Moving into your new home brings a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. It doesn’t matter if it’s a rental or personal property, there’s just no place like “home.”
Dubai, as one of the world’s best cities to live in, has put several measures in place to make life pretty comfortable for residents. Government housing regulations and agencies have been set up to ensure compliance by both landlords and tenants, ensuring smooth rental or property purchase processes for everyone. The agencies involved include the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
In 2010, RERA introduced Ejari, which literally meant “my rent” in Arabic, to bring transparency and order to Dubai’s real estate market. Today, Ejari, alongside the Smart Rental Index – an initiative of RERA in conjunction with the DLD – are expected to bring stability and fairness in pricing to the real estate scene in Dubai.
Ejari is a regulatory body where all rentals and housing related intricacies are mandated to be registered. Completing an Ejari Registration serves as a protective measure for both landlords and tenants in Dubai.
As a newcomer to Dubai’s real estate scene, an aspiring homeowner or landlord seeking information for a place to rent in Dubai, details of home rentals or apartments can sometimes be confusing and stressful, especially when it involves Ejari registration. So we’ve carefully put together this piece to help you navigate the complexities of the Ejari registration.
What is Ejari in the UAE?
Ejari is a mandatory registration system that has been put in place to properly assess rentals or lease contracts in Dubai. It is a platform created to legalize the relationship between landlords and tenants in Dubai, and offer legal protection to both in this case of property disputes.
On March 14, 2010, RERA mandated all landlords to input the details of their rental property in the Ejari system after completing the Ejari Registration.
The system aims to ensure all private rental contracts are legally binding and structured in ways approved by the government. This is important because it organizes and protects all your records, and keeps these records with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), which ensures smooth provision of services.
Benefits of Completing an Ejari Registration
Protection of tenancy rights: Once the Ejari Registration is completed, there is no need to worry about potential infringement on property rights.
Visa sponsorships of dependents: In the case of immigrant couples, completing an Ejari registration can open the door to sponsorships because this validates proof to stay/work in Dubai.
Exposure to the network of utilities: Readily available infrastructure and services are in place for people who have completed their Ejari registration. A good example is the seamless connection to services provided by DEWA and RERA once registration is complete.
Easily accessible contract revisions in case of disputes: In a worst-case scenario where there is irrefutable damage in the contract between the landlord and tenant, completing an Ejari registration will give opportunity to easily revisit the terms and condition of the contract for resolution.
Landlord and Tenancy Contract - Who Needs to Complete the Ejari Registration?
The landlords, tenants (and/or their representatives), and property management organizations are required to complete the Ejari registration.
Registering the tenancy contract in Dubai with Ejari is an added responsibility of landlords. The landlords usually assign these responsibilities to their real estate agents, but in the real sense, the tenants will be required to complete the process and pay the necessary dues.
Before proceeding with the registration process, you must ensure that the contract duration, rent amounts, and security deposits are clearly stated. You can register via the Ejari Dubai apps or Ejari trustee centers.
How to Complete Your Ejari Registration
To complete your Ejari registration, you will be needing the following documents:
- Your tenancy contract: A copy of the agreement between you and the landlord.
- Emirates ID: Your valid Emirates ID.
- Your Passport copy: This is required if you are not a GCC national.
- Landlord’s Passport copy: This is required if the landlord is a single individual.
- Security deposit receipt: Document to show that you have paid the security deposit.
- Title Deed copy: A copy of the original deed of the property.
- Trade license: If a commercial property is involved.
- Power of Attorney(PoA): Ensure that this is a current reissued copy signed by the appropriate representative.
You can complete your Ejari registration offline or online. Both methods are effective and come down to your preference.
Ejari Online Application Method (Dubai REST App or Dubai Now App)
For hassle-free registration, the online application is your go-to choice. To register Ejari online and get your certificate, you can use the Dubai REST App or Dubai Now App.
How to register on the Dubai Rest App:
- Go to your device’s store to download apps
- Search and download the “Dubai REST app”
- Navigate to the ‘services’ tab, select ‘RERA’
- Click on ‘Register Ejari Contract’
- Input your details in the form that will be displayed on this page
- Finally, submit your application
The landlord is then required to approve your tenancy application via the app. Once this is done, you will be prompted to make payment and the Ejari contract will become available to you once all the details have been confirmed and approved.
Offline Method (Typing Centers)
A lot of people seem to prefer this method as it is more convenient for the older adults and those who need assistance with the registration. The drawback is it’s a bit more expensive. It involves physically going to any verified Real Estate Trustee Centers or Typing centers.
Below is a list of some of the “Ejari offices near me” in Dubai:
- Ejari Services - JVC Center
- Al Aklas Typing Center - Al Barsha
- Ejari Registration Centre - International City
- Ejari Services - Meydan
After completing the registration, you’ll be issued an Ejari certificate. The Ejari registration is compulsory for all rental properties, including residential and commercial properties.
Ejari Cost - Registration and Service Fees
The cost of registering your tenancy contract in Dubai with Ejari varies depending on the medium – online or offline. Here’s a detailed information about the registration fees:
Online Registration Fees
The cost of online registration for the Ejari contract is AED 155, excluding VAT, with additional service fees:
- AED 10 Knowledge fee
- AED 10 Innovation fee
Offline Registration Fees
It costs AED 219.75 including VAT to register your Ejari contract through real estate services trustee centers in Dubai.
Opening Hours for Typing or Real Estate Trustee Centers
The service centers are open all days of the week except on Saturdays. You can effortlessly register your tenancy contract at any of the trustee centers between:
- Sundays – Thursdays: 8am – 8pm
- Fridays: 8am – 12pm, 4pm – 8pm
Always verify the opening hours of your preferred service centers before visiting for registration.
To Conclude,
The Ejari registration is compulsory for landlords and tenants in Dubai. It provides protection to both parties in the case of legal disputes. This process ensures all private rental contracts are drafted into legally binding documents and structured in formats approved by UAE’s property laws.
Ejari and Smart Rental Index are initiatives of the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to promote transparency and fairness in the real estate market. On completing the Ejari registration, you can get the certificate 1 or 2 days after the documents are approved.
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