Rent property in Dubai
Rent in Dubai without the surprises.
Apartments, villas and townhouses to rent across Dubai. Tell us how you live and what you want to spend — we come back with homes that fit, the fair rent for each building and every cost of moving in.
Browse by type
Find the right kind of home.
Apartments
The widest choice to rent, close to the Metro, offices and the beach.
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Villas
Gardens, private pools and space for the family in gated communities.
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Townhouses
More room than an apartment, with community pools, parks and schools nearby.
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Studios & 1-beds
Good-value homes for professionals and couples in well-connected areas.
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Furnished homes
Move in with a suitcase — fully furnished apartments and villas.
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Luxury rentals
Beachfront, Palm and skyline homes with the service to match.
Send me options →Where your rent goes
What your budget rents, area by area.
Yearly rents below are a realistic starting point. Rents have softened in 2026, so there is more room to negotiate than last year.
Studios and 1-beds
Well-priced homes in newer communities with good road links and growing amenities.
Get homes in this budget →1-beds in the centre, 2-beds in the suburbs
A 1-bed near the Marina, Business Bay or JLT, or a larger 2-bed in a family community.
Get homes in this budget →Family apartments and townhouses
2- and 3-bed apartments with views, or a townhouse with a garden near good schools.
Get homes in this budget →Villas and prime waterfront
Family villas, beachfront apartments and Palm homes at Dubai’s best addresses.
Get homes in this budget →Know the fair rent
Average 1-bedroom rents right now.
| Community | 1-bed rent / year | Per month (approx.) | Read the guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | AED 107,800 | AED 8,980 | Downtown guide → |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | AED 93,000 | AED 7,750 | Creek Harbour guide → |
| Dubai Marina | AED 89,200 | AED 7,430 | Marina guide → |
| Business Bay | AED 86,800 | AED 7,230 | Business Bay guide → |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | AED 67,400 | AED 5,620 | JVC guide → |
| Dubai South | AED 58,900 | AED 4,910 | Dubai South guide → |
Average annual asking rents, Q3 2026. Rents in individual buildings vary with view, floor and furnishing — we check the recent Ejari-registered rents in the building before you sign. Read the market report →
The full cost
What it really costs to move in.
Rent is only part of the first payment. Enter the yearly rent to see the one-time costs and the first-year housing fee.
| Due before you get the keys | — |
Approximate figures for planning. The DEWA deposit and security deposit are refundable when you leave. The Dubai Municipality housing fee (5% of yearly rent) is added to your monthly DEWA bill. Some buildings also charge move-in fees or district cooling deposits.
How renting works
From first call to keys in hand.
Most rentals complete within one to two weeks. Here is each step — and where tenants most often lose money.
- 01
Your brief
Areas, budget, bedrooms, move-in date and how many cheques you can give.
We shortlist homes that fitWhere tenants lose money: Searching without a clear budget for deposits and fees on top of the rent.
- 02
Viewings
Homes that fit, with the fair rent for each building. View in person or on a video call.
We check the fair rentWhere tenants lose money: Agreeing to a rent well above recent Ejari-registered rents in the building.
- 03
Offer & contract
We negotiate rent, cheques and terms, then you sign the tenancy contract and pay the deposit and fees.
We negotiate and review the contractWhere tenants lose money: Vague clauses on maintenance, early exit or what the rent includes.
- 04
Ejari & DEWA
The contract is registered with Ejari and DEWA is connected in your name.
We register Ejari for youWhere tenants lose money: An unregistered contract — without Ejari you cannot connect DEWA or take a dispute further.
- 05
Check-in & keys
A check-in inspection with photos, then you collect the keys and access cards.
We do the check-in report with youWhere tenants lose money: No check-in report — and deductions from your deposit when you leave.
Renting is quick. Getting the right contract matters.
The rent, the cheques, the clauses and the condition report decide how your year goes — and whether your deposit comes back. An Arabzone advisor negotiates for you, checks every document and stays your contact until you move in.
- RERA-registered brokerage
- Fair rent checked against Ejari data
- One advisor from first call to keys
Your rights as a tenant
The rules that protect you.
Dubai tenancies are governed by Dubai Law 26 of 2007 and RERA rules. A few essentials every tenant should know:
Before you sign
What we check for you.
- The landlord is the owner — or holds a valid power of attorney to rent the home.
- The rent is fair — compared with recent Ejari-registered rents in the same building.
- What the rent includes — chiller, maintenance, parking spaces and furniture, in writing.
- Maintenance terms — who pays for what, and how quickly repairs are handled.
- The real condition — a check-in report with photos, so your deposit is protected when you leave.
- Clear exit terms — early termination penalties agreed before you sign, usually one to two months’ rent.
Own a home in Dubai?
Let us find you a tenant and look after everything else.
- We handle
- The fair rent, marketing, viewings, tenant checks, contract, Ejari, rent collection and maintenance.
Thinking of buying instead?
With rents and prices both easing, it is worth comparing.
- Compare
- Your yearly rent against a mortgage payment, service charges and buying costs for a similar home.
Questions
Renting in Dubai, answered.
What documents do I need to rent in Dubai?
A copy of your passport, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. If the company is renting, the trade licence and the signatory’s documents. Some landlords also ask for a salary certificate or bank statement.
How much deposit do I pay to rent?
Usually 5% of the yearly rent for an unfurnished home and 10% for a furnished one. It is refundable at the end of the tenancy, less the cost of any damage beyond normal wear and tear.
What are the total costs of moving in?
On top of the first rent cheque: the security deposit, agency fee (usually 5% of the yearly rent plus VAT), Ejari registration (about AED 220), a DEWA deposit (AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa) and a small connection fee. A 5% housing fee is then added to your monthly DEWA bill.
Can I pay rent monthly in Dubai?
Most landlords ask for 1 to 4 cheques a year. More cheques are increasingly possible, sometimes at a slightly higher rent. Paying in fewer cheques is one of the best ways to negotiate a lower rent.
Can my landlord increase the rent?
Only at renewal, with at least 90 days’ notice, and only within the limit set by the official DLD rental index for similar homes in the area.
Can I leave before the contract ends?
Only if the contract allows it. Most contracts include an early termination clause, typically one to two months’ rent with notice. We make sure this is agreed before you sign.
What is Ejari and why does it matter?
Ejari is Dubai’s official tenancy registration system. A registered contract is needed to connect DEWA, sponsor family visas and take any dispute to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre.
Are rents in Dubai going down in 2026?
Apartment rents have eased in 2026. Savills reported third-quarter rents about 10–13% lower than a year earlier in JVC, Dubai Marina and Business Bay, which gives tenants more choice and room to negotiate.
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