Dubai is home to numerous expats from all over the world. If you are searching for long-term housing in Dubai, you should become familiar with the words used in real estate. One such phrase is ‘Ejari’, a government-run program that governs all Dubai tenancy contracts. We’ve put up this thorough guide to cover all you need to know about Ejari.
EJARI REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL GUIDE IN DUBAI
‘Ejari’ simply means ‘My Rent’ in Arabic. Dubai’s Ejari system is an RERA project established under Law No. 26 of 2007. The law requires that all rental contracts for homes in Dubai be recorded online via the official site, a cutting-edge system designed to safeguard the rights of landlords and tenants in the city.
Renting a property in Dubai requires tenancy contracts to be made into a legally enforceable document organized in a government-approved manner.
The tenant and landlord share responsibilities for registering Ejari. However, in most cases, either the tenant or the real estate agent completes the transaction.
There are two ways to register. You can do it online via the Ejari portal on the DLD website or the Dubai Rest app. You can also go to any certified typing center. As a result, Ejari registration can be completed online or in person.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR EJARI REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL IN DUBAI?
The Ejari registration and renewal processes change depending on whether you do them in person or online.
REGISTERING WITH REAL ESTATE SERVICE TRUSTEE CENTRES
Follow these procedures to register your tenancy contract with Real Estate Service Trustee Centres or typing centres in Dubai.
- Visit one of the nearby centres.
- Submit all relevant documents.
- Enter the transaction data into the system, which will be verified and authorized.
Pay the fees. - Receive both the contract and the contract registration certificate.
After submitting the relevant papers and paying the fees, you will receive your registration certificate within 1 to 2 days.
WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR EJARI?
When applying at any of the centers, you must present the following documents:
- A tenancy contract
- A copy of Emirates ID, passport, visa, commercial licence or power of attorney (if assigned) of the tenant
- Copy of the landlord’s passport (for individuals)
- A letter from the landlord stating the meter number (if there are shared electricity meters)
- An undertaking form of the data validity (if registered through real estate services trustees)
- Security deposit receipt
- Trade licence for commercial properties
- Title deed copy of the rented property
HOW DO I REGISTER EJARI ONLINE?
You may register Ejari online using the platforms listed below:
- Ejari system (Dubai Land Department’s website)
- Dubai REST App
- Dubai Now App
EJARI REGISTRATION VIA THE DUBAI REST APP.
Tenants can register their tenancy contracts via the Dubai REST app. The Ejari online registration method is as follows.
- Download the Dubai REST app
- Go to the ‘Services’ section
- Select RERA
- Opt for ‘Register Contract’
- Fill out the required fields
- Upload the documents and submit
To register, the landlord must also be registered on the app.
WHERE IS THE EJARI OFFICE IN DUBAI?
Real Estate Service Trustee Centres are spread across the emirate. Below is a list of some of the centers.
Ejari Offices
- Al Twar Center, Al Nahda Road
- 1st floor, Al Barhsa Mall, Al Barsha 2
- Dubai Municipality, Manara Center
- Dubai Municipality Center, Al Nahda Road, Altwar 1st
- Office 1, Ground Floor, Emaar Business Park 3, The Greens, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Ground Floor, Mazaya Center, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Business Park Building A2, Dubai World Central, Dubai South
- Business Venue Building, Oud Metha
WHAT ARE THE TIMINGS FOR THE REAL ESTATE SERVICE TRUSTEE CENTRE?
The service centers are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. There is a prayer break on Friday, so you can come between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The offices are closed on Saturdays.
WHAT ARE THE EJARI FEES?
According to the DLD website, registering using the app fees AED 120.
- AED 100 for the registration (excluding VAT)
- AED 10 Knowledge fee
- AED 10 Innovation fee
Registering through the real estate services trustees centres fees AED 215+VAT.
- AED 100 for registration (excluding VAT)
- AED 10 Knowledge fee
- AED 10 Innovation fee
- AED 95 Service partner’s fee (excluding VAT)
HOW DO I CANCEL THE EJARI CONTRACT?
As a landlord, you must keep Ejari cancellation in mind. That’s correct. It is critical to end the contract when the tenant goes away. This is the landlord’s obligation. RERA law requires just one registration against a property. The new tenant will be unable to register until the existing contract is dissolved.
Cancellation is possible in the case of:
- Early termination of the rental contract
- Cancelling the contract if parties don’t wish to renew the contract at the end of the lease
The documents required for cancellation include:
- Emirates ID of both parties
- Ejari Certificate
- Tenant’s passport
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the landlord
- The last DEWA bill issued to the tenant
- Original unified tenancy contract
- A termination letter from the property owner
You can terminate the contract using the DLD Website, the Dubai Rest App, or by visiting a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. Online cancellation is free, however visiting one of the service centres costs AED 40.
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EJARI CONTRACT?
When you sign a new tenancy contract in Dubai, you must also register. This need is necessary for conforming to RERA requirements, along with many connected formalities that include:
- For getting residence visas, new applications and renewals
- To get a telephone/television/internet connection
- Obtaining a commercial licence
- Employing domestic staff
- Acquiring an alcohol licence
- Electricity and water connection
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SYSTEM?
Aside from ensuring that all rental transactions in the emirate are clear and transparent, there are numerous other advantages to having the system in place.
- As a tenant, you can do the necessary background checks on the landlord and the property by obtaining historical information. It is always beneficial to be more informed of the agreements you are entering into.
- There is no space for fraud or document manipulation by either the landlord or the renter, which explains any future disputes.
- It helps to reduce unlawful dwellings and unfair exploitation in the real estate sector.
- The method maintains a seamless interaction between landlords and tenants.
FAQS ABOUT EJARI REGISTRATION
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EJARI REGISTRATION?
Once the tenancy contract is signed, the tenants and landlord are responsible for registering the property. However, the agency or tenants often manage the registration and shoulder the accompanying fees.
HOW TO DOWNLOAD AN EJARI CERTIFICATE
You can follow these simple steps.
- Visit dubailand.gov.ae and click on Download Ejari Certificate
- Add your contact number and a DEWA Premise Number or ‘Municipality Number.’
- Click ‘Download PDF’
WHAT IS THE EJARI NUMBER?
Once the tenancy contract is entered into the system, you are assigned a unique Ejari Number.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I RENEW EJARI, AND WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?
Ejari renewal is necessary if you renew the tenancy contract for your apartment or villa for rent in Dubai, which is most often once a year. You may renew your contract online by completing all of the needed Ejari renewal documentation.
According to current RERA requirements, you cannot register with Ejari Dubai if your prior contracts have not been registered. So, if you have not registered a previous tenancy contract, you must do so first. Tenancy contract registration is required.
You can renew Ejari via the following channels:
- Ejari typing centres in Dubai
- Real Estate Services Trustee offices
- Dubai Land Department website
- Dubai REST app
The documents required are:
- The original unified tenancy contract
- Emirates ID card
- Copy of a valid power of attorney document (if applicable)
- Copy of previous Ejari
- Trade licence (For commercial properties only)
WHO CAN REGISTER FOR EJARI?
Landlords, tenants, their chosen agents, and property management companies can all register.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET EJARI FOR A HOTEL APARTMENT IN DUBAI?
Yes, it is. According to the authorities, persons leasing hotel units should submit their tenancy documents to the GDRFA rather than the Land Department. You should also receive a letter from the hotel saying that you are a renter and outlining the annual rent you will pay. Aside from that, you will need to bring your passport and a DEWA bill.
WHAT IS EJARI DUBAI’S COST?
If you register online, the charge is AED 120 + VAT. However, if you want to register at one of the Service Trust Centres, the charge is AED 215 plus VAT.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SYSTEM?
The objective is to preserve the rights of all parties concerned.
Remember to register the Ejari tenancy contract no matter where you decide to rent. As previously stated, establishing a tenancy contract in Dubai is uncomplicated.
That concludes our guide. If you need more information or have any questions regarding filing a tenancy contract in Dubai, call the DLD’s toll-free hotline at 800-4488.
Before signing your rental agreement, make sure you understand the RERA tenancy laws. Use the RERA Dubai calculator to get an accurate estimate of the estimated rent increase.
Maintain a positive tenant-landlord connection to ensure that your tenure runs smoothly and without problems. If you wish to relocate, there are a variety of apartment leasing alternatives available.
