Finance guide
Every Dubai tenancy must be registered on Ejari. Here's what it is, why it gates utilities, visas and dispute protection, what you need to register, and what it costs.
Ejari ("my rent") is the RERA system that officially registers a Dubai tenancy contract with the Dubai Land Department. Registration turns a private lease into a legally recognised contract — it is mandatory for every rental in Dubai, residential or commercial.
An Ejari certificate is required for the tenant's DEWA (utilities) connection, for many visa and Emirates ID steps, and to register children for schooling. Crucially, the Rental Dispute Centre will only hear a case backed by a registered Ejari — without it you have little protection.
Typically the signed tenancy contract, copies of the landlord's and tenant's ID (Emirates ID / passport), the title deed or proof of ownership, a DEWA premise number, and the tenant's contact details. Registration is done online via the Ejari/Dubai REST app or at a typing centre.
Ejari registration is a modest fixed fee (a few hundred dirhams) plus any typing-centre service charge. Custom varies, but the tenant often pays; agree who covers it up front. It must be renewed each time the tenancy is renewed.
You generally can't connect utilities or complete several admin steps without an Ejari certificate. Register early so the move-in isn't blocked.
The Rental Dispute Centre needs a registered tenancy to act. An unregistered lease leaves both sides exposed — register every contract, every renewal.
Ejari isn't one-and-done. Each renewal must be re-registered; lapses can interrupt utilities and visa steps tied to the contract.
The fee is small but the custom (tenant vs landlord) varies. Settle it in the negotiation so it isn't a friction point at registration.