Residential Rents in the UAE
Dubai apartments by size
| Apartment | Average rent, AED a year |
|---|---|
| Studio | 45,118 |
| One bedroom | 71,516 |
| Two bedrooms | 109,551 |
| Three bedrooms | 184,391 |
Source: Bayut: Apartments for rent in Dubai, average rents from DLD transactions3
Dubai registered 118,385 new and 135,607 renewed tenancy contracts in Q1 2026.2
Rents per square foot by emirate
| Emirate or city | Asking rent, AED per sq ft a year, September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dubai | 115 |
| Abu Dhabi | 98 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 57 |
| Al Ain | 33 |
| Fujairah | 33 |
| Ajman | 31 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 29 |
Source: Bayut: Property rental index, UAE (September 2026)4
These are asking rents on listings, which run above the averages on registered leases. Use them to compare emirates rather than as a price.
Abu Dhabi
New-lease rents in Abu Dhabi rose 17% for apartments and 9% for villas in H1 2026, and 21% and 16% within investment zones.5
Since 3 June 2026, all residential, commercial and industrial renewals in Abu Dhabi are processed at a 0% increase until further notice, based on the last registered Tawtheeq contract.6
Fees on top of the rent in Dubai
- A housing fee of 5% of the annual rent, collected through the DEWA bill.
- Ejari registration of the lease: AED 177.75 online.
- Rent increases on renewal are capped by Decree No. 43 of 2013 and the RERA rental index.
Source: UAE Government Portal: Leasing a property in the UAE; Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract; Dubai Legislation: Decree No. 43 of 2013 Determining Rent Increase for Real Property7,9,8
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is rent in Dubai in 2026?
Average residential rents were AED 76.1 per sq ft a year in Q1 2026. On DLD-registered leases, a studio averaged about AED 45,100 a year, a one-bedroom AED 71,500 and a two-bedroom AED 109,600.
Sources
- Cavendish Maxwell: Dubai Residential Market Performance Q1 2026
- Dubai Land Department: Dubai's rental market in Q1 2026
- Bayut: Apartments for rent in Dubai, average rents from DLD transactions
- Bayut: Property rental index, UAE (September 2026)
- ADREC: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report for H1 2026
- ADREC: Temporary update to the annual rental cap increase in Abu Dhabi
- UAE Government Portal: Leasing a property in the UAE
- Dubai Legislation: Decree No. 43 of 2013 Determining Rent Increase for Real Property
- Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.