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Ejari (Arabic: إيجاري, "My Rent") is Dubai's official tenancy contract registration system run by RERA and the Dubai Land Department. All rental contracts in Dubai must be registered — including apartments, villas, offices and shops. Without Ejari you cannot connect DEWA utilities, renew a residency visa, or file a rental dispute. The penalty for not registering is up to AED 50,000.

You need: (1) a signed tenancy contract in DLD standard format, (2) tenant's Emirates ID, (3) landlord's Emirates ID or passport, (4) the property's Title Deed, and (5) the previous Ejari certificate if you are renewing. Ejari Helper generates the tenancy contract from your Emirates IDs and Title Deed automatically — you just upload them and AI fills in all the fields.

Online registration via the Dubai REST app or DLD website costs AED 122.50 including VAT. At a typing centre the fee is AED 215–220. Renewal costs the same as first-time registration. Cancellation is free.

UAE law does not specify which party must pay. It is negotiated and should be stated in the tenancy contract. In practice, the landlord or agent typically pays for first registration, while renewal costs are often passed to the tenant. If you register online yourself the fee is only AED 122.50 — much less than a typing centre.

Online registration via the Dubai REST app is instant — the certificate is issued by email as a PDF as soon as your documents are approved and payment is made. At a typing centre it is processed on-site the same day. If there is a rejection (e.g. address mismatch), fix the issue and resubmit at no extra charge.

The tenancy contract is the legal agreement between you and your landlord — it sets the rent, dates, and conditions. The Ejari certificate is the government's registration of that contract. You need both. The contract alone is not recognised in government systems — banks, DEWA, RERA, and Dubai Courts all require a valid Ejari certificate.

Yes. DEWA requires your Ejari registration number and the 9-digit Premises Number (also on the Ejari certificate) to process your Move In application. Register Ejari first, then apply for DEWA — electricity and water activate within 24 hours of payment. See our DEWA activation guide →

No. Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, rent is fixed for the entire contract period. Increases can only happen at renewal, with 90 days written notice and within RERA's permitted limits (0–20% depending on how far below market your current rent is). A notice with less than 90 days is not legally enforceable. If your landlord insists, file a case at the Rental Dispute Centre →

Your old Ejari expires at the end of the contract period. Without a renewed Ejari you lose legal standing — DEWA may flag your account, you cannot file disputes at the RDC, and residency visa renewals may be blocked. Renew Ejari within 30 days of signing your new contract. The process is the same as first registration — plus you upload the old Ejari certificate.

The landlord must return your deposit at the end of the tenancy, minus legitimate deductions (unpaid bills or actual property damage). Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted. Document the property condition on move-out with photos and a signed handover report. If the landlord refuses, file a case at the Rental Dispute Centre — deposit disputes are resolved in ~15 days. Filing fee: 3.5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 500.