Ejari in Dubai: who registers a lease and what it costs

Ejari is Dubai Land Department's system for registering tenancy contracts. DLD's FAQ, read 9 October 2026, says registering through the Dubai REST app or DLD's website costs AED 100, plus an AED 10 knowledge fee and an AED 10 innovation fee.

Who registers the contract?

DLD's FAQ says registering Ejari is the responsibility of both landlord and tenant. It adds that in most cases the tenant or the real estate agent completes it.

The FAQ says a tenant can start the registration through the Dubai REST app. The landlord's approval is needed to complete it.

Owners, real estate companies, owners' representatives and holding companies can use the Ejari system. A Real Estate Services Trustee centre can also register a contract when an owner, a tenant or their attorney attends.

What does registration cost?

DLD's FAQ answers "How much does Ejari renewal cost?" as follows: through the Dubai REST app or DLD's website, AED 100 for registering a tenancy contract, plus an AED 10 knowledge fee and an AED 10 innovation fee; through a trustee centre, AED 120 plus service partners' fees of AED 95 plus VAT (FAQ read 9 October 2026).

Creating an Ejari user account is free, the FAQ says.

What is Ejari needed for?

DLD's FAQ gives these uses:

• DEWA move-in. The FAQ says all customers need Ejari for DEWA's move-in service. DEWA is Dubai's electricity and water authority.
• Rental disputes. The FAQ lists the tenancy contract or Ejari among the documents a tenant brings to the Rental Disputes Center.
• Rent increases. The FAQ says DLD's rental increase calculator uses the Ejari contract's data.

Is the rental index binding?

Not for a new lease. DLD's FAQ says: "The rental index is indicative and is not mandatory for the new lease." It adds that the index becomes mandatory when the two parties disagree about a rent increase at renewal.

The FAQ says either party wanting to change the terms or the rent must tell the other at least 90 days before the contract ends (FAQ read 9 October 2026).

Are there limits?

The FAQ (read 9 October 2026) says an individual may hold up to 3 residential Ejari contracts, with no limit for commercial leases. It gives 10 years as the longest tenancy contract allowed in Ejari.

Keyva's rent increase page covers renewal increases.

This page summarises DLD's published FAQ. It is not legal advice.

Updated 9 October 2026: figures and wording corrected.