Dubai rent increase calculator
Updated 15 October 2026
Your landlord can raise the rent by 0% to 20%. The exact limit depends on how far your rent is below the average for similar homes. Enter two numbers to see your limit.
Calculate your maximum increase
Find the average in the official DLD Rental Index.
The rule in one table
Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013 sets the limits. The percentage is of your current rent, not of the average.
| Your rent is below the average by | Maximum increase |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% | 0% |
| 11% to 20% | 5% |
| 21% to 30% | 10% |
| 31% to 40% | 15% |
| More than 40% | 20% |
The decree uses whole numbers. For a gap between two bands (for example 10.5%), this calculator uses the higher band. Check the official DLD calculator for your case.
Example
You pay AED 80,000 a year. The index says similar homes cost AED 100,000. Your rent is 20% below the average, so the limit is 5%. The maximum new rent is AED 84,000.
The 90-day rule
Your landlord must tell you about an increase at least 90 days before your contract ends. Without this notice, the increase does not apply at this renewal.
What the Smart Rental Index changed
Since 2 January 2025, the DLD calculates the average rent with registered Ejari contracts and a 1 to 5 star rating for each building. A better rating can mean a higher average, and a higher average can mean a higher allowed increase. The limits in the table did not change.
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Questions
- How much can my landlord raise the rent in Dubai?
- Between 0% and 20% of your current rent. It depends on how far your rent is below the average rent for similar homes in the Dubai Rental Index. If your rent is at most 10% below that average, your landlord cannot raise it.
- How much notice must the landlord give?
- At least 90 days before your contract ends, unless your contract says otherwise. Without this notice, the increase does not apply at this renewal (Law 26 of 2007, Article 14, and DLD, February 2025).
- Where do I find the average rent for my home?
- In the official Rental Index of the Dubai Land Department (DLD). You enter the area, the building and the type of home. The index uses registered Ejari contracts and a star rating for each building.
- Did the rules change with the Smart Rental Index?
- No. The Smart Rental Index (since 2 January 2025) only changes how the average rent is calculated. The increase limits in Decree 43 of 2013 are the same.
- Is this calculator official?
- No. It is an estimate based on Decree 43 of 2013. For a dispute, use the official DLD calculator and the Rental Dispute Centre.
Sources
- Decree No. 43 of 2013, Dubai Legislation Portal
- DLD Rental Index (official calculator)
- DLD: Smart Rental Index announcement, 2 Jan 2025
- DLD: 90-day notice and the Smart Rent Index, 16 Feb 2025
- Khaleej Times: 90-day notice, Law 26 of 2007 Article 14
Checked on 15 October 2026. Something wrong? Write to hello@theshway.com.