formula & Calculation Method
Step 1: Calculate Percentage Below Market
Example: If market rent is AED 80,000 and current rent is AED 60,000: ((80,000 โ 60,000) รท 80,000) ร 100 = 25% below market. This percentage determines which RERA band applies.
Step 2: Determine Maximum Increase (RERA Bands)
Key Rule: If your rent is within 10% of market average, your landlord cannot increase rent at all under Decree No. 43 of 2013. The maximum possible increase is 20%, only if you're paying 40%+ below market.
Step 3: Calculate Maximum New Rent
Example: Current rent AED 60,000 with 10% max increase: 60,000 ร (1 + 10 รท 100) = 60,000 ร 1.10 = AED 66,000/year. The landlord cannot legally charge more than this amount.
๐ Dubai RERA Rent Increase Examples
Example 1: No Increase Allowed โ JBR 1BR Apartment
Scenario: Ahmed rents a 1-bedroom apartment in JBR for AED 75,000/year. The RERA Rental Index shows market average is AED 80,000.
- Current Rent: AED 75,000/year
- Market Average: AED 80,000/year
- % Below Market: ((80,000 โ 75,000) รท 80,000) ร 100 = 6.25%
- RERA Band: Less than 10% below market
Result: ๐ซ NO INCREASE ALLOWED โ Ahmed's rent is within 10% of market rate. His landlord cannot legally raise the rent this year.
Example 2: 10% Increase Allowed โ Business Bay 2BR
Scenario: Fatima rents a 2-bedroom apartment in Business Bay for AED 70,000/year. Market average for similar units is AED 95,000.
- Current Rent: AED 70,000/year
- Market Average: AED 95,000/year
- % Below Market: ((95,000 โ 70,000) รท 95,000) ร 100 = 26.3%
- RERA Band: 20-29% below market โ Max 10% increase
- Max New Rent: 70,000 ร 1.10 = AED 77,000/year
Result: โ MAX 10% INCREASE (AED 7,000/year) โ Fatima's landlord can increase rent to AED 77,000, but not to full market rate.
Example 3: Maximum 20% Increase โ Discovery Gardens Studio
Scenario: Carlos has been renting a studio in Discovery Gardens for AED 22,000/year since 2019. Market average is now AED 42,000.
- Current Rent: AED 22,000/year
- Market Average: AED 42,000/year
- % Below Market: ((42,000 โ 22,000) รท 42,000) ร 100 = 47.6%
- RERA Band: 40%+ below market โ Max 20% increase
- Max New Rent: 22,000 ร 1.20 = AED 26,400/year
Result: โ MAX 20% INCREASE (AED 4,400/year) โ Even though Carlos is 47% below market, the landlord can only increase by 20% annually. It will take multiple years to reach market rate.
๐ RERA Rent Increase Bands Reference Table 2026
| Current Rent vs Market | Max Increase | Example (AED 60,000 rent) | New Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 10% below market | 0% - No increase | AED 60,000 stays same | AED 5,000/mo |
| 10% to 19% below market | 5% increase | AED 60,000 โ 63,000 | AED 5,250/mo |
| 20% to 29% below market | 10% increase | AED 60,000 โ 66,000 | AED 5,500/mo |
| 30% to 39% below market | 15% increase | AED 60,000 โ 69,000 | AED 5,750/mo |
| 40% or more below market | 20% increase | AED 60,000 โ 72,000 | AED 6,000/mo |
Source: Dubai Land Department, Decree No. 43 of 2013. These bands apply to all residential and commercial properties in Dubai.
๐ก Important Tips for Dubai Tenants
- 90-day notice is mandatory: Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, landlords must provide written rent increase notice at least 90 days before contract expiry. Without proper notice, the contract renews at the same rent.
- Use the official RERA Index: Only the Dubai Land Department's Rental Index is legally valid. Third-party property websites are not considered official evidence in disputes.
- Keep your Ejari updated: Your Ejari registration is crucial proof of your tenancy terms. Ensure it's registered within 60 days of signing your contract.
- Negotiate before disputing: Filing with RDSC costs 2.5% of annual rent (min AED 500). Try negotiating with your landlord firstโmany will accept a smaller increase to avoid legal costs.
- Check multiple similar units: The RERA Index shows averages. If your landlord claims higher market rent, ask for evidence from the official index, not listing prices.
- Document everything: Save all communications, RERA index screenshots, and rent receipts. These are essential if you need to file a dispute.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
No. If your current rent is within 10% of the RERA Rental Index average for your property type and area, your landlord cannot legally increase the rent. This is the most important protection under Decree No. 43 of 2013. Many tenants don't realize they're protected from increases.
Without proper 90-day advance written notice, your tenancy contract automatically renews at the same rent amount. The landlord cannot impose any increase mid-lease or without the required notice period. This applies to all rent increases, not just those exceeding RERA limits.
The official RERA Rental Index is available at dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/rental-index/. Enter your property type, area, building name, and number of bedrooms. The system displays the average market rent for comparable units. Only this official source is accepted in rental disputes.
The absolute maximum rent increase is 20% per year, and this only applies if your current rent is 40% or more below market average. Most tenants see smaller increases (5-15%) or no increase at all if they're paying close to market rate. These caps apply to residential and commercial properties.
File your case at the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) at dc.gov.ae. You'll need your Ejari certificate, tenancy contract, rent receipts, and RERA index evidence. The filing fee is 2.5% of annual rent (minimum AED 500). Cases are typically resolved within 30 days.
Yes. The RERA Rental Index and rent increase caps under Decree No. 43 of 2013 apply to all property types in Dubai including residential apartments, villas, offices, retail shops, and industrial warehouses. The same percentage bands (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) apply universally.
This calculator uses the exact RERA band thresholds from Decree No. 43 of 2013, so the percentage calculations are 100% accurate. However, the market rent figure you enter must come from the official Dubai Land Department Rental Index for your specific property to get legally valid results.
๐ Related Calculators
๐ Official UAE Resources
- Dubai Land Department - RERA Rental Index
- Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC)
- Dubai Land Department Official Website
- UAE Government - Renting a Property
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on RERA Decree No. 43 of 2013 guidelines. For official rulings, always use the Dubai Land Department's Rental Index and consult the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre for legal matters.
Last updated: January 2026 | Created by Omnicalculator.space
