Dubai RERA Rent Increase Calculator
Find the maximum legal rent increase for your Dubai property under the RERA rental index (Decree 43 of 2013).
Your tenancy
From the RERA rental index — check the Dubai REST app or dubailand.gov.ae.
RERA increase slabs
Know your rights before renewal
Dubai rent increases are strictly capped by law. This tool applies the exact RERA slabs so tenants and landlords both know the maximum legal figure.
Decree 43/2013 slabs
Applies the official five-tier rent-increase scale based on how far your rent sits below the RERA market average — the same rules the Rental Disputes Centre uses.
Exact maximum
Enter your current rent and the market average and get the precise maximum percentage and new annual rent the landlord can legally charge.
Tenants & landlords
Tenants can check a proposed increase is legal; landlords can set a compliant renewal figure and avoid a dispute.
90-day rule reminder
Flags the requirement that landlords give 90 days' written notice before renewal to change the rent — miss it and the old rent stands.
No-increase detection
Clearly tells you when no increase is permitted — when your rent is at, above, or within 10% of the market average.
100% private
Everything runs in your browser. Your rent figures never leave your device.
Who uses it
Tenants at renewal
Check whether a landlord's proposed increase is actually legal before you agree to it.
Landlords
Set a compliant renewal rent and give correct notice to avoid a dispute case.
Real estate agents
Advise clients on the maximum legal increase for a property in seconds.
Dispute prep
Work out your position before filing or responding at the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can my landlord increase rent in Dubai?
It depends entirely on how far your current rent sits below the average market rent in the RERA rental index. Under Decree No. 43 of 2013: if your rent is up to 10% below market, no increase is allowed; 11–20% below allows up to 5%; 21–30% allows up to 10%; 31–40% allows up to 15%; and more than 40% below market allows up to 20%. If your rent is at or above the market average, the landlord cannot raise it.
What is the RERA rental index?
The RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) rental index is the official benchmark of average rents for comparable properties across Dubai, maintained by the Dubai Land Department. It is the legal reference point for any rent-increase dispute. You can look up the average market rent for your property type and area in the Dubai REST app or on dubailand.gov.ae.
How much notice must a landlord give to increase rent?
At least 90 days before the tenancy renewal date, the landlord must give written notice of any change to the rent or other terms. If they miss this deadline, the existing terms — including the current rent — roll over for another year. This 90-day rule is one of the strongest protections for Dubai tenants.
Does this apply to Abu Dhabi or other emirates?
No — this calculator uses Dubai's RERA rules under Decree 43/2013. Other emirates have different frameworks: Abu Dhabi reintroduced a 5% annual rent cap, and Sharjah has its own rules. For properties outside Dubai, check the relevant emirate's tenancy regulations.
What if the landlord demands more than the legal increase?
You are not obliged to accept an increase above the RERA-permitted maximum. If you cannot reach agreement, either party can file a case with the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (RDSC), which rules based on the RERA index and Decree 43/2013. Keep your tenancy contract, Ejari registration, and the RERA index figure as evidence.
Is the maximum increase automatic each year?
No. The permitted percentage is a ceiling, not an entitlement. The landlord can only apply an increase if your rent is below the market average by the relevant margin, gave 90 days' notice, and the increase does not exceed the slab. Many tenants whose rent is close to market pay no increase at all on renewal.
Understanding Dubai Rent Increase Rules
Dubai is one of the few markets in the world where residential rent increases are governed by a precise, public formula rather than left to negotiation. The system is designed to protect tenants from sudden spikes while still letting landlords move under-priced rents toward the market. Understanding it puts both sides on equal footing at renewal time.
The Decree 43 of 2013 formula
Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013 ties the maximum permitted increase to a single factor: how far your current rent sits below the average market rent for similar properties, as recorded in the RERA rental index. If your rent is within 10% of the average, no increase is allowed. From there, a five-tier scale applies — 5%, 10%, 15%, and a maximum of 20% once your rent is more than 40% below the market average. Crucially, the percentage is a ceiling tied to that gap, not an automatic annual rise.
The RERA rental index
The whole calculation hinges on the average market rent, which comes from the official RERA rental index maintained by the Dubai Land Department. The index is searchable in the Dubai REST app and on the DLD website by property type, size, and community. In 2025 Dubai introduced a Smart Rental Index that factors in building quality and amenities, refining the averages further. Because the index is the legal reference, the figure you enter for "market rent" should come from it, not from listing prices.
The 90-day notice rule
Even when an increase is permitted, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing at least 90 days before the tenancy renewal date. This is one of the most important and most overlooked protections: if the landlord fails to give proper notice, the existing rent and terms automatically continue for another year. Tenants who receive a last-minute increase demand can often reject it on these grounds alone.
When disputes go to the RDSC
If a landlord and tenant cannot agree, either can file with the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre, the judicial body for Dubai tenancy matters. The RDSC bases its rulings on the RERA index and Decree 43/2013 — the same inputs this calculator uses — so going in with the correct market-rent figure and your Ejari-registered contract usually makes the outcome predictable. Filing fees are modest and the process is designed to be accessible to individual tenants.
Other emirates differ
These rules are specific to Dubai. Abu Dhabi reintroduced a flat 5% annual cap on rent increases, and other emirates such as Sharjah operate their own frameworks and customary limits. If your property is outside Dubai, treat this calculator as illustrative only and consult the relevant emirate's tenancy law. Within Dubai, though, the Decree 43 slabs are the definitive answer to "how much can my rent go up?"