A Dubai rental can go from "is it available?" to keys in a week — or drag on for a month because a document is missing. This checklist walks through the full process, with Ejari registration at the centre, so you can tell landlords and tenants exactly what's needed at each step.
General information for brokers, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change — confirm current requirements with the Dubai Land Department and the Dubai REST app.
Step 1: Before you advertise
- Marketing agreement with the landlord and a copy of the title deed.
- Trakheesi advertising permit and Madmoun QR code for the advert — see our Dubai property advertising permit guide.
- Agree the asking rent, number of cheques the landlord will accept, whether it's furnished, the availability date, and who pays for chiller or cooling fees.
- Check the rent against the RERA rental index if it's a renewal or the landlord is pushing the price — tenants increasingly check it too.
Step 2: Viewing to offer
Once a tenant likes the property, put the offer in writing — rent, number of cheques, start date and any requests (painting, appliances, parking). A short WhatsApp summary that both sides confirm prevents most later disputes.
Step 3: Documents
From the tenant (individual):
- Passport copy
- UAE residence visa copy
- Emirates ID copy
From the landlord:
- Title deed copy
- Passport or Emirates ID copy
- If represented, a power of attorney
For a company tenant, expect a trade licence copy and the signatory's documents as well.
Step 4: Money
Typical market practice (always confirm with the landlord and in the contract):
| Item | Common practice |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | Around 5% of the annual rent for unfurnished and 10% for furnished properties |
| Agency fee | Commonly 5% of the annual rent plus VAT |
| Rent cheques | Post-dated cheques — 1 to 4 is common, sometimes more by negotiation |
| Ejari fee | Paid at registration |
Give the tenant receipts for everything — the deposit, the agency fee and a list of the cheques handed over.
Step 5: The tenancy contract
Dubai uses the unified tenancy contract issued through DLD. It records the parties, property details, rent and payment schedule, contract period, security deposit and any additional terms (maintenance responsibilities, early termination, number of occupants). Add special terms as an addendum rather than handwriting changes on the form.
Both parties sign. Check the property details (plot, building, unit number, DEWA premise number) match the title deed — mismatches are the most common reason registration gets stuck.
Step 6: Ejari registration
Ejari — Arabic for "my rent" — is DLD's official system for registering tenancy contracts. Registration is mandatory, makes the contract legally recognised and is needed for things like connecting DEWA, family visas and some government services.
You can register:
- online through the Dubai REST app (the landlord typically approves the request in the app), or
- at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre (often still called a typing centre).
Have ready:
- the signed tenancy contract
- the security deposit receipt
- tenant passport, visa and Emirates ID copies
- landlord passport/ID and title deed copies
- the DEWA premise number
Once registered, the tenant receives the Ejari certificate. Send the tenant a copy and keep one on file.
Step 7: DEWA and move-in
With the Ejari number, the tenant activates electricity and water with DEWA (through the DEWA app or website), pays the DEWA security deposit, and sets up chiller or gas accounts if they're separate. Check with the building management whether a move-in permit is needed and book the service lift.
Step 8: Handover
- Do a condition report with dated photos of every room, appliances and meter readings. Both parties sign.
- Hand over keys, access cards and parking stickers — note how many.
- Share the building's emergency and maintenance contacts.
A good handover report is what protects the tenant's deposit — and your reputation — twelve months from now.
Step 9: After the deal
- Archive the listing and remove social posts as soon as the contract is signed — an "available" advert for a let unit damages trust.
- Add a renewal reminder about 90 days before expiry. Under Dubai rules, notice of changes to rental terms has to be given ahead of renewal, so landlords appreciate an early prompt.
- Ask the tenant for a short review — it's the best marketing you'll get.
The checklist
- Marketing agreement, title deed, Trakheesi permit
- Offer confirmed in writing
- Tenant and landlord documents collected
- Deposit, agency fee and cheques received with receipts
- Unified tenancy contract signed, details match title deed
- Ejari registered and certificate shared
- DEWA activated, move-in permit booked
- Condition report signed at handover
- Listing archived
Keep each deal's documents together — your Relaio Listings listing page can hold the brochure and floor plan, and your leads board keeps the client notes in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Who registers Ejari — the landlord, tenant or broker?
Any of them can start it. In practice the broker or tenant often submits it through the Dubai REST app and the landlord approves. Agree who's responsible when the offer is accepted, so it doesn't fall between the cracks.
Can the tenant connect DEWA before Ejari?
Generally no — DEWA uses the Ejari number to set up the account, which is why Ejari should be done as soon as the contract is signed.
What happens to the security deposit at the end?
It's returned when the tenant moves out, less any agreed deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear or unpaid bills. The signed condition report from move-in is the best evidence for both sides.