Check whether your Dubai rent increase is legal. Enter your current annual rent and the average rent for similar units from the RERA Rental Index, and the calculator applies the bands in Article 1 of Decree No. 43 of 2013 to show the maximum increase in percent and in dirhams. Add your landlord’s offer and the notice date to see whether the offer is within the cap and the 90-day rule was met.
How the Maximum Rent Increase Is Worked Out
When a lease is renewed, Decree No. 43 of 2013 caps the increase according to how far your rent is below the average rental value of similar units (Decree 43, Article 1):
| Your rent compared with the average for similar units | Maximum increase at renewal |
|---|---|
| Up to 10% below (or at or above the average) | No increase |
| 11% to 20% below | 5% of your rent |
| 21% to 30% below | 10% of your rent |
| 31% to 40% below | 15% of your rent |
| More than 40% below | 20% of your rent |
- The average comes from the RERA Rent Index. Article 3 ties “average rental value of similar units” to the Rent Index approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency. Since January 2025 that is the Smart Rental Index, which rates each building, but the bands above have not changed.
- The cap is a percentage of your current rent, not of the market average.
- It is a maximum. A landlord can ask for less, or nothing.
- It applies across Dubai, including special development zones and free zones such as the DIFC (Article 2), but not in other emirates.
The Decree’s bands use whole percentages, so a gap such as 10.5% falls between two bands. The calculator places anything above 10% in the 5% band and flags it; the official DLD calculator is the figure that counts.
Worked Examples
| Current rent | Index average | Gap | Maximum increase | Maximum new rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 80,000 | AED 85,000 | 5.9% below | None | AED 80,000 |
| AED 80,000 | AED 100,000 | 20% below | 5% = AED 4,000 | AED 84,000 |
| AED 80,000 | AED 120,000 | 33.3% below | 15% = AED 12,000 | AED 92,000 |
| AED 60,000 | AED 110,000 | 45.5% below | 20% = AED 12,000 | AED 72,000 |
The 90-Day Notice Rule
Before a lease is renewed, the landlord and tenant may agree to change its terms, including increasing or reducing the rent. If they cannot agree, the Rental Disputes Center may set a fair rent (Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended, Article 13). Either party who wants to change the terms must tell the other at least 90 days before the contract expires, unless the contract says otherwise (Article 14). Add the expiry date and the date you received the notice to the calculator to check it.
How to Get the Official Figure
- Open the Rental Index service on the Dubai Land Department website, or the Dubai REST app.
- Enter the contract expiry date, the property type, the area, the number of rooms and your current annual rent.
- Read the average rent and the permitted increase, and take a dated screenshot to keep as evidence.
If your landlord asks for more than the cap or skipped the notice period, put the official result to them in writing first. If that fails, you can file with the Rental Disputes Center; its published fees start at 3.5% of the annual rent with a minimum of AED 500. Our full guide to the RERA rental increase rules in Dubai covers the Smart Rental Index, index changes between notice and renewal, and asking for a rent cut. See also RERA tenant rights in Dubai and the Rental Disputes Center complaint process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a landlord increase rent in Dubai?
It depends on how far your rent is below the RERA Rental Index average for similar units. Under Decree No. 43 of 2013 there is no increase if your rent is up to 10% below the average, 5% if it is 11% to 20% below, 10% if 21% to 30% below, 15% if 31% to 40% below, and a maximum of 20% if it is more than 40% below.
Is the increase a percentage of my rent or of the market average?
Of your current rent. The market average only decides which band you are in. For example, with a rent of AED 80,000 and a 5% cap, the maximum increase is AED 4,000.
How much notice must a Dubai landlord give to raise the rent?
At least 90 days before the tenancy contract expires, unless the contract says otherwise. Article 14 of Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, applies this to any change in the lease terms, including the rent.
Where do I find the average rent for my unit?
Use the Rental Index service on the Dubai Land Department website or in the Dubai REST app. You enter the contract expiry date, property type, area, number of rooms and your current rent, and it shows the average rent and the permitted increase.
Do the Decree 43 caps apply in Dubai free zones and the DIFC?
Yes. Article 2 of Decree No. 43 of 2013 applies it to all landlords in Dubai, private or public, including special development zones and free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre. It does not apply in other emirates.
Official Sources
- Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013 Determining Rent Increase for Real Property, Articles 1 to 3 (Dubai Legislation Portal)
- Law No. 33 of 2008 Amending Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants, Articles 13 and 14 (Dubai Legislation Portal)
- Dubai Land Department: Rental Index service
- Dubai Land Department: Dubai REST app
- Rental Disputes Center: Frequently Asked Questions and fees
Disclaimer: this calculator gives an estimate for general information only and is not legal advice. The average rent for your unit comes from the Dubai Land Department’s Rental Index, and the official DLD calculator result is the figure landlords, tenants and the Rental Disputes Center rely on. The Arabic text of the legislation prevails. Rules checked against the Dubai Legislation Portal on 4 October 2026.