Is it legal for my rent to increase by over 20%?

Dear Inquirer

We are pleased to serve you and address your inquiries.

Usually, the increase will be based on the rental index in DLD.

If anything else is required, don’t hesitate to contact us via email or call our offices in Dubai or Sharjah.

Jasim Al Haddad Law Firm

Legal Counsel and Consultations

Dear Questioner,

According to UAE law, landlords are allowed to increase the rent of a property if the current rent is significantly lower than the average rent for similar properties in the same area.

However, the increase cannot exceed 20% of the current rent. In your case, the increase from AED 150,000 to AED 220,000 is more than 20%, which means it is not legal.

You can negotiate with your landlord and try to come to a mutually agreeable rent amount.

If you are unable to reach an agreement, you can file a complaint with the Rent Dispute Settlement Committee in your emirate.

They will review the case and make a decision on the appropriate rent increase.

Dear questioner,

You are not liable to pay the rental increase according to the evaluation certificate; you are only required to follow the RERA rental index.

For this, you can approach the RDC and check the liable increase.

Dear questioner,

Please refer to the RDC rental calculator; as per Dubai rental laws, you are only required to follow the rental increase according to the RDC calculator but not the Evaluation certificate.

If it is in accordance with RERA evaluations, then it can be accepted. Otherwise, no.