Renting a home or commercial space in Dubai involves several essential steps and Ejari is one of the most important among them. Whether you’re a new resident signing your first lease or a long-term tenant renewing your contract, Ejari registration is mandatory to legally validate your tenancy in Dubai. Let’s break down everything you need to know about Ejari Dubai — from what it is and why it matters, to how you can register or cancel it.
What Is Ejari?
The term ‘Ejari’ literally means ‘my rent’ in Arabic. Introduced by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under Law No. 26 of 2007, Ejari is the official system used to register all tenancy contracts in Dubai. As per the law, every leasing agreement — residential or commercial — must be registered through Ejari to be considered legally valid.
Ejari standardises rental contracts across the emirate, ensuring the landlord and tenants follow a government-approved format. This promotes fairness, prevents manipulation of terms and protects the rights of both tenants and landlords.
Once the tenancy contract is registered, the system issues an Ejari certificate and a unique Ejari number. These documents legally validate the lease and act as formal proof of the agreement.
Why Is Ejari Mandatory in Dubai?
Ejari is much more than a tenancy formality. It’s a legal requirement with several necessary functions:
1. Legal Protection for Tenants & Landlords
- Ejari makes your lease legally binding under Dubai’s rental laws.
- It prevents unlawful rent increases, sudden evictions or helps in filing a rental dispute in Dubai.
- In case of a conflict, the Ejari contract can be presented to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC).
2. Required for Essential Services
A valid Ejari is needed for:
- DEWA (electricity & water) activation
- Telecom/internet connection
- Move-in permits for gated communities
- Home services that require address verification
3. Necessary for Visa & Residency Processes
Ejari is required when:
- Sponsoring family visas
- Updating personal address with government portals
- Renewing residency visas in some cases
4. Transparency & Fraud Prevention
Ejari helps regulators:
- Track rental trends
- Prevent duplicate leasing of the same property
- Stop landlords from issuing informal, unregulated contracts
Ejari essentially brings fairness, consistency and clarity to Dubai’s rental market.
Ejari Registration in Dubai
There are two methods for registering your rental contract with Ejari in Dubai: online and offline.
- Visit Real Estate Trustee Centres or Ejari-authorised typing centres in Dubai
- Register online through the Dubai Land Department website
- Sign up using mobile applications, Dubai REST (iOS| Android) and DubaiNow (iOS | Android)
Ejari Online Registration
The Ejari online registration process is seamless, fast and easy. There are three service channels through which you can apply for Ejari online registration:
- Dubai REST App
- DubaiNow App
- Dubai Land Department’s website (Ejari system)
Ejari Registration VIA Dubai REST App
Potential tenants can register for a tenancy contract on the Dubai REST app by following these steps:
- Download the Dubai Rest app
- Go to the ‘Services’ section tab
- Select RERA
- Choose ‘Register Contract’
- Fill the form
- Upload the scanned documents
- Pay the fees online
However, the landlord’s or the property’s representative’s approval is mandatory to further the process. Once approval is granted, your Ejari certificate will be issued instantly via email.
Ejari Registration at Ejari Typing Centre
Here are the detailed steps to follow when registering your tenancy contract with Ejari at one of the Real Estate Trustee Centres or Ejari Typing Centres in Dubai:
- Head to any of the listed centres near you.
- Submit the required documents to the customer service representative.
- The representative will enter the data into the system to verify and approve the documents.
- Pay the fees and the representative will hand over the payment receipt for the record.
After submitting all required documents and completing the payment, your Ejari registration certificate is typically issued within 7 to 10 minutes.
Documents Required for Ejari Registration
If the property owner/landlord is applying for Ejari registration, they are required to submit the following documents:
Via the Ejari App:
- Copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract (applicable for both individuals and companies)
Via Real Estate Services Trustee Centres:
- Original Unified Tenancy Contract
- Emirates ID of the applicant (must be presented)
- Power of Attorney (if the applicant is representing someone):
- If issued in Dubai, only the POA number needs to be provided
- If issued in another emirate, the full POA document must be attached
Ejari Registration Fees
The Ejari fees to be paid by the applicant are listed as under:
If you are applying for registration online through the app or website
- AED 100 for the registration of the Ejari contract
- AED 10 knowledge fee
- AED 10 innovation fee
- AED 55 service partner fee
- AED 2.75 VAT on the service partner fee
Total Cost: AED 177.75
If you are applying for Ejari registration via Real Estate Service Trustee Centres:
- AED 100 for tenancy contract registration
- AED 10 knowledge fee
- AED 10 innovation fee
- AED 95 service partner fee plus VAT applied on service partner fee
Total Cost: AED 220
How To Download an Ejari Certificate
You can easily download your Ejari certificate online by following these simple steps:
- Visit the official DLD website.
- Enter your registered mobile number, along with the DEWA Premise Number or Municipality Number linked to your tenancy. (DEWA Premise Number applies only to Dubai Electricity users; Municipality Numbers work universally).
- Click on ‘Download PDF’ to instantly get your Ejari certificate.
Ejari Offices in Dubai
Real Estate Services Trustee Centres are spread across Dubai, making it easy for tenants and landlords to access Ejari-related services in person. Below are some of the commonly used centres along with their contact details.
| Ejari Office Location | Contact Number |
| Al Twar Centre, Al Nahda Road | +971-4-263-6622 |
| 1st Floor, Al Barsha Mall, Al Barsha 2 | +971-4-263-6622 |
| Dubai Municipality, Manara Centre | +971-4-333-6767 |
| Dubai Municipality Center, Al Nahda Road, Al Twar 1st | +971-4-333-6767 |
| Office 1, Ground Floor, Emaar Business Park 3, The Greens, Sheikh Zayed Road | +971-4-457-1111 |
| Ground Floor, Mazaya Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road | +971-4-447-7918 |
| Business Park Building A2, Dubai World Central, Dubai South | +971-4-884-4444 |
| Business Venue Building, Oud Metha | +971-4-404-0404 |
It is important to note here that some Trustee Centre contact numbers may change and users should confirm via the Dubai Land Department website for the latest list.
Ejari Cancellation Process
For landlords, cancelling an Ejari contract is an essential step when a tenant moves out. Under RERA regulations, each property can have only one active Ejari registration at a time. If the previous contract is not cancelled, a new tenant will be unable to register their tenancy.
When Can Ejari Be Cancelled?
- Early termination of a rental contract
- When both parties decide not to renew the contract at the end of the lease
Documents Required for Cancellation
To cancel an Ejari contract, you will typically need:
- Original Unified Tenancy Contract – must be submitted for cancellation. If the contract is still active, it should be presented.
- Emirates ID of the applicant – must be shown.
- Official Power of Attorney (if the applicant is a representative): If issued in Dubai, only the POA number is required. If issued in another emirate, the full document must be attached.
- Letter from the property owner requesting cancellation – required if the contract is still active.
Ways to Cancel Ejari
You can cancel your Ejari contract using any of the following methods:
- Online via the DLD Website
- Through the Dubai REST App
- By visiting a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre
Note: Online cancellation is free of charge. If you visit a service centre in person, a fee of AED 40+VAT applies.
FAQs
What Is an Ejari Number?
When a lease agreement is registered with the Ejari system, you will be provided with a unique Ejari number. This number is required for various processes, especially when applying for a DEWA connection or disconnection.
Who Pays for Ejari Dubai?
Though the landlord and tenant both can apply for Ejari registration, the tenants usually pay the Ejari registration fees.
Who is responsible for registering Ejari — the tenant or the landlord?
Legally, the landlord is responsible for registering the tenancy contract. In practice, tenants often handle the registration themselves, especially for online submissions or if immediate Ejari is needed for utilities or visa purposes.
How much are Ejari registration and renewal fees in Dubai?
- Via Dubai REST App / DLD website: AED 177.75 (includes service partner fee and VAT)
- Via Trustee Centres: AED 220
Ejari renewal fees are the same as registration fees.
That wraps up our guide. If you need more information or have any queries about registering a tenancy contract in Dubai, you can reach out to Dubai Land Department (DLD) via their toll-free number 800 4488 or email info@dubailand.gov.ae.
Before signing any lease agreement, make sure you’re familiar with RERA tenancy laws — and if you wish, use the official RERA Dubai calculator to estimate potential rent changes. For those looking for properties for rent in Dubai, you can explore listings on major UAE property portals to find options that suit your needs.
Stay tuned to our dubizzle’s property blog for more insights on tenancy laws, lease agreements and property updates across the Emirates.
