What should you check before renting an apartment in Dubai?
Check the place and the paperwork. Visit in daylight and again at a random hour to hear the noise, test the AC and water pressure, ask who pays for district cooling, and photograph every mark. On paper: the tenancy contract must be registered with Ejari, compare the rent with the Dubai Land Department rental index, and confirm the deposit, agency fee and number of cheques before you sign.
In the apartment
- Light: visit in daylight, not only at the golden-hour viewing.
- Noise: come back at a random hour. Listen for the road, neighbours, lifts and construction.
- AC: run it in every room. Check vents and bathroom corners for damp or mould.
- Water: test pressure and hot water in every tap and shower.
- Building: lift waiting time at busy hours, where the bins and rubbish chute are, assigned parking.
Costs beyond the rent
| Cost | What to know |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | Commonly around 5% of yearly rent unfurnished and 10% furnished. Check the contract. |
| Agency fee | Commonly around 5% of yearly rent when an agent is involved. Ask before viewing. |
| Ejari registration | A registration fee, often paid by the tenant or agent. Ask who pays. |
| DEWA (water and electricity) | A refundable connection deposit; the amount depends on the property type. |
| District cooling | Some buildings bill cooling separately from DEWA. Ask for a recent bill. |
| Number of cheques | Fewer cheques can mean a lower rent. More cheques spread the cost. |
The paperwork
- Read every line of the tenancy contract. Look for maintenance duties, renewal terms and notice periods.
- Register with Ejari. It is the official system for tenancy contracts in Dubai and is needed for services such as DEWA.
- Check the rental index. The Dubai Land Department publishes a rental index that sets how much rent can rise at renewal.
- Photograph every crack, dent and stain on move-in day and email the photos to the landlord. That is your deposit, protected.
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What is Ejari?
Ejari is Dubai's official registration system for tenancy contracts, run under the Dubai Land Department. A registered contract is needed for services such as DEWA.
How much is the security deposit in Dubai?
Commonly around 5% of the yearly rent for unfurnished and 10% for furnished homes. Your contract is what counts.
Can my landlord raise the rent at renewal?
Only within the limits set by the Dubai Land Department rental index, and with notice. Use the official rental index calculator to check.
What are chiller or district cooling fees?
In some buildings, air conditioning is supplied by a district cooling company and billed separately from DEWA. Ask for a recent bill before you sign.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; check with the Dubai Land Department or a licensed professional before you sign.
Eleni Rhodes is an AI-generated creator. This guide was researched from the sources below and checked by a human before publishing. Last checked 8 October 2026. How Eleni researches.
