Practical guide · Dubai
Do I have to pay tenancy renewal fees in Dubai?
An extra fee just to renew your tenancy is different from the official Ejari charge. Dubai Land Department's published guidance says landlords and their representatives cannot impose lease renewal fees. Ejari registration still has its own charges. Ask for a breakdown before paying.
Can my landlord charge me just to renew the contract?
DLD's published guidance says no. Its statement dated 26 February 2020 also covers property management companies and leasing offices acting for the landlord. It says they cannot impose a fee simply for renewing the lease. Read DLD's guidance.
Is the Ejari fee the same as a renewal fee?
No. Ejari is Dubai's tenancy registration system. A charge for registering the renewed contract should be shown separately from any additional agent or management charge.
Ask for an itemised invoice showing what each amount covers, who receives it and whether VAT is included. A single amount labelled “renewal package” does not explain the charges.
Example case — an unexplained package: In this fictional example, a tenant receives a request for AED 1,000 described only as “annual renewal”. The message does not say whether Ejari is included. The tenant asks for each charge to be listed separately before agreeing to the total.
The useful question is not only “Why is it expensive?” It is “What exactly am I being charged for?” Without the breakdown, the tenant cannot compare the official registration cost with the extra amount requested.
How much does Ejari renewal cost?
DLD lists these totals for one registration or renewal:
- AED 177.75 through Dubai REST or the DLD website.
- AED 220 through a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
These are the totals on DLD's service page, checked on 9 November 2026. Confirm the payable amount when applying. An additional private service charge should not be presented as part of the official fee without explanation.
Example calculation — two separate charges: Suppose an invoice lists AED 177.75 for online Ejari and an extra AED 500 as an admin fee. The total is AED 177.75 + AED 500 = AED 677.75. The AED 500 is a made-up amount for this example, not an official rate.
The tenant should query the extra AED 500 separately. Showing the correct Ejari amount on the same invoice does not explain the private charge. Ask what work it covers and why the tenant is being asked to pay it.
What if the agent calls it an admin fee?
Ask what service you are paying for. A different label does not explain whether the charge is justified.
If the agent says you separately hired them to provide a service, request the written agreement and description of that work. Do not assume every charge is valid because it appears on an invoice, or that every separately agreed service is covered by the same rule. Ask DLD to clarify a disputed charge before accepting it.
What if the renewal fee is written in my contract?
A clause alone does not settle the issue. DLD's renewal-fee statement says such a clause should not be included. Send the clause and invoice to DLD or the Rental Disputes Center (RDC) for guidance on your circumstances. Keep the rest of your tenancy obligations separate from the fee dispute.
When requesting help, include the full clause rather than a cropped sentence. Explain whether the charge is being requested by the owner, the owner’s management company or an agent you instructed separately. This helps the person reviewing your question understand who is charging you and for what.
Can I renew Ejari without the original agent?
Check which DLD channel your tenancy qualifies for. The mobile route requires the tenant and landlord to be individuals and the owner's details to be up to date. Trustee-centre registration has restrictions where the property is managed by a company or an owner with Ejari access.
The service page lists the required tenancy contract and supporting documents. Do not assume you can complete renewal without the necessary contract or approvals.
What should I say when asking about the fee?
Send a clear written request:
“Please send me a breakdown of the renewal charges, separating Ejari from any admin or service fee. For each extra charge, please explain the service, who is charging it and the basis for payment. Please also confirm the steps to renew my tenancy and pay the rent.”
Keep their reply, your contract, invoices and receipts together.
Before sending the message, check that you have:
- The current contract and any renewal offer.
- The invoice or WhatsApp message requesting payment.
- Any separate service agreement you signed with the agent.
- Your previous Ejari receipt, if available.
Start the conversation before the contract expires. If the answer is given over a phone call, send a short written follow-up confirming what was discussed. Avoid sharing identity documents or private tenancy paperwork in public groups.
What if the landlord refuses to renew or accept rent?
Keep a written record and seek RDC guidance promptly. Do not let the disagreement become an unpaid-rent problem.
RDC's Offer and Deposit service allows an application for a judge's order to offer rent to the landlord. Ask whether it suits your case; applying does not automatically resolve the renewal dispute.
Example case — renewal is held up: In this fictional situation, a tenant says they are ready to renew and pay rent, but the management office insists on an unexplained extra fee first. The tenant keeps the payment request and their written response, then asks RDC what steps apply before the rent due date.
The practical point is to deal with both issues: challenge the unexplained charge and seek guidance on fulfilling the rent obligation. Simply stopping communication leaves the disagreement unresolved.
If you have also been told to vacate, see our guide to how much notice a landlord must give you to move out in Dubai. It explains the notice question separately from renewal charges.
What if the rent is also increasing?
Check the increase separately. A renewal discussion can involve more than one question: the annual rent, the date a change was communicated and additional fees. Ask for each change to be stated clearly instead of treating the whole renewal offer as one unexplained amount.
If you would like to know when the landlord can raise the rent and what notice to check, read our related blog: When can a landlord increase rent in Dubai?.
If your concern is whether you must leave at the end of the contract, read How much notice should my landlord give me to move out in Dubai?. These guides cover different parts of the same renewal conversation.
Considering a move? Browse rental properties and compare the full moving cost before deciding.
Official sources checked on 9 November 2026. This guide covers ordinary Dubai residential tenancies, not DIFC or other emirates. Disputed charges need case-specific guidance from DLD or RDC.