Disputes & Rights · Dubai

Is subletting legal in Dubai?
Consent, term, fees and eviction risk

Updated October 2026 · Law 26/2007 as amended by Law 33/2008 · checked against dlp.dubai.gov.ae and DLD FAQ

Can you sublet your Dubai apartment or a room in it? Yes — but only with your landlord’s written consent (Article 24, Law 26/2007). Without it the landlord can seek your eviction before the lease ends. This guide quotes the articles that matter, explains the term and fee rules and what to do about Ejari.

The short answer: yes, but only with the landlord’s written consent

Article 24 of Law No. 26 of 2007 says: “Unless otherwise agreed by the parties to the Lease Contract, the Tenant may not assign the use of or sub-lease the Real Property to third parties unless written consent of the Landlord is obtained.” So subletting is legal when your landlord agrees in writing — and a ground for eviction when it does not.

Landlord consents in writing	Sublease is valid. It ends when your own lease ends unless the landlord expressly extends it (Art. 8).
No consent	The landlord may seek eviction before expiry (Art. 25(1)(b), as amended by Law 33 of 2008).
Contract says otherwise	Art. 24 starts with “unless otherwise agreed”, so the contract can allow or forbid it — read your Additional Terms.
Shared housing / bed space	Tenants may not sublease any part of a unit under Law No. 4 of 2026 — see shared housing law.

Mind the sublease term and fees

Article 8: the sub-lease expires when the main lease expires, unless the landlord expressly agrees to extend it. Article 22 adds that, unless your contract says otherwise, the tenant pays all government fees and taxes due for use of the property and any fees or taxes prescribed for a sub-lease. You stay responsible to the landlord for the rent and the condition of the unit throughout.

What happens if you sublet without consent

Article 25(1)(b) lets the landlord seek eviction before expiry “where the Tenant sub-lets the Real Property or any part thereof without obtaining the Landlord’s written approval”. The landlord files at the Rental Disputes Centre; see eviction notice rules for how notices work. You may also lose your deposit claims and face the sub-tenant’s own claims against you. Tenancy sites that say subletting is “permitted if it does not harm the owner” soften the rule — the law asks for written consent.

Ejari and subletting

DLD’s FAQ says management companies may create sub-lease contracts only if their licence includes leasing and sub-leasing, and that a facility-management company is not allowed to sub-lease a property. It also says there is no Ejari certificate for a co-occupant (co-occupants can be added in the Dubai REST app) and that an Ejari cannot be made under two tenant names. The FAQ does not describe a registration route for a tenant-to-tenant sub-lease; ask a trustee centre or DLD before assuming one exists. Your own contract stays registered in your name — see Ejari registration.

⚖️ Thinking of subletting your flat?

Paste your contract’s clause into the AI rental lawyer — it checks consent, term and risks against Law 26/2007 and drafts the request to your landlord. AED 50 per session — first question free.

Check my clause →

If you are the landlord

Decide in writing whether you allow subletting and on what terms (rent cap, sub-tenant screening, no short-stay use). If the tenant sublets without your approval you may rely on Article 25(1)(b). If the lease ends after a termination award while a sub-tenant approved by you occupies the property, Article 30 lets that sub-tenant stay on the terms of the sub-lease. Holiday-home use is a separate regulated activity — do not treat a sublease consent as permission for it.

Frequently asked questions

Is subletting legal in Dubai?

Yes, with the landlord’s written consent. Article 24 of Law 26/2007 forbids a tenant to sub-lease or assign use of the property to third parties without it, unless the lease says otherwise.

What if I sublet without my landlord’s permission?

Article 25(1)(b) lets the landlord seek eviction before the lease expires when the tenant sub-lets the property or any part of it without written approval.

How long can a sublease last?

Article 8: the sub-lease ends when the main lease ends, unless the landlord expressly agrees to extend it.

Who pays the fees on a sublease?

Article 22: unless the lease says otherwise, the tenant pays government fees and taxes for use of the property and any fees or taxes prescribed for a sub-lease.

Can I sublet a room or bed space in Dubai?

Letting a room needs the landlord’s written consent like any sublease. Bed-space shared housing is regulated by Law No. 4 of 2026, which bans tenants from subleasing any part of a unit and requires a building permit.

Can a sub-tenant get an Ejari certificate?

DLD’s FAQ says co-occupants do not get an Ejari certificate and an Ejari cannot be registered under two tenant names. It does not describe a route for registering a tenant-to-tenant sub-lease, so confirm with DLD or a trustee centre.

Can a sub-tenant stay if the lease is terminated?

Article 30: if the tribunal terminates the lease and a sub-tenant approved by the landlord occupies the property, the sub-tenant may continue under the terms of the sub-lease.

Is subletting legal in Dubai?Consent, term, fees and eviction risk