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How to Use the RERA Rent Increase Calculator

Check whether your Dubai landlord's proposed rent increase is legal under Decree 43 of 2013 — takes less than a minute:

Enter your current annual rentInput the annual rent from your Ejari tenancy contract — the total annual figure, not the per-cheque amount.
Look up your RERA index valueVisit gateway.dubailand.gov.ae/RentalIndex and search by area, building, property type, and bedrooms to find the market average.
Add property and payment detailsSelect property type, bedrooms, and cheque count. Optionally enter your landlord's proposed new rent to compare against the legal limit.
Get your legal limit and dispute guidanceSee the maximum allowed increase, new rent per cheque and per month, and step-by-step dispute instructions if the proposal exceeds the legal cap.
Tip: Screenshot your results. Combined with a RERA index printout, this calculation is evidence you can present at the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre.

How Much Can My Landlord Increase Rent in Dubai?

Rent increases in Dubai are not at the landlord's discretion — they are strictly regulated by Decree No. 43 of 2013. This decree establishes fixed percentage caps based on where your current rent sits relative to the RERA market average. Having helped hundreds of tenants navigate rent disputes over the past decade in Dubai, the biggest problem I see is people accepting whatever increase their landlord proposes without checking the RERA index first.

What Are the Five Rent Cap Brackets?

Your Rent vs RERA AverageMax IncreaseWhat It Means
Within 10% of market0%No increase allowed — rent is near market rate
11–20% below market5%Small adjustment permitted
21–30% below market10%Moderate increase permitted
31–40% below market15%Significant increase — rent well below market
More than 40% below20%Maximum increase — rent substantially under market

If your rent is at or above the RERA average, the allowed increase is 0% — your landlord cannot raise it at all.

Worked Example

Situation: Sarah pays AED 55,000/year for a 1BR in Dubai Marina. The RERA index shows the market average is AED 75,000.

Calculation: AED 20,000 below market = 26.7% below average → falls in 21–30% bracket → maximum 10% increase.

Maximum new rent: AED 55,000 + 10% = AED 60,500/year (AED 5,042/month).

If her landlord proposes AED 65,000, that exceeds the cap by AED 4,500 — she can dispute it.

How Do I Find My RERA Index Value?

Visit the official portal at gateway.dubailand.gov.ae/RentalIndex. Enter your community or area name, building name (if applicable), property type, and number of bedrooms. The system returns the average annual rent for comparable properties. Use the exact building name where possible — rental values vary significantly between buildings in the same area. If your specific building is not listed, use the area average for your property type and bedroom count.

Important: The RERA index is updated periodically. Always check at the time of your contract renewal, not months in advance. The values at renewal time are what legally apply.

What Is the 90-Day Notice Requirement?

Even if the RERA index supports a rent increase, your landlord must provide written notice at least 90 days before the renewal date. Without proper notice, the tenancy automatically renews at the existing rent. This is one of the most commonly overlooked tenant protections in Dubai. Late notices — even if the proposed increase is within the legal cap — can be rejected entirely.

Common landlord tactic: WhatsApp messages or verbal notices sent weeks before renewal are not legally sufficient. Check your Ejari contract date and count back 90 days — if notice came after that cutoff, it is invalid.

What Are My Rights as a Tenant?

Dubai tenancy law (Law No. 26 of 2007, amended by Law No. 33 of 2008) provides strong protections. Your contract automatically renews at the same terms unless proper notice is given. Your landlord cannot evict you simply to rent at a higher rate — eviction requires specific legal grounds (demolition with municipality approval, personal use by landlord or first-degree relative, or tenant violation) plus 12 months notice via notary public. Mid-contract rent increases are never permitted.

How Do I Dispute an Illegal Rent Increase?

First, send a written objection to your landlord within 30 days citing Decree 43 and your RERA calculation. Many landlords accept the legal limit at this stage. If they insist, file with the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (RDSC) at rentaldisputes.com or call 800-4488. Filing fee is 3.5% of annual rent (min AED 500, max AED 20,000). Bring your Ejari, the landlord's notice, and RERA index printout.

How Can I Negotiate a Better Deal?

The percentage caps are maximums, not mandatory increases. Offering fewer cheques (1-2 instead of 4-6) gives landlords more cash upfront and often persuades them to accept a smaller increase. Committing to a longer lease (2 years instead of 1) also strengthens your position. Always negotiate from knowledge — when you show the RERA figure and exact Decree 43 bracket, the conversation shifts from what the landlord wants to what the law allows.

Pro Tip: If your rent is already above the RERA average, you have leverage to negotiate a decrease. Landlords cannot justify above-market rent when the index shows otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a landlord increase rent in Dubai?▼
Depends on the gap between your rent and RERA average. Within 10% = 0%. 11-20% below = max 5%. 21-30% = max 10%. 31-40% = max 15%. Over 40% below = max 20%. Based on Decree 43 of 2013.
What is the RERA Rental Index?▼
Official database by Dubai Land Department showing average rental values by area, building, property type, and bedrooms. The legal benchmark for rent increase calculations. Access at gateway.dubailand.gov.ae/RentalIndex.
Can my landlord increase rent without 90-day notice?▼
No. Written notice must arrive at least 90 days before renewal. Without it, the contract renews at existing rent automatically. Verbal and late notices are not binding.
What is Decree 43 of 2013?▼
A decree by the Ruler of Dubai creating five fixed percentage brackets (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) capping rent increases based on the gap between current rent and RERA market average. Still the governing regulation.
How do I dispute an illegal rent increase?▼
Send written objection to landlord first. If they insist, file with RDSC at rentaldisputes.com or 800-4488. Fee: 3.5% of annual rent (min AED 500, max AED 20,000). Bring Ejari, landlord notice, and RERA printout.
What is Ejari?▼
Dubai's official tenancy registration system. All contracts must be registered at ejari.ae. Required for disputes, DEWA connection, and visa processing.
Can a landlord evict me to raise rent?▼
No. Eviction only permitted for demolition (with municipality approval), personal use by landlord or first-degree relative, or tenant violation. 12 months notice via notary required.
Does this apply to all UAE emirates?▼
No — Decree 43 and RERA index are Dubai-specific. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates have separate tenancy laws.
How often can rent be increased?▼
Once per contract renewal only (typically annual). Mid-contract increases are never permitted. 90 days written notice required.

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