Rental & Lease

Ejari

Ejari: The mandatory Dubai government registration system for every rental contract.

What is Ejari?

Ejari (Arabic for "my rent") is the Dubai government online registration system for all residential and commercial tenancy contracts. Operated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), Ejari registration is legally mandatory — both landlords and tenants are required to register every signed lease. Registration fee is AED 220 (one-time per contract). The Ejari certificate is required for utility connections (DEWA), employment visa documentation, school enrollments, and many other transactions. For tenants, registration provides legal protection: without an Ejari-registered contract, the tenant cannot file a case at the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) if a dispute arises. Renewals and any contract amendments must also be re-registered. Ejari data feeds the official Dubai rental index, which sets the legal maximum rent increase a landlord can charge on contract renewal.

Example

After signing your tenancy contract, both you and your landlord must register the contract on Ejari (online or via approved typing centres). The certificate costs AED 220 and is required when you apply to connect DEWA electricity and water.

FAQ — Ejari

Who pays the Ejari registration fee?+

Convention varies. Many landlords pay it (the AED 220 is small relative to annual rent). Some buyers/tenants pay. The contract should specify. Most rental contracts in Dubai 2026 include "Ejari paid by landlord" by default.

Is Ejari valid in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah?+

No. Ejari is Dubai-only. Abu Dhabi uses Tawtheeq for tenancy registration; Sharjah has its own system. Each emirate maintains a distinct registration system.