Short answer: before renting or managing property in the UAE, register the tenancy (Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi), check that the agent or property manager is registered with the authority, and read the contract carefully for rent, payment schedule, maintenance and termination terms.
Key takeaways
- Register every tenancy contract: Ejari in Dubai and Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi.
- Verify the agent’s or broker’s registration and the property’s ownership before paying anything.
- Put every agreed term in writing, including maintenance, deposit and notice periods.
- A property manager’s duties and fees should be set out in a written management agreement.
What should tenants check before renting?
- Who the landlord is. Ask for proof of ownership or authority to lease, and check that the title deed matches the person you are dealing with.
- The agent. Real estate brokers must be registered with the relevant authority. In Dubai, ask for the broker’s registration details and confirm them with the Dubai Land Department (RERA).
- The contract. Check the rent, number of payments, deposit, tenancy period, renewal terms and who pays for maintenance and utilities.
- The condition of the unit. Record the condition with dated photos and a signed handover note.
- Registration. Make sure the tenancy is registered, because registration is generally needed for utilities and many official procedures.
What is Ejari, and what is Tawtheeq?
| System | Emirate | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Ejari | Dubai | Registration of tenancy contracts with the Dubai Land Department |
| Tawtheeq | Abu Dhabi | Registration of tenancy contracts through the Department of Municipalities and Transport |
Other emirates have their own registration processes, so confirm the local requirement before signing.
What should landlords check before appointing a property manager?
- The company’s licence and, where required, its registration with the real estate regulator.
- Exactly what is included: tenant sourcing, rent collection, maintenance coordination, inspections and reporting.
- How fees are charged, for example a percentage of rent or a fixed fee, and which costs are passed on.
- How rent and tenant deposits are held and when you receive them.
- How often you receive statements and how maintenance approvals work.
What should a tenancy or management contract include?
Names and contact details of both sides, a description of the unit, the rent and payment dates, the deposit and how it is returned, the duration and renewal terms, maintenance responsibilities, notice periods and how disputes are handled. Keep signed copies and payment receipts.
What are the red flags?
- Pressure to pay a deposit or fees before seeing the unit or the contract.
- An agent or landlord who cannot show registration or ownership documents.
- Requests to pay in cash or to a personal account without a receipt.
- Listings priced far below similar units nearby.
- Reluctance to register the tenancy.
How do you find a property company in the directory?
Browse real estate and property management companies in the UAE and contact two or three with the same brief.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ejari mandatory in Dubai?
Yes. Tenancy contracts in Dubai are required to be registered through Ejari, and registration is needed for many services such as utilities.
What is Tawtheeq?
Tawtheeq is the system for registering tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi.
Who pays the real estate agent’s commission?
It depends on the agreement and local practice. Agree who pays and how much in writing before you proceed.
How do I report a rental dispute?
Each emirate has a process. In Dubai, rental disputes are handled through the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre of the Dubai Land Department.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rental rules vary by emirate and change over time, so confirm them with the relevant authority.
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