Abu Dhabi has a flourishing real estate market and regulations are in place to ensure smooth processes. Similar to Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq is an online and integrated system that allows registration, renewal, or termination of tenancy contracts in the UAE’s capital.
Tawtheeq was introduced in 2011 to regulate tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi. Let’s go through how Tawtheeq Abu Dhabi regulates tenancy contracts and the processes.
WHAT IS TAWTHEEQ?
Abu Dhabi Municipality introduced the Tawtheeq system to ensure smooth registration of tenancy contracts and regulate the landlord and tenants’ rights in Abu Dhabi. Tawtheeq means ‘attestation’ in Arabic as the system authorises the tenancy agreements. That said, it helps establish a good relationship between the landlord and tenant.
Unlike Ejari which needs to be registered by tenants, it is the landlord’s responsibility to register a tenancy agreement in the Tawtheeq system. Besides, Tawtheeq is a digital system with a multilingual (English and Arabic) interface. Moreover, this online system streamlines the registration, renewal, or updating processes to avoid any conflicts and confusion.
Let’s go through the details on how to register a tenancy contract when you rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi or any other type of property.
HOW TO REGISTER A NEW TENANCY CONTRACT ON TAWTHEEQ
Landlords can initiate the request on the Tawtheeq online system or visit the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipality and Transport. Here is the list of required documents for Tawtheeq registration:
DOCUMENT
The landlord needs to initiate the application but a tenant may initiate a request to register a new tenancy contract. However, the tenant will need the approval of the landlord and the following documents will be required.
- Application Form (In case of onsite registration)
- Awqaf Approval to issue the contract
- Approval from the Residential Privacy Committee
- Tenant Agent Authorization Letter
- Tenant Company Trade Licence (for commercial properties)
- Marriage certificate or work letter in case of public or private housing
PROCESS
The landlord needs to follow these steps:
- Submit the Request
- Municipality Approval (In case of commercial or industrial property on the residential one or creating a residential contract without occupants’ names
- Pay the Fees
- Issuance of tenancy contract
- Close the Request
Whereas if the tenants initiate the process, they require approval from the landlord. And the lease contract will be registered after paying the fees.
FEES
- Service fees for all lease contracts: 50 AED (if the contract’s duration is less than 4 years)
- Lease contract registration fees: 1% of the first year (for the contract duration of more than 4 years)
- Contract Registration Fee by tenants for the Government owned lands and properties: 5% of the contract value (Commercial and industrial lease contracts are exempted)
- Annual Municipal fee by the tenant for the contracts on the units with Duplicated Premise numbers: 5% of the contract value (Commercial and industrial properties are exempted)
HOW TO RENEW A TENANCY CONTRACT ON TAWTHEEQ
Landlords or tenants can renew Tawtheeq online. That said, the process and documents are similar to the registration of tenancy contracts. Besides, the renewal fee is the same as the registration fee.
HOW TO MODIFY A TENANCY CONTRACT ON TAWTHEEQ
The property owner needs to submit the application form for any modification in the tenancy contract. Alongside this, the landlord needs to submit the tenant agent authorisation letter and tenant company trade licence for commercial or industrial properties. Moreover, the modification service is free of cost.
HOW TO CANCEL, TERMINATE OR CLOSE A TENANCY CONTRACT ON TAWTHEEQ
The landlord needs to fill in the Tawtheeq cancellation form to cancel the tenancy agreement. Moreover, the landlords can terminate or close the lease contract by submitting an application form online or visiting the Abu Dhabi Municipality office. There is no service fee for cancellation, termination, or closing of a tenancy agreement.
BENEFITS OF THE TAWTHEEQ SYSTEM
The Tawtheeq system contributes to the real estate market in Abu Dhabi. That said, this system aims to build a perfect landlord and tenant relationship. Following are the advantages of the Tawtheeq system:
- Authorised tenancy contracts and transactions
- Stores information on the lease contracts, landlords, and tenants
- Simplified procedures to register, renew or terminate the lease contract
- ADDC account is set up automatically when the tenant is registered to the system
FAQs
Who is responsible for registering a tenancy contract in Tawtheeq?
The landlord is primarily responsible for registering tenancy contracts in the Tawtheeq system.
Can tenants renew or modify their tenancy contracts on Tawtheeq?
Yes, tenants can initiate renewal or modifications, but they need the landlord’s approval.
Are there any fees for cancelling or modifying a Tawtheeq tenancy contract?
Modifying, cancelling, or terminating a tenancy contract on Tawtheeq is free of charge.
This is the complete information about the Tawtheeq system. When you rent a house in Abu Dhabi, ensure the landlord registers the tenancy contract on the Tawtheeq system to avoid any future disagreement. Moreover, you can contact the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipality for more information.
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