Anyone renting residential or commercial property in Dubai will eventually encounter Ejari. Although the process is relatively straightforward, misunderstandings about who should register, which documents are required and when a contract must be cancelled can cause avoidable delays.

Ejari Dubai is the official system used to register tenancy contracts with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency. It creates a government record of the agreement between a landlord and tenant and issues an electronic tenancy contract registration certificate.

This guide explains how Ejari works, why it matters, how much it costs and what landlords and tenants should do when registering, renewing or cancelling a tenancy contract.

What Is Ejari in Dubai?

Ejari is Dubai’s official tenancy contract registration system. It is operated through the Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency.

Registering a contract through Ejari does not create a separate lease. Instead, it records the signed tenancy agreement in the government system and produces an Ejari certificate containing important information such as:

The landlord’s details
The tenant’s details
The rented property
The annual rent
The contract period
The property’s identification information
The Ejari contract number

Dubai’s tenancy law requires applicable lease contracts to be registered with RERA. Article 4 of Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 states that government departments and judicial authorities may decline to act on tenancy-related claims when the lease has not been properly registered.

Why Ejari Dubai Registration Matters

Ejari is more than an administrative formality. It connects a private tenancy agreement to several government and utility services.

It creates an official tenancy record

Registration confirms that the property, landlord, tenant, rent and lease period have been entered into the official rental system. This helps reduce disputes involving altered contracts, inaccurate rental amounts or unauthorised leasing.

It supports rental dispute claims

If a disagreement reaches the Rental Disputes Center, the registered contract provides an official record of the tenancy. An unregistered contract may create procedural problems because Dubai tenancy law requires covered leases to be registered.

Ejari does not guarantee that every clause in a tenancy contract is legally enforceable. The terms must still comply with Dubai’s rental laws and applicable regulations.

It connects with DEWA services

Ejari information is integrated with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. According to DEWA’s Ejari guidance, the tenant’s information is transferred to DEWA after registration, allowing a move-in request and contract account number to be generated.

The tenant must still complete the required DEWA steps, including paying the applicable security deposit and activation fees.

It may be required for other official procedures

An Ejari certificate may be requested when applying for services connected to a residential or commercial address. Requirements vary between authorities, free zones and licensing bodies, so tenants should confirm what the relevant organisation requires.

Who Is Responsible for Registering Ejari?

A landlord, an authorised property management company or a tenant may begin the registration process through an approved channel.

The Dubai Land Department’s Ejari guidance provides different routes for landlords and tenants:

Landlords can use the Ejari system, Dubai REST or an authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
Tenants can register through Dubai REST with the landlord’s approval.
Tenants may also visit a trustee centre with the required documents and the owner’s no-objection confirmation.
Authorised property management companies can register contracts for properties under their management.

If a tenant submits an application through Dubai REST, the landlord must approve it. DLD states that a request left without approval for five days will be automatically cancelled.

The parties should agree at the beginning of the tenancy who will submit the application and who will pay the official registration fee. This should be clearly written into the tenancy agreement or related correspondence.

How to Register Ejari Dubai Online

Landlords and eligible tenants can use the Dubai REST application, while authorised business users and property managers may use the Ejari system.

A typical Dubai REST registration follows these steps:

Download or open the Dubai REST application.
Sign in using the appropriate verified account or UAE PASS.
Open the property or tenancy section.
Select the relevant property.
Choose the Ejari registration service.
Enter the tenant and contract information.
Upload the signed Unified Tenancy Contract.
Review the rent, dates and property information carefully.
Submit the application.
Pay the applicable fees.
Complete any landlord approval requested through the system.
Receive the electronic contract registration certificate by email or through the application.

Before submitting, both parties should verify the tenant’s name, annual rent, payment schedule, contract dates and property number. Correcting an error after registration can be more complicated than fixing it before submission.

Registering Through a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre

Applicants who cannot complete the process online may use an approved Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.

The general procedure is:

Visit an authorised trustee centre.
Present the original Unified Tenancy Contract.
Provide the applicant’s Emirates ID.
Submit a power of attorney if acting for another person.
Provide an owner’s NOC where required for a tenant-submitted application.
Allow the employee to review and enter the contract information.
Pay the registration and service fees.
Receive the electronic Ejari certificate.

The DLD trustee centre directory can be used to locate approved centres. DLD estimates the service itself at approximately 25 minutes, excluding waiting time.

If the property is managed by a registered property management company, the company may need to complete the registration through its Ejari access instead of using a trustee centre.

Documents Required for Ejari Registration

The exact requirements can depend on the registration channel and the applicant’s circumstances.

The Dubai Land Department registration service currently lists the following core documents.

Through Dubai REST or an online channel

A copy of the signed Unified Tenancy Contract
Verified applicant and property information within the system
Any additional document requested during the application

Through a trustee centre

The original Unified Tenancy Contract
The applicant’s Emirates ID
An official power of attorney if the applicant is a representative
The landlord’s NOC when required for registration initiated by a tenant

If a power of attorney was issued in Dubai, its reference number may be entered without uploading the document. A power of attorney issued in another emirate may need to be attached.

Applicants should also have the following information available, even when it is retrieved automatically:

Landlord and tenant contact details
Property address and unit number
Annual rental amount
Contract start and end dates
DEWA premise number
Title deed or property identification details
Details of the licensed property management company, if applicable

How Much Does Ejari Cost?

The official fee depends on the channel used. At the time of writing, DLD lists the following charges:

Registration channel	Listed total
Dubai REST or DLD online service	AED 177.75
Real Estate Services Trustee Centre	AED 220

The online total includes:

AED 100 tenancy registration fee
AED 10 knowledge fee
AED 10 innovation fee
AED 55 service partner fee
AED 2.75 VAT on the partner fee

Trustee-centre registration includes the government charges and a higher service partner fee. Fees can change, so applicants should confirm the amount on the official DLD service page before paying.

Landlords and management companies should distinguish the official Ejari charges from additional renewal charges. A Rental Disputes Center notice states that landlords and their representatives are not permitted to impose their own lease-renewal fee on tenants.

Who Normally Pays the Ejari Fee?

In practice, tenants frequently pay the Ejari registration cost. However, landlords and tenants should not rely only on market custom.

The tenancy contract should specify:

Who will submit the registration
Who will pay the official fee
How quickly registration must be completed
Who will handle renewal
Who will arrange cancellation at the end of the tenancy

Landlords should provide approvals promptly, while tenants should confirm that the registered details match the signed lease.

How to Renew Ejari in Dubai

Ejari registration should be updated when a tenancy contract is renewed. A new rental period, revised rent or updated contract terms should be reflected in the registered agreement.

Renewal can be completed using the same DLD register-or-renew service through:

Dubai REST
The Ejari online system for eligible users
An authorised property management company
A Real Estate Services Trustee Centre

Before renewing, the parties should:

Agree on the new rent and tenancy period.
Sign the updated Unified Tenancy Contract.
Verify that the previous contract information is correct.
Register the renewed contract.
Download and review the new certificate.
Keep copies of the contract, certificate and payment receipt.

The official registration charges listed by DLD apply to both new registrations and renewals.

Does Ejari Renew Automatically?

Landlords and tenants should not assume that the government registration automatically updates simply because the parties continue the tenancy.

A renewed or extended lease should be registered so that the official Ejari record reflects the correct contract period and rental amount. This is particularly important when a tenant needs the current certificate for utilities, licensing or a rental dispute.

How to Cancel an Ejari Contract

Ejari should be cancelled when a tenancy ends, particularly when the tenant moves out before the recorded expiry date.

Cancellation is available through:

Dubai REST
The Ejari online system for authorised users
A Real Estate Services Trustee Centre

According to the DLD cancellation service:

Online cancellation is free.
Cancellation through a trustee centre carries a service partner fee of AED 40 plus VAT.
An active contract generally requires the owner’s approval or cancellation letter.
If the contract has already expired, landlord approval may not be required.
DLD does not issue a separate cancellation certificate or receipt confirming the cancellation.
Once cancellation is approved, the registered lease becomes invalid immediately.

Where a tenant submits an online cancellation request requiring landlord approval, it may be automatically withdrawn if it remains unapproved for five days.

Tenants should also settle outstanding DEWA bills and complete the appropriate move-out procedure. DEWA’s systems are integrated with tenancy cancellation for eligible residential properties.

Documents Needed to Cancel Ejari

For cancellation through a trustee centre, DLD may require:

The original Unified Tenancy Contract
The applicant’s Emirates ID
An official power of attorney if a representative is applying
A letter from the property owner when cancelling an active contract
Any supporting termination or settlement document requested for the case

If the tenant is leaving early, the parties should first document their agreement to terminate the lease. Cancelling Ejari alone does not settle unpaid rent, damage claims, penalties or other contractual obligations.

Adding Co-Occupants to an Ejari Property

Tenants can register family members or other eligible residents as co-occupants through Dubai REST.

The process generally involves opening the relevant rented property, selecting “Manage Occupants,” and entering each occupant’s Emirates ID number and date of birth.

DLD does not issue a separate co-occupant certificate, and co-occupants’ names do not appear on the Ejari certificate. Their information can be viewed through the property’s occupant-management section.

Adding someone as a co-occupant does not make that person a joint tenant or give them the same contractual status as the named tenant. DLD’s FAQ also states that an Ejari contract cannot be issued under two individual tenant names.

Common Ejari Problems and How to Avoid Them

The landlord does not approve the application

Contact the landlord or property manager immediately. A tenant-initiated Dubai REST request may be cancelled automatically if it remains unapproved for five days.

The property does not appear in Dubai REST

The owner’s information may be outdated, or the property may be managed through a company with Ejari system access. The landlord should verify the ownership record and correct any data problems with DLD.

An old Ejari remains active

Ask the previous tenant, landlord or property manager to complete the appropriate cancellation. An unresolved contract can interfere with later tenancy administration.

Contract information does not match

Check names, Emirates ID details, contract dates, annual rent, unit numbers and property identification information before submission.

The applicant uses an unauthorised agent

Use Dubai REST, DLD’s Ejari system, an authorised property management company or an approved Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. Avoid giving personal documents or payments to unverified intermediaries.

The tenant confuses cancellation with financial settlement

Ejari cancellation updates the government tenancy record. It does not automatically resolve unpaid rent, maintenance claims, security deposit deductions or early-termination penalties.

Ejari Checklist for Landlords

Before handing over the property, landlords should:

Use the Unified Tenancy Contract.
Ensure the owner’s DLD information is current.
confirm that the property description is accurate.
Review the rent, payment dates and contract period.
Provide registration approval without unnecessary delay.
Keep copies of the registered contract and certificate.
Register every renewal.
Cancel the contract correctly when the tenancy ends.
Avoid charging unauthorised renewal fees.

Ejari Checklist for Tenants

Before completing registration, tenants should:

Confirm that the person leasing the property is the owner or an authorised representative.
Read the full tenancy agreement and any addendum.
Check the annual rent and payment schedule.
Confirm who will pay the registration fee.
Keep copies of all signed documents and payment receipts.
Download the final Ejari certificate.
Verify that the information on the certificate is correct.
Register eligible co-occupants where required.
Arrange DEWA activation after registration.
Complete cancellation and utility move-out procedures when leaving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ejari Dubai

Is Ejari mandatory in Dubai?

Yes. Tenancy contracts covered by Dubai’s rental law must be registered with RERA through Ejari.

Can a tenant register Ejari?

Yes. A tenant can initiate registration through Dubai REST, but the landlord’s approval is required. A tenant may also use a trustee centre with the necessary owner authorisation and documents.

What is the minimum Ejari contract period?

DLD’s current Ejari campaign guidance states that the minimum term is one year. Short-term and holiday-home arrangements may fall under different licensing and regulatory systems.

Can Ejari be registered under two tenant names?

DLD’s FAQ states that Ejari cannot be issued under two individual tenant names. Other residents may be recorded as co-occupants, but they do not appear as named tenants on the certificate.

How can I download an Ejari certificate?

The certificate can be downloaded through Dubai REST or the DLD certificate download service. Applicants may need the Ejari contract number and property identification details.

Is Ejari cancellation free?

Online cancellation through Dubai REST or the Ejari system is free. A trustee centre charges a service partner fee of AED 40 plus VAT.

Does Ejari protect a tenant from eviction?

Ejari creates an official record of the tenancy, but it does not prevent a lawful eviction. Eviction rights, notice periods and permitted grounds are governed by Dubai’s tenancy laws.

Final Thoughts

Ejari Dubai registration gives landlords and tenants an official record of their rental relationship. It also supports access to utility services, government procedures and the rental dispute system.

The safest approach is to register promptly, check every detail on the certificate, renew the registration when the tenancy continues and cancel it properly when the tenant leaves. Clear communication between the landlord, tenant and property manager can prevent most Ejari delays.

Fees and procedures can change. Applicants should confirm the latest requirements directly with the Dubai Land Department before submitting an application or making a payment.

HAMZ provides practical Dubai property guidance to help landlords, tenants, buyers and investors navigate the market with greater clarity and confidence.

Ejari Dubai Explained: A Complete Guide for Landlords and Tenants