Last updated: July 28, 2026 | Educational guide | Not legal advice
What the Rental Index Does
The Dubai rental index is designed to compare a tenancy's current rent with the market rent for similar property details. Dubai Land Department describes the service as a way to calculate the rental increase and average market rent by entering the required area data.
This matters because tenants and landlords often argue from different numbers. A landlord may point to listing prices. A tenant may point to last year's contract. The index is the better starting point because it is the official renewal reference.
Inputs to Prepare
- Current annual rent in AED.
- Contract end date or renewal date.
- Property type, such as apartment or villa.
- Area, building, or municipality details where required.
- Bedroom count and size where required.
- Ejari contract number or DEWA premise number if the official form asks for them.
How to Use This Site With the Official Index
- Enter your current annual rent and estimated market rent in the calculator.
- Check whether the rough result is 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%.
- Open the official Dubai Land Department rental index and enter the full property details.
- Compare the official result with the landlord's proposed rent.
- If the landlord's figure is higher, ask for the index basis in writing before agreeing.
Evidence to Save
Save everything before you respond. A clean file of evidence can turn a vague argument into a simple renewal discussion.
- Screenshot or PDF of the official rental index result.
- Your existing tenancy contract and Ejari details.
- The landlord's rent increase notice with date and proposed amount.
- Emails, WhatsApp messages, or registered notices about renewal.
- Comparable listings only as supporting context, not as the main proof.
Record Each Index Attempt
If you rerun the index with a different area name, property type, bedroom count, rent amount, or renewal date, save each input set separately. The final screenshot is weaker if nobody can see which inputs produced it.
Use the rental index evidence worksheet and the area input checklist before sending a written reply.
If the Index Inputs Do Not Match Your Building
Do not force a number from memory. Write down the exact area, property type, bedroom count, contract date, current rent, and any identifier fields the official form accepted, then keep that note beside the saved result.
If the apartment, villa, or area choice changes the output, compare the apartment and villa index checklist with the area input checklist. For a reply, cite the result only with the inputs that produced it.
Index Result vs Asking Prices
Asking prices on property portals can be useful market context, but they are not the same as an official rental index result. Listings may be optimistic, stale, furnished, upgraded, or in a different building quality tier. Use them carefully.
If a proposed increase is based only on listings, ask for the official rental index result. This keeps the discussion factual and reduces the chance of paying more just because the market is noisy.
If the Proposed Increase Looks Too High
Do not answer from memory. Put the official index result, current rent, proposed rent, notice date, and contract details in one place before replying. Then use a short written response that asks the landlord or agent to confirm the calculation basis.
Next-step tools: rent increase negotiation checklist, reply email template, and evidence log.
Official Source
Source link checked July 22, 2026. Open the Dubai Land Department rental index calculator. If the official tool is unavailable or the form fields do not match your case, check again later or use Dubai REST app channels.
Download the rental index worksheet
Use the worksheet to record the property details you entered, the official result, your current rent, proposed rent, notice date, and evidence filenames before replying to the landlord or agent.
Download rental index evidence worksheet
Quick FAQ
Is the rental index the same as property portal asking prices?
No. Portal asking prices can be useful context, but the Dubai Land Department rental index is the official source to check before comparing a proposed renewal increase.
What should I save after checking the rental index?
Save the official result, current tenancy contract, Ejari details if available, landlord notice, proposed rent, calculator estimate, and written communication about the renewal.
Should I record every rental index attempt?
Yes. If you rerun the index with different area, property type, bedroom, date, or rent inputs, save each input set so the final number can be traced later.
What if the rental index inputs do not match my building?
Record the exact inputs that were available, save the result, and compare apartment or villa guidance before replying. If the official form does not fit your case, use official channels or qualified advice rather than guessing.
What should I do if the proposed rent is higher than the index result?
Keep the official result and landlord notice together, then reply in writing with the figures you checked. The negotiation checklist and email template on this site can help organize that response, but they are not legal advice.
Is this RERA rental index guide legal advice?
No. This is an educational checklist and calculation aid. For disputes or unusual cases, check official channels or qualified professional advice.