UAE TENANT TOOLS · FREE
How much can my landlord actually raise the rent?
Dubai's RERA Decree No. 43 of 2013 caps every increase based on how far you sit below the market index. Enter two numbers — get the legal maximum in seconds.
The brackets
Decree No. 43 of 2013 — the law
| Your rent vs market | Max legal increase |
|---|---|
| At or above market | 0% |
| ≤ 10% below market | 0% |
| 11–20% below market | 5% |
| 21–30% below market | 10% |
| 31–40% below market | 15% |
| Over 40% below market | 20% |
'Market rent' is the RERA Rental Index value for an equivalent unit (same community, same property type, same bedroom count) — not what a single neighbour told your landlord they're paying. Pull your unit's RERA index value from the Dubai REST app before negotiating.
Got a notice?
Next steps if the increase is illegal
- 1. Document everything. Keep the increase notice, your tenancy contract, your Ejari certificate, and a screenshot of the RERA index value for your unit.
- 2. Respond in writing. Quote Decree No. 43 of 2013 and the legal maximum from this calculator. Most landlords back down once they see the gap is within the protected bracket.
- 3. File with the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). If the landlord refuses to comply, you can file a case at the Dubai Land Department's RDC. Online filing is available; the fee is 3.5% of the annual rent, capped at AED 20,000.
Renewing this year? Compare what your current building is renting at right now — Propora's listing data is live.
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