How much can my landlord increase my rent in Dubai?

Under RERA Decree 43 of 2013, the permitted increase depends on how far your current rent sits below the RERA rental index: 0% if within 10% of the index, 5% if 11–20% below, 10% if 21–30% below, 15% if 31–40% below, and 20% if more than 40% below. NEST IQ Check calculates your exact figure from your rent and area.

How do I protect my security deposit in Dubai?

Create a signed move-in condition record with photographs of every room before you take the keys, and repeat it at move-out. A shared, timestamped record both parties signed is the primary evidence that prevents deposit disputes at the Dubai Rental Disputes Centre. NEST IQ produces a certified, tamper-evident record.

What notice period applies to a Dubai tenancy renewal?

Under UAE rental law, a landlord must give at least 90 days’ notice before renewal to change rent or terms, and eviction on specific legal grounds generally requires 12 months’ notice via notary public or registered mail. NEST IQ’s assistant Nia explains the rules for your situation; it is informational, not legal advice.

NEST IQ is a Dubai rental platform that landlords and tenants use together on one shared account — providing certified move-in/move-out condition records, a RERA rent-increase calculator, maintenance tracking, on-record messaging, and Nia, an AI assistant for Dubai tenancy law. It is free to start.

How to Protect Your Security Deposit in Dubai

A move-in and move-out condition record is the single best way to get your Dubai security deposit back. Here’s how deposits work under UAE rental law and how to document your property.

Updated 13 July 2026 · NEST IQ · Informational, not legal advice

Why deposits become disputes

Most Dubai deposit disputes are not about bad intentions — they are about missing information. Without a record of what the property looked like on day one, every scuff at move-out becomes a negotiation, and the deposit becomes the bargaining chip.

The fix is simple: photograph and sign the condition of the property together, at move-in and again at move-out. The record both parties signed is the primary evidence at the Dubai Rental Disputes Centre.

How security deposits work in Dubai

A deposit is typically 5% of annual rent for an unfurnished property (around 10% furnished), held by the landlord and refundable at the end of the tenancy. Deductions are only permitted for genuine damage beyond fair wear and tear, or for unpaid obligations such as utility bills.

Your move-in checklist

Before you take the keys, capture: an overview of every room; floors, walls and ceilings; the kitchen (cabinets open and closed, appliances, sink); bathrooms (fittings, tiles, grout); the AC units; windows and balcony; and any existing marks or damage. Date every photo, and have both parties confirm the record.

Do it the easy way

NEST IQ turns this into a guided, joint inspection: both sides photograph each room, sign one locked record, and receive a certified, tamper-evident document — sealed with a content hash and on-site location proof. At move-out, MIMO Vision compares the photos and flags what actually changed. Create a record free →

Frequently asked questions

How much is a security deposit in Dubai?

A security deposit in Dubai is typically 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished property and around 10% for a furnished one. It is refundable at the end of the tenancy, less the cost of any genuine damage beyond fair wear and tear.

Can a landlord keep my deposit for normal wear and tear?

No. Landlords may only deduct for genuine damage or unpaid obligations — not for fair wear and tear from normal use. A signed move-in record showing the original condition is what settles this.

What if there’s no move-in record?

Without a dated move-in record, deposit disputes come down to one side’s word against the other, and they often end up at the Dubai Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). A shared, timestamped condition record avoids this entirely.

How long does a landlord have to return the deposit?

There is no single fixed statutory period, but the deposit should be returned promptly after move-out once the property condition is agreed. Documenting move-out condition speeds this up.