Ejari renewal in Dubai costs AED 177.75 through the Dubai REST app or DLD website, and AED 219.75 at a Real Estate Services Trustee centre in person — a difference worth knowing before you choose a channel. Renewal is required annually, in line with your tenancy contract, under RERA regulations governing all private tenancy agreements in the emirate. Oplus International Realty has prepared this guide to help tenants and landlords complete the process without unnecessary delay.
What Ejari Is and Why the Annual Registration Matters
Ejari is a government-administered registration system operated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the Dubai Land Department. The name comes from the Arabic phrase for "my rent." Every private tenancy contract in Dubai must be registered in the Ejari system to be legally recognised.
Registration is not a formality that can be skipped without consequence. A current Ejari certificate is the primary document required to file a complaint at the Rental Dispute Centre if a disagreement arises over rent increases, maintenance obligations, or contract terms. Without it, neither party has formal standing in a dispute. This is the legal protection the system exists to provide — not a bureaucratic box to tick.
Beyond dispute access, an active Ejari is required to maintain your DEWA connection, renew residency visas for dependents, and transfer or activate home telecom services. A lapse in registration affects more than your lease.
What to Know Before You Renew
Most guides cover the process clearly. Fewer mention the part RERA reserves the right to change.
RERA and the DLD retain discretion to request documents beyond the standard list at any renewal cycle. This is uncommon, but it does occur — particularly for commercial properties, units that have changed hands recently, or contracts involving a power of attorney. If your renewal is flagged for additional review at a trustee centre, expect a delay of one to three working days. Oplus cannot confirm in advance which specific cases will be selected for additional verification, and buyers or tenants in complex tenancy arrangements should build this buffer into their timeline.
The practical implication: initiate renewal at least 30 days before your current contract expires, not 30 days after it does. Late renewal does not carry an automatic financial penalty under current RERA rules, but it can interrupt DEWA services and create complications with visa renewals that take considerably longer to resolve than the renewal itself.
If you are managing a property for an employer or a family member, the power of attorney document must be current. An expired POA will block renewal at the trustee centre and requires a separate notarisation step before the process can resume.
Documents Required for Ejari Renewal
The following documents apply to residential tenancy renewals. Commercial properties also require a valid trade licence.
- The original unified tenancy contract
- Emirates ID card (tenant and landlord, or authorised representative)
- Copy of the previous Ejari certificate
- Copy of a valid power of attorney (if the applicant is acting on behalf of either party)
Upload clear, legible scans for online renewals. Trustee centres accept originals and copies; confirm with the specific centre before visiting to avoid a return trip.
Renewal Channels — Four Ways to Renew
At a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre
Visit one of the designated REST centres in person. The process at the centre follows four steps: submit documents for verification, pay the renewal fee, receive a receipt, and collect the renewed certificate.
The in-person fee totals AED 219.75, according to DLD's official fee schedule. This is AED 42 more than the online equivalent — the difference lies in the service partner fee, which is AED 95 in person versus AED 55 online, plus the corresponding VAT difference.
Current REST centres handling Ejari renewal in Dubai:
| Centre | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Al Tabu Real Estate Trustee | Al Twar Centre, Al Nahda Road | +971 4 283 8800 |
| Al Manara Centre | Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa 2 | +971 4 338 8181 |
| Al Yalayis Centre | Dubai Investment Park 2 | +971 4 821 5111 |
| Takhlees Government Services | Creek Tower, Deira | +971 4 298 9090 |
| On Time Real Estate | Mazaya Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road | 600 570 007 |
| Al Tabu (Branch) | Al Barsha Mall, First Floor | +971 4 283 8800 |
| Injaz Real Estate | The Greens, Emaar Business Park 3 | +971 4 457 1111 |
| Tamleek Real Estate | Emaar Square, Building 2, Downtown | +971 4 425 6666 |
Contact the centre directly before visiting to confirm current operating hours, as these can change during public holidays.
Through the DLD Website
Sign in to the Dubai Land Department website using your Emirates ID. Upload scanned copies of the required documents, pay by credit or debit card or via Naqodi, and submit the application. A DLD representative reviews the submission and, upon successful verification, issues the new Ejari certificate by email.
Through the Dubai REST App
Install the Dubai REST app on your phone. Tap "RERA," then "Register Ejari Contract." Enter the tenancy details, attach scanned document copies, and pay the renewal fee online. The app mirrors the DLD website process and uses the same fee structure: AED 177.75 total.
The app is the fastest channel for straightforward residential renewals with no POA complications. Processing times are comparable to the website, and the certificate arrives by email.
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Contact us via WhatsAppEjari Renewal Fees — Full Breakdown
Both online channels (DLD website and Dubai REST app) carry the same fee structure. In-person renewal at a trustee centre is more expensive due to the higher service partner fee.
Online renewal (DLD website or Dubai REST app):
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | AED 100.00 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10.00 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10.00 |
| Service partner fee | AED 55.00 |
| VAT on service partner fee | AED 2.75 |
| Total | AED 177.75 |
In-person renewal (Real Estate Services Trustee Centre):
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | AED 100.00 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10.00 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10.00 |
| Service partner fee | AED 95.00 |
| VAT on service partner fee | AED 4.75 |
| Total | AED 219.75 |
Fees verified against the DLD official fee structure as of April 2026. No additional fees apply to standard residential renewals.
Ejari Renewal and Renting in Dubai — The Broader Context
Ejari registration is one of several obligations tenants and landlords carry under Dubai's tenancy framework. For a full picture of tenant rights, rental increase rules, and the Rental Dispute Centre process, Oplus has covered these in our guide to renting property in Dubai.
If you are still searching for a unit, Oplus's Dubai rental listings include verified properties across Business Bay, JVC, Al Barsha, and Dubai Marina, with agent support for tenancy registration once a contract is agreed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ejari registration is valid for one year, aligned with your tenancy contract. Renewal should begin at least 30 days before the contract expiry date. This buffer protects against delays that could interrupt DEWA services or visa-dependent processes. There is no grace period built into the DEWA connection rules — a lapsed Ejari can trigger a disconnection notice before most tenants expect it.
In most standard residential renewals, the tenant can complete the renewal independently using the existing signed tenancy contract, Emirates ID, and the previous Ejari certificate. Landlord participation is not required for the renewal process itself, though the underlying tenancy contract must already carry both signatures. If a new contract was issued at renewal time, both parties must sign it before the Ejari registration can proceed.
The tenancy contract remains a private document between two parties but loses its legal standing under Dubai's regulatory framework. Without an active Ejari, the tenant cannot access the Rental Dispute Centre, which means any dispute over rent increases or maintenance obligations must be resolved informally — an outcome that consistently favours the party with more leverage, typically the landlord.
RERA's current rules do not impose a direct financial fine for late renewal. The consequences are indirect but significant: DEWA may issue a disconnection warning, visa renewals for dependents can be blocked, and access to the Rental Dispute Centre is unavailable for the period the registration lapses. These outcomes can cost considerably more in time and disruption than the renewal itself.
A change in tenant requires a new tenancy contract rather than a simple renewal. The Ejari must be cancelled for the departing tenant and registered fresh for the incoming tenant. The property owner or authorised manager handles this through the same channels as a standard new registration. The previous Ejari certificate should be retained as a record during the transfer process.
Ejari cancellation is handled through the Dubai REST app or at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. The landlord or authorised agent submits the cancellation request with the relevant tenancy documents. RERA processes the cancellation and updates the registry. Tenants should confirm cancellation has been completed and retain confirmation for their records, particularly if they are leaving the country or transferring tenancy elsewhere.
The registration fee components remain the same for commercial properties. However, commercial renewals require an additional document — a valid trade licence — and may attract closer administrative scrutiny, particularly for units in mixed-use buildings. If additional document review is triggered, the timeline extends. The fee structure does not increase, but planning for a longer processing window is advisable.
Yes, through a registered power of attorney. The POA document must be notarised and valid at the time of submission. An expired or improperly notarised POA will block the renewal at any channel. Landlords based outside the UAE managing Dubai properties remotely should verify their POA expiry date and the specific notarisation requirements for their country of residence before initiating renewal.
Written by: Oplus International Realty Editorial Team
About Oplus: Licensed UAE real estate brokerage based in Abu Dhabi, covering Abu Dhabi and Dubai off-plan, secondary market, and investment properties. RERA registered. oplusrealty.com
Last reviewed: April 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Consult a RERA-licensed professional before any property decision.
Sources Dubai Land Department — official Ejari fee schedule RERA — tenancy contract registration requirements Dubai REST app — official registration channel, Government of Dubai