Ejari Dubai registration turns your signed tenancy agreement into an official rental record with the Dubai Land Department. For most residential tenants, it is a mandatory step after signing a lease and is commonly required to activate DEWA, sponsor family members, prove your address and protect your position in a rental dispute.
Written by Vincent — MovingToDubai.org
Dubai resident since 2026
Content type: Official-source guide · Editorial method
In 2026, registering or renewing online through Dubai REST or the Dubai Land Department website costs AED 177.75. Registration through a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre costs AED 220. A tenant can initiate the online request, but the landlord must approve it for the process to be completed.
This complete guide explains the documents, fees, online and in-person steps, landlord approval, renewal and cancellation procedures. It also covers the most common Ejari problems new expats encounter.
This article covers standard residential tenancy in Dubai and is general information, not legal advice. Commercial leases, managed properties and unusual ownership structures can follow different procedures. Verify your case with the Dubai Land Department or an authorised trustee.
What is Ejari in Dubai?
“Ejari” means “my rent” in Arabic. It is the Dubai Land Department system used to register rental contracts and regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants. Once registration is complete, you receive an Ejari certificate containing an official contract number and the property and tenancy details.
Your signed tenancy agreement and your Ejari certificate are related but not identical:
- Tenancy agreement: the lease signed between the landlord and tenant, containing the rent, dates, payment terms and additional conditions.
- Ejari registration: the official government record of that tenancy.
- Ejari certificate: the downloadable document proving the registration exists.
The system is managed by the Dubai Land Department, or DLD, through channels including the Dubai REST application, the DLD website, registered Ejari business users and authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centres.
Why do tenants need Ejari?
Ejari is not an optional administrative decoration. It is used to connect a residential lease with several government and utility processes.
DEWA activation
New tenants generally need the registered tenancy information to activate electricity and water. In many cases the digital systems exchange information automatically, but you should still keep the certificate and DEWA premise number available.
Our guide to DEWA costs in Dubai explains the deposit, activation and monthly bill.
Family sponsorship
A registered housing contract may be requested as evidence of suitable accommodation when sponsoring a spouse, children or other eligible dependants. The required documents depend on the application and sponsor.
See the complete Dubai family visa guide for the wider process.
Proof of address
Banks, telecom providers, employers, schools and other organisations may request an Ejari certificate as official proof of where you live.
Rental disputes
Ejari creates an official record of the lease. That record is important if a dispute reaches the Rental Disputes Center. Registration does not make every clause valid or guarantee that a tenant will win a case, but an unregistered contract can create avoidable complications.
Rent renewal and rental index
The Ejari contract number can be used with DLD services, including the Rental Index, to review the permitted renewal framework.
How much does Ejari cost in Dubai in 2026?
The official DLD registration and renewal service lists two price structures.
| Channel | Fee breakdown | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai REST app or DLD website | AED 100 registration + AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation + AED 55 service partner fee + AED 2.75 VAT | AED 177.75 |
| Real Estate Services Trustee Centre | AED 100 registration + AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation + AED 95 service partner fee plus VAT | AED 220 |
The official service page was updated in July 2026. Avoid relying on older guides that quote only AED 120 or omit digital service-partner fees.
Ejari cancellation through the app or system is free. Cancellation through a trustee centre carries an AED 40 service-partner fee plus VAT according to DLD’s service information.
Who is responsible for Ejari registration and payment?
The Dubai Land Department states that registration responsibility is borne by both landlord and tenant. In practice, the tenant or real estate agent commonly completes the process and the tenant commonly pays the fee.
Read the tenancy offer and agreement before signing. If an agent says that Ejari is included, ask whether this means:
- The agent will submit the request only
- The registration fee is included in the commission
- The landlord or management company will register it directly
- You must visit a trustee centre yourself
Do not pay an unexplained “Ejari fee” far above the official total without a written breakdown. An agent may charge an administrative service fee, but it should be clear that this is separate from the government registration charge.
Can the tenant register Ejari?
Yes. DLD confirms that a tenant can initiate registration through Dubai REST. The landlord’s approval is required before completion. A tenant can also use a trustee centre with the documentation required for the case, including an owner NOC where applicable.
Landlord approval deadline
DLD’s 2026 Ejari campaign says that if a landlord does not approve a tenant-initiated request within five days, the request is automatically cancelled. This does not cancel the lease itself; it cancels the pending digital request, which may then need to be submitted again.
Documents and information required for Ejari
Registering through Dubai REST
DLD lists a copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract as the required document through the application. Your digital identity and property records supply much of the other information, but you should have the following ready:
- Signed Unified Tenancy Contract
- Valid Emirates ID and UAE Pass access
- Tenant contact information
- Landlord’s correct registered contact information
- Property and lease details
- DEWA premise number
- Rent amount, contract dates and payment information
The DLD FAQ states that an Emirates ID is mandatory for standard tenant registration. Passport-only registration is generally not accepted, with specific exceptions for embassies and consulates and separate guidance for certain GCC cases.
Registering at a trustee centre
DLD lists the following:
- Original Unified Tenancy Contract
- Applicant’s Emirates ID for presentation
- Official power of attorney if the applicant acts as a representative
If a power of attorney was issued in Dubai, the number may be entered without attaching the document. If issued in another emirate, it must be attached.
Arabic terms
DLD says Arabic terms and conditions are mandatory because the lease is a government legal document. Use the official unified contract format and ensure additional terms are clear in both languages where appropriate.
How to register Ejari online through Dubai REST
Dubai REST allows individual landlords and tenants to manage tenancy registration, renewal and cancellation. The precise screen labels can change with app updates, but the process generally follows these steps.
- Download Dubai REST. Use the official application listed by the Dubai Land Department.
- Sign in as an individual. Complete identity verification using the available UAE credentials.
- Open Ejari or tenancy services. Tenant requests appear within the rental or Ejari service area.
- Select Register/Renew Tenancy Contract.
- Enter the property and contract details. Copy dates, rent and payment information exactly from the signed agreement.
- Upload a clear copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract.
- Review before submission. A wrong property number, date or annual rent can delay approval.
- Submit the request. The landlord is notified and must approve it.
- Pay the fee. Follow the payment request shown in your account.
- Download the Ejari certificate. Save the PDF in more than one location.
The online channel is the cheapest option and avoids travelling to a centre, but it works smoothly only when landlord and property data are correct in DLD’s system.
What the landlord must do
The owner needs current contact information and access to the property through Dubai REST or the relevant Ejari channel. When the tenant submits a request, the landlord reviews and approves it digitally.
If the landlord is abroad, DLD says the owner can use Dubai REST provided their registered contact information is current, or appoint an authorised representative from the management company.
How to register Ejari at a trustee centre
Use an authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centre when the online process is unavailable, ownership information creates an issue or the landlord’s digital approval cannot be completed.
- Find an authorised centre through the Dubai Land Department website.
- Bring the original Unified Tenancy Contract and Emirates ID.
- Bring the relevant power of attorney or NOC if required.
- Ask the representative to verify that no old Ejari remains active.
- Review the information entered into the system.
- Pay the AED 220 total official service fee.
- Collect or download the issued certificate.
DLD lists approximately 25 minutes for trustee-centre processing, excluding waiting time. Incomplete documents or a property-record problem can make the real visit longer.
Trustee-centre restrictions
DLD states that trustee-office registration requires the property not to be managed by a real estate company or an owner with their own Ejari system access. The applicant must be the tenant or an authorised legal representative, and the landlord must be the owner or authorised representative.
Managed properties are normally handled through the responsible company’s system. Ask the management company to complete the registration rather than submitting conflicting requests.
How to download your Ejari certificate
You can download the certificate through:
- The Dubai REST app from the property or contract details
- The DLD website’s Download Rental Certificate service
The website may request the Ejari contract number plus the DEWA premise number or municipality information. The Ejari number is displayed at the top of the registered contract.
Store these documents together
- Ejari certificate
- Signed tenancy agreement and addendum
- Rent cheque copies and payment receipts
- Security-deposit receipt
- Move-in inspection photographs
- DEWA account and premise information
- Landlord and property-management contact details
These records are useful at renewal, move-out and during any disagreement about payment or property condition.
How to renew Ejari in Dubai
Ejari does not automatically renew merely because the tenant remains in the property. A renewed tenancy agreement needs a new registration.
The renewal process is similar to first registration:
- Agree on the rent, dates and contract terms.
- Sign the renewed Unified Tenancy Contract and addendum.
- Open the property or tenancy service in Dubai REST.
- Select register/renew tenancy contract.
- Enter the new term and rent exactly.
- Upload the signed renewal.
- Obtain the required approval.
- Pay the registration fee.
- Download and verify the new certificate.
The online total is AED 177.75 on the current official service page, while trustee-centre registration is AED 220.
Missing previous registrations
DLD warns that if previous rental years were not registered, you may be required to register the missing contracts before the current renewal can be processed. Do not wait several years to correct the record.
Changes to contract terms
Review every field before approving a renewal. Check:
- Annual rent
- Contract start and end dates
- Number and dates of rent payments
- Notice period
- Maintenance responsibilities
- Early-termination clause
- Included parking, appliances or furniture
Registration records the contract; it does not replace careful review of the clauses.
How to cancel Ejari
Ejari should be cancelled when the tenancy ends. If an old contract remains active, the next tenant may be unable to register a new one.
Cancellation through Dubai REST or the Ejari system
Landlords can cancel through Dubai REST or the relevant Ejari system. Tenants can submit cancellation through Dubai REST, subject to approval requirements.
DLD’s 2026 campaign states:
- A tenant can cancel through Dubai REST.
- If the lease is still valid, landlord approval is required.
- If the contract has expired, the campaign states landlord approval is not required.
- If a pending cancellation request is not approved within five days, the request is automatically cancelled.
Where a management company controls the property, it may need to process the cancellation.
Cancellation at a trustee centre
A tenant cancelling a still-valid contract through a trustee centre needs an owner NOC. Trustee-centre cancellation costs AED 40 plus VAT according to DLD’s service page.
Is there a cancellation certificate?
DLD says it does not issue a separate certificate or receipt for a cancelled Ejari contract. Once cancellation is completed in the system, the lease record becomes invalid without another certificate.
Early termination
Ejari cancellation is not the same as having a legal right to leave early. The lease is binding. For a residential tenancy, DLD states that cancellation during the term can take place when both parties agree. The financial outcome depends on the contract and settlement.
Get the landlord’s written agreement, confirm final rent and penalties, settle utilities, return access cards and document the property handover.
Ejari, renewal notices and rent increases
The Dubai Land Department’s Rental Index helps tenants and landlords assess the applicable renewal framework. The system considers property and rental information and can use the Ejari contract number.
DLD’s FAQ says a landlord can increase rent based on the Rental Index and must serve the tenant three months’ prior notice. The exact legal outcome can depend on the lease, notice and current rules, so use the official DLD Rental Index rather than an unofficial calculator.
Save the result and all renewal communication. Do not accept a verbal increase without checking the index and notice timing.
Ejari does not approve every additional clause
A registered addendum is not necessarily enforceable simply because it appears in an Ejari file. If a clause conflicts with Dubai rental law, registration alone may not validate it. Seek advice from DLD or the Rental Disputes Center for a material disagreement.
Common Ejari problems and how to solve them
The landlord does not approve the request
Confirm that the owner received the notification and that their contact information is correct in the DLD system. Explain that the request expires after five days if not approved. If the digital route fails, ask DLD or a trustee centre which documents are required.
The system says the property is already rented
An earlier Ejari may still be active. The new tenant cannot cancel another person’s contract. The previous tenant, owner or authorised management party must close it before the new registration can proceed.
The property does not appear in Dubai REST
The owner may need to update or register the property record. This is not something a tenant should try to solve by entering a different unit or premise number.
The landlord is outside the UAE
The owner can use Dubai REST if their information is current or appoint an authorised representative. Arrange this before signing cheques if the landlord already knows they cannot access the system.
The property is managed by a company
Contact the management company. It may have Ejari system authority and be responsible for creating and cancelling contracts. A trustee centre may not be the correct channel.
There are two tenants
DLD states that Ejari cannot be issued under two tenant names. One person is the principal registered tenant. Other residents can be added as co-occupants through Dubai REST, but DLD does not issue a separate Ejari certificate listing co-occupants.
You rent a holiday home
DLD says tenants renting through holiday-home companies cannot obtain standard Ejari because those properties operate under the tourism and holiday-home system. Do not assume a short-term booking provides the proof of address needed for long-term resident services.
You do not yet have an Emirates ID
Standard individual tenant registration requires an Emirates ID. This creates a timing issue for some new arrivals. Coordinate temporary accommodation, residency processing and the lease with the agent before paying non-refundable amounts.
Our Dubai residence visa guide explains the wider sequence leading to the Emirates ID.
Ejari moving-in and moving-out checklists
After signing a new lease
- Verify the owner and property information.
- Keep the signed Unified Tenancy Contract and addendum.
- Request a written receipt for the security deposit.
- Confirm who will submit and pay for Ejari.
- Ensure the owner is ready to approve in Dubai REST.
- Register and download the certificate.
- Activate DEWA and arrange cooling where separate.
- Complete the building move-in procedure.
- Photograph the condition and inventory.
- Store all documents and payment evidence.
For the complete rental process, read Renting an Apartment in Dubai. If you are still comparing locations, use the guide to the best areas for expats.
Before moving out
- Give the notice required by the contract and law.
- Agree in writing on early termination if leaving before expiry.
- Arrange a property inspection.
- Photograph the final condition and meter readings.
- Settle DEWA, cooling and other utility accounts.
- Return keys, access cards and parking remotes against a receipt.
- Agree on deposit deductions and repayment.
- Submit or request Ejari cancellation.
- Confirm the contract is no longer active in Dubai REST.
- Keep the complete file after departure.
Ejari is only one of the connected administrative steps in a Dubai move. The Get the Complete Dubai Relocation Toolkit 2026 — English + French organises housing, visas, banking, healthcare, utilities and your first weeks into one practical sequence so you can complete each task without missing the dependencies.
You can also follow the free Moving to Dubai checklist and review home internet costs before selecting your telecom package.
Frequently asked questions about Ejari Dubai
What is Ejari in Dubai?
Ejari is the Dubai Land Department system that officially registers rental contracts. The issued certificate proves that the tenancy has been recorded in the government system.
Is Ejari mandatory?
Standard Dubai residential tenancy contracts should be registered. Ejari is commonly required for DEWA, family sponsorship, proof of address and rental-dispute procedures.
How much does Ejari cost in 2026?
Registration or renewal costs AED 177.75 through Dubai REST or the DLD website and AED 220 through an authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
Who pays the Ejari fee?
Both landlord and tenant share responsibility for ensuring registration, but the tenant or agent commonly completes and pays for it. Check the signed agreement.
Can a tenant register Ejari online?
Yes. A tenant can initiate a request through Dubai REST, but the landlord’s approval is required for completion.
How long does landlord approval take?
The timing depends on the landlord. DLD says a tenant-initiated request is automatically cancelled if the landlord does not approve it within five days.
Can I get Ejari without an Emirates ID?
Standard individual tenant registration requires an Emirates ID. DLD lists specific exceptions or separate processes for embassies, consulates and certain GCC cases.
Can Ejari have two tenant names?
No. DLD states that an Ejari cannot be registered under two tenant names. Other residents may be added as co-occupants in Dubai REST.
Does Ejari renew automatically?
No. A renewed tenancy contract must be registered again and a new fee paid.
How do I download my Ejari certificate?
Download it from the contract details in Dubai REST or use the DLD website’s Download Rental Certificate service with the Ejari and property information.
How much does Ejari cancellation cost?
Cancellation through the app or system is free. Trustee-centre cancellation carries an AED 40 service-partner fee plus VAT.
What happens if Ejari is not cancelled?
The old contract can block the next tenant from registering the property. Arrange cancellation when moving out and verify the record is no longer active.
Can I use a holiday-home contract for Ejari?
No. DLD says holiday homes operate under a separate tourism system and do not receive standard Ejari registration.
Can I activate DEWA without Ejari?
For a standard long-term residential tenancy, registered tenancy information is generally part of DEWA activation. Complete Ejari promptly after signing the lease.
Final thoughts
Ejari Dubai registration is straightforward when the property record is correct and the landlord is ready to approve the request. The online total is AED 177.75, and most standard tenants should begin through Dubai REST.
The common failures are administrative: an old contract was never cancelled, the owner’s contact information is outdated, the wrong property number was entered or the landlord missed the five-day approval window. Resolve these issues before they delay DEWA, family visas or move-in. Save every certificate, receipt and signed agreement for the full tenancy and after you leave.
Update History
9 August 2026: Added a standard author and content-provenance block. Substantive facts and the original publication date were not changed in this template update.