# Ejari registration in Dubai: fees, documents and renewal

Canonical page: https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/ejari.html

Tenancy Guide

By [Daniella Best](https://firswoodproperties.ae/about/#daniella-best), Head of Compliance · Updated 2 October 2026

Ejari is the online system of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) for recording tenancy contracts in Dubai, and Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants, as amended, requires every lease governed by that law to be registered. Registering or renewing costs AED 177.75 through the [Dubai REST](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/dubai-rest/) app or the website of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), or AED 220 at a [real estate trustee centre](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/real-estate-registration-trustee-centres/registration-trustee), according to [DLD's fee page](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/).

## In brief

- Registering or renewing a tenancy contract online costs **AED 177.75** in total, according to DLD's Ejari e-service page, last updated 23 September 2026.
- At a real estate trustee centre, the same page gives the total as **AED 220**, with a service partner fee of AED 95 + VAT in place of the online AED 55.
- Cancelling Ejari is **free of charge** in the app or the Ejari system and **AED 40 + VAT** at a trustee centre, according to DLD's cancellation page, last updated 23 September 2026.
- DEWA asks tenants for **a valid Ejari number** before it switches on electricity and water (DEWA move-in page, last updated 1 January 2026).
- Opening a rental case at the Rental Disputes Center requires **a copy of the latest lease (Ejari)** (RDC filing page, updated 18 June 2026).

## What Ejari is

DLD's Tenancy Guide describes Ejari as "an online program developed by RERA for recording tenancy contracts for all types of property in the Emirate of Dubai". The legal duty is in Article 4(2) of Law No. 26 of 2007, in the text substituted by Law No. 33 of 2008: "All Lease Contracts related to Real Property which is governed by the provisions of this Law, and any amendments thereto, will be registered with RERA".

A completed registration produces an e-Contract Registration Certificate, which online applicants receive by email. It can be downloaded again later from the DLD website if you have the Ejari contract number, or in the Dubai REST app.

The contract has a floor and a ceiling on its length. DLD's Ejari FAQ page states that "The minimum lease term is one year". DLD's general FAQ adds: "The maximum period allowed for a tenancy contract in Ejari is 10 years".

The Tenancy Guide's definition covers all types of property, so office, retail and warehouse leases go through the same system. Our [commercial leasing](https://firswoodproperties.ae/services/commercial-leasing.html) page covers the wider cost of occupation.

## Who registers, and who pays

DLD's answer has two halves. "The responsibility for registering Ejari is borne by both the tenant and landlord," it says, yet "in most cases, the tenant or the real estate agent is the party who completes the process". Check the tenancy contract, or your agent's terms, for who bears the cost.

Applications are open to tenants, landlords, companies licensed for property management and representatives with a power of attorney. A tenant can start a request, but the landlord has to approve it. In the Dubai REST app or at a trustee centre, if the landlord does not approve within 5 days, the request is cancelled automatically.

## Documents you need for Ejari

Documents DLD lists for registering or renewing Ejari, by channel

| Channel | Documents DLD lists |
| --- | --- |
| Dubai REST app | Copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract (for individuals and companies) |
| Real estate trustee centre | Original Unified Tenancy Contract; the applicant's Emirates ID; official power of attorney if a representative applies |

For a representative, what you bring depends on where the power of attorney was issued. One issued in Dubai can be entered by its number. One issued in another emirate must be attached.

Co-occupants are managed separately in Dubai REST. DLD's Ejari FAQ page is clear on their status: "No certificates are issued for registering co-occupants, and their names do not appear in the rental contract".

## Where to register: Dubai REST, the Ejari system or a trustee centre

DLD offers three channels: the DLD website (Ejari system), the Dubai REST app and real estate trustee centres. Which one you can use depends on who the parties are and who manages the property.

Who can use each Ejari channel, in DLD's terms

| Channel | Who can use it |
| --- | --- |
| Ejari system (DLD website) | Companies licensed for a property management activity; individual owners who manage their own property; representatives with a legal power of attorney |
| Dubai REST app | Tenant and landlord must both be individuals, and the owner's data must be up to date. A tenant's request needs landlord approval within 5 days |
| Real estate trustee centre (DLD lists 19) | The applicant is the tenant or a representative with an official power of attorney; the landlord is the owner or a representative; the property is not managed by a real estate company or by an owner with Ejari system access |

DLD's directory lists 19 real estate registration trustee offices, and at a centre the service takes 25 minutes, excluding waiting time. DLD lists payment by credit card, cash or a Noqodi wallet.

At a trustee centre, DLD requires the landlord to be the owner of the property or a legal representative, so ask to see the [title deed](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/title-deed-dubai.html) before you sign.

## Ejari fees by channel

Ejari registration and renewal fees by channel, in AED, as printed on DLD's e-service page (last updated 23 September 2026); fees copied on 1 October 2026

| Fee line | Dubai REST app or DLD website | Real estate trustee centre |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tenancy contract registration | 100 | 100 |
| Knowledge fee | 10 | 10 |
| Innovation fee | 10 | 10 |
| Service partner fee | 55 | 95 |
| VAT on the service partner fee | 2.75 | "+ VAT" (DLD gives no figure; 4.75 at 5%) |
| Total stated by DLD | **177.75** | **220** |

The online column adds up exactly: 100 + 10 + 10 + 55 + 2.75 = 177.75. The trustee centre column does not. At the UAE's 5% VAT rate, its items come to 100 + 10 + 10 + 95 + 4.75 (95 × 5%) = AED 219.75. DLD's page gives AED 220 and does not explain the difference, so we show DLD's stated total in the table and our sum here.

Some guides quote an AED 215 "base fee" plus typing charges, or an online total of AED 155 before VAT. Neither figure is on DLD's fee page; before VAT, DLD's online lines come to AED 175 (100 + 10 + 10 + 55).

## Renewing an Ejari contract

Renewal runs through the same DLD service as a first registration, and DLD's FAQ repeats the same fee lines for it. There is no need to wait for the old contract to run out: DLD confirms that a tenancy contract can be renewed before it expires.

A rent change at renewal is governed by the rental index and the 90-day notice rule; our [RERA rent calculator](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/rera-rent-calculator.html) sets out both. According to DLD's Ejari FAQ page, a tenant who is not renewing must tell the landlord at least 3 months ahead.

## Cancelling Ejari

DLD describes its cancellation service as being for a tenancy contract that has expired for a property that has been vacated. The same page also lists a letter from the property owner where the contract is still active.

Cancelling Ejari, per DLD's Cancel Tenancy Contract page (last updated 23 September 2026), read on 1 October 2026

| Channel | Fee | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dubai REST app or Ejari system | Free of charge | A tenant's cancellation of a still-valid lease needs landlord approval; an unapproved request lapses after 5 days |
| Real estate trustee centre | AED 40 + VAT (AED 42.00 at 5%, our calculation: 40 + 2) | A letter from the owner is needed if the contract is still active |

Landlord consent matters only while the lease is still valid; an expired lease can be cancelled without it. Once cancellation is complete the lease is no longer valid. DLD issues no certificate or receipt for a cancelled Ejari contract, so keep your own record of the date.

## What a registered contract is used for

Ejari, or a registered tenancy contract, comes up on several other official service pages. The table quotes each one.

What the authorities ask for, from their own pages, checked 1 October 2026

| Service | What the official page says | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DEWA move-in (electricity and water) | "Valid Ejari Number (for tenants)". Deposit AED 2,000 (flat) or AED 4,000 (villa); activation AED 125 (small meters) or AED 300 (large meters) | [DEWA](https://dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/supply-management/activation-of-electricity-water-move-in), last update 1 January 2026 |
| Rental Disputes Center case | "A copy of latest lease (Ejari)"; for eviction, renewal and rent cases the fee is 3.5% of annual rent, with an AED 500 minimum and an AED 20,000 maximum | [RDC](https://rdc.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-first-instance-lawsuit-rental/), updated 18 June 2026 |
| GDRFA Dubai residence stamping | Lists an "attested tenancy contract with a minimum validity of 60 days" and the latest electricity and water bill. The FAQ does not use the word Ejari | [GDRFA FAQ](https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/faq) |
| DLD Rental Index calculator | Can look a unit up using its Ejari contract number, its DEWA premise number or the area | [DLD Rental Index](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/rental-index/rental-index#/) |

DEWA's page ties the two together: "When you get your Ejari, you will immediately receive an SMS and Welcome email from DEWA with your DEWA account details". DLD's FAQ states the same dependency from its side: "all customers will be required to obtain Ejari for DEWA Move-in service".

Residence visas are a separate question. GDRFA Dubai's FAQ asks for an attested tenancy contract and the latest electricity and water bill for residence stamping, and it does not mention Ejari by name. Ask GDRFA what it accepts as attestation before you apply.

The rents in our area guides come from contracts registered with DLD; [how we calculate the Dubai figures](https://firswoodproperties.ae/about/#dld-figures) explains which ones we count. For example, our [Jumeirah Village Circle guide](https://firswoodproperties.ae/communities/jumeirah-village-circle.html) shows the median rent on new leases signed there in the 12 months to 31 August 2026.

## How we checked

We read DLD's "Register / Renew Tenancy Contract" and "Cancel Tenancy Contract" e-service pages, DLD's Ejari FAQ and frequently asked questions, DEWA's move-in page, the Rental Disputes Center's filing page and GDRFA Dubai's FAQ on 1 October 2026, and copied each fee line as printed. Where DLD's stated total differs from the sum of its own items, we show both. Ejari is a Dubai system, and this guide does not cover tenancy registration in Abu Dhabi. It is general information about DLD's published procedures, not legal advice.

## Common questions

### How much does Ejari cost in Dubai?

DLD lists AED 177.75 for registering or renewing through the Dubai REST app or the DLD website: AED 100 registration, AED 10 knowledge fee, AED 10 innovation fee and a service partner fee of AED 55 plus AED 2.75 VAT. At a real estate trustee centre the service partner fee is AED 95 + VAT and DLD gives the total as AED 220. We checked these on DLD's page on 1 October 2026.

### Who pays for Ejari, the tenant or the landlord?

DLD says the responsibility for registering Ejari is borne by both the tenant and landlord. It adds that in most cases the tenant or the real estate agent is the party who completes the process. Your tenancy contract or agent agreement may say who pays the fee.

### Do I need Ejari to connect DEWA?

Yes. DEWA's move-in page asks tenants for a valid Ejari number, and DLD's FAQ says all customers will be required to obtain Ejari for the DEWA move-in service. DEWA says it sends your account details by SMS and email when the Ejari is issued. DEWA lists a deposit of AED 2,000 for a flat and AED 4,000 for a villa.

### How do I cancel Ejari, and will I get a certificate?

Cancellation is free of charge in the Dubai REST app or the Ejari system, and AED 40 + VAT at a trustee centre. A tenant needs the landlord's approval to cancel a lease that is still valid, but not one that has expired. DLD does not issue certificates or receipts for cancelled Ejari contracts.

### Can I renew Ejari before my lease ends?

Yes. DLD's FAQ confirms a tenancy contract can be renewed before it expires, and renewal uses the same e-service and the same fee lines as a first registration. If the rent is changing, read our [RERA rent calculator](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/rera-rent-calculator.html) for the increase limits and the 90-day notice rule.

### Can a tenant register Ejari without the landlord?

A tenant can start a registration in the Dubai REST app or at a trustee centre, but the landlord must approve it. DLD says the request is cancelled automatically if the landlord does not approve within 5 days.

Our [property management](https://firswoodproperties.ae/services/property-management.html) page explains what an owner brief should cover, including the property's current occupancy. Buying rather than renting? Our guide to [DLD fees](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/dld-fees.html) lists the registration costs for a purchase. For a question about a particular tenancy, send the contract dates and the property type through our [enquiry form](https://firswoodproperties.ae/#contact).

Cite as: Firswood Properties, *Ejari registration in Dubai: fees, documents and renewal*, 2 October 2026.

## Sources & further reading

Sources checked 1 October 2026.

- [Dubai Land Department: Register / Renew Tenancy Contract (Ejari)](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/)
- [Dubai Land Department: Cancel Tenancy Contract](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/cancel-tenancy-contract/)
- [Dubai Land Department: Ejari FAQs](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/campaign-for-ejari-services/)
- [Dubai Land Department: frequently asked questions](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/frequently-asked-questions/)
- [Dubai Land Department: real estate registration trustee offices](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/real-estate-registration-trustee-centres/registration-trustee)
- [Dubai Land Department: Dubai REST](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/dubai-rest/)
- [Dubai Land Department: Tenancy Guide (PDF)](https://dubailand.gov.ae/media/mijnfixi/tenancyguideen.pdf)
- [Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. 33 of 2008 amending Law No. 26 of 2007](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20(33)%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.html)
- [DEWA: activation of electricity and water (move-in)](https://dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/supply-management/activation-of-electricity-water-move-in)
- [Rental Disputes Center: register a first instance lawsuit (rental)](https://rdc.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-first-instance-lawsuit-rental/)
- [GDRFA Dubai: frequently asked questions](https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/faq)
- [Dubai Land Department: Rental Index calculator](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/rental-index/rental-index#/)
- [UAE Government portal: Value Added Tax](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/taxation/vat/valueaddedtaxvat)

## Keep reading

- [DLD fees 2026: buyer and seller costs](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/dld-fees.html)
- [DLD project status: how to check](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/dld-project-status.html)
- [Oqood: off-plan registration and fees](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/oqood.html)
- [RERA rent calculator and rental index](https://firswoodproperties.ae/insights/rera-rent-calculator.html)

---

Firswood Properties L.L.C, Unit 22, 20th Floor, The Prime Tower, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. RERA ORN 59926. Email info@firswoodproperties.ae, telephone +971 50 185 5699. Enquiries: https://firswoodproperties.ae/#contact