Ejari registration: a guide for Dubai landlords

What is Ejari

Ejari(Arabic for “my rent”) is the online registration system operated by RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) under the Dubai Land Department. Every residential and commercial tenancy contract in Dubai must be registered with Ejari.

Registration creates an official record of the tenancy linked to the property’s Title Deed, the landlord’s identity, and the tenant’s identity. The Ejari certificate issued after registration is the document that unlocks DEWA, visa sponsorship, and most other administrative processes for the tenant.

Legal basis: Ejari registration is mandatory under Dubai Decree No. 26 of 2013. Unregistered tenancies have reduced legal standing in the event of a dispute.

Why Ejari matters for you as a landlord

Beyond legal compliance, Ejari protects your interests in several ways:

• Legal standing in disputes. If you need to pursue a tenant for unpaid rent or property damage, the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) requires an Ejari certificate as part of the case file. Without it, your claim is significantly weakened.
• Proof of tenancy end date. A registered Ejari provides a clear record of when the lease ends, which is critical if you need to recover the property.
• Rent increase enforcement. Any rent increase at renewal that you wish to enforce through the RDSC requires an existing registered Ejari.
• Protection against sub-letting. An Ejari record tied to a specific tenant makes it easier to identify and challenge unauthorised sub-letting.

Who registers Ejari: you or the tenant

Either party can initiate the registration. In practice, the tenant usually handles it because the Ejari certificate is primarily their document (needed for DEWA, visa sponsorship, children’s school enrolment, and more).

However, you as the landlord must supply your documents for the registration to proceed. Clarify this at lease signing and set a timeline: registration should happen before or on the move-in date, not weeks later.

If you prefer to control the process yourself (for example, if you have had issues with delayed registration in the past), you can initiate and complete the registration via the Dubai REST app or Ejari website, provided you have the tenant’s documents.

Documents required from the landlord

For a standard new registration:

• Title Deed (copy): confirms you are the registered owner of the property. The DLD number on the Title Deed links to the Ejari record.
• Emirates ID (copy): for UAE-resident landlords. Non-resident landlords provide a passport copy and visa page.
• Signed tenancy contract: must include the property address, annual rent, payment schedule, and duration. RERA standard contracts are accepted; custom contracts are accepted if they meet minimum content requirements.

For renewals, add:

• Previous Ejari certificate (the one issued for the expired lease)

If a Power of Attorney is acting on your behalf:

• Notarised Power of Attorney document
• Emirates ID of the authorised representative

The registration process step by step

1. 1Agree and sign the tenancy contract with your tenant. Both parties sign; a digital signature is accepted on the Dubai REST app.
2. 2Gather all required documents from both sides. Confirm who will initiate the registration.
3. 3Register online via the Dubai REST app (iOS and Android) or the Ejari website at ejari.ae. Alternatively, visit a registered typing centre in person.
4. 4Upload the signed contract, Title Deed, and Emirates IDs.
5. 5Pay the registration fee (approx. 195 AED online, or 195 AED + 120 to 200 AED service fee at a typing centre).
6. 6Receive the Ejari certificate immediately (online) or within 1 to 2 working days (typing centre). The certificate includes a unique Ejari contract number.
7. 7Share the Ejari certificate with your tenant so they can proceed with DEWA activation and other setup.

Costs and timeline

Online registration via the Dubai REST app typically generates the Ejari certificate within minutes. Typing centre registration takes 1 to 2 working days.

There is no formal rule on who pays the Ejari fee, though it is commonly paid by the tenant since the certificate is primarily their document. Agree this before signing the tenancy contract.

Ejari at renewal

A new Ejari certificate must be issued for every new lease period, including renewals. The old certificate does not carry over.

The renewal Ejari uses the same process as a new registration, with the addition of the previous certificate as a required document. This creates an unbroken chain of registration for the property.

Important: if you plan to increase the rent at renewal, you must give 90 days written notice before the existing lease expires, and the new rent must comply with the RERA Rent Calculator limits. Read more in our rental pricing guide.

Cancellation

If a tenancy ends before the lease expiry date (early termination by mutual agreement), the Ejari registration must be cancelled. Both parties need to consent.

The cancellation can be done online via the Dubai REST app or at a typing centre. Documents required: the original Ejari certificate and Emirates IDs of both parties (or the representative acting under POA).

Do not skip the cancellation step. An active Ejari tied to an old tenant can create complications when registering a new tenancy for the same property.