A proposed rent increase often arrives as one sentence in an email: “The new rent will be…” The useful response starts with three facts, not a negotiation: when the current contract expires, when the change was communicated, and what the Dubai Land Department’s official Rental Index shows for the property.
Dubai Land Department says that a rent increase at renewal depends on both timely notice and the official index. Its published guidance states that, unless the parties agreed otherwise, a party wishing to change the rent or another contract term should notify the other at least 90 days before the contract expires. DLD’s 2025 Smart Rental Index guidance says an increase is applied only where the required notice was given and the index confirms eligibility.
Make a renewal snapshot
Record these details on one page:
- Ejari or tenancy contract number;
- current annual rent;
- contract start and expiry dates;
- date the proposed increase was received;
- exact new amount requested;
- delivery method and the complete message; and
- result from the official DLD Rental Index, with the date checked.
Save the original communication. Do not rely on a cropped screenshot that hides the sender or date. If notice came through several messages, keep the whole relevant thread.
Use the official calculator, not a neighbourhood estimate
DLD’s Rental Index service asks for property and contract information, then shows the relevant market and increase information. DLD lists the Land Department website, Ejari, Dubai REST and DubaiNow among the service channels.
An estate-agent listing or a neighbour’s new lease may help explain the market, but it is not a replacement for the official renewal tool. Save the result shown for your property and the date you checked it. The index can be updated, so a screenshot without a date is less useful later.
Keep notice timing and permitted amount separate
Two questions can become confused:
- Was the proposed change communicated within the required period?
- Does the official index support an increase, and if so, what does it show?
A positive answer to one does not automatically answer the other. Contract terms and facts can also matter. If the parties disagree, obtain current guidance from DLD or RDC and licensed advice for the specific tenancy.
Write a short, factual response
A practical reply can identify the contract, acknowledge the proposal, record the notice date and ask for the official calculation. Avoid accepting or rejecting a figure before checking the documents.
I refer to the tenancy contract for [property], expiring on [date]. I received the proposed annual rent of AED [amount] on [date]. Please share the applicable DLD Rental Index result and calculation so the renewal terms can be reviewed against the contract and official requirements.
This is a record-building format, not a legal position. A live dispute may require a different response.
Frequently asked questions
Is 90 days always the relevant notice period?
Dubai’s published guidance says at least 90 days unless the parties agreed otherwise. Review the tenancy contract and obtain advice if the wording or timeline is disputed.
Where should I calculate a Dubai rent increase?
Use Dubai Land Department’s official Rental Index service or an official channel listed by DLD, such as Dubai REST.
Does an email automatically change the rent?
Not by itself. Notice timing, the contract, the official index and the parties’ agreement all matter.
Can CaseDaleel decide the permitted increase?
No. It can organise the dates and direct you to the official calculator. A disputed interpretation should be reviewed by the relevant authority or a licensed professional.