If you rent an apartment, villa, office or other eligible property in Dubai, signing the tenancy contract is only part of the process. The lease also needs to be recorded through Ejari.
Ejari is Dubai's official tenancy registration system. It creates a government record of the rental contract between the landlord and tenant and is used for residential and commercial leases across the emirate.
For tenants, the registration quickly becomes useful after moving in. DEWA, for example, is digitally connected to the Ejari system. Once an eligible Ejari certificate is issued, DEWA can receive the property and customer information needed to start the move-in process.
Businesses can also need Ejari for their commercial premises, particularly where an office lease forms part of the company's licensing records. Here is how Ejari registration in Dubai works in 2026.
What Is Ejari Registration in Dubai?
Ejari records tenancy contracts under the Dubai Land Department's rental system.
The legal requirement comes from Dubai's tenancy legislation. Article 4 of Law No. 33 of 2008, which amended Law No. 26 of 2007, states that lease contracts covered by the law must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, or RERA.
Registration creates an official electronic record containing the main lease details, such as:
Landlord and tenant information
Property details
Rental amount
Contract period
Intended use of the property
Other tenancy information recorded in the system
Once approved, DLD issues an electronic Contract Registration Certificate.
In a 30-minute call we map your situation against jurisdiction, activity and cost — no commitment required.
Who Can Register an Ejari Contract?
The route depends on who is applying and how the property is managed.
DLD currently allows Ejari services through:
Dubai REST
The Ejari system for authorised users
Real Estate Services Trustee Centres
Property management companies where applicable
A tenant can submit an Ejari request through Dubai REST or a trustee centre, subject to the applicable conditions.
DLD's current Ejari service guidance states that when a tenant submits a request requiring landlord approval, the landlord has five days to approve it. If approval does not happen during that period, the request is automatically cancelled.
Landlords, approved property managers and authorised representatives have additional routes through the Ejari system.
Documents Required for Ejari Registration
You will find much longer document lists on some property websites. DLD's current official list is actually more focused.
For registration through the app
DLD lists:
Copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract
This applies to individual and company tenancies under the relevant service conditions.
For a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre
Bring:
Original Unified Tenancy Contract
Emirates ID of the applicant
Official Power of Attorney if someone is applying as a representative
If the Power of Attorney was issued in Dubai, its number can be entered into the system without attaching the document. If it was issued in another emirate, DLD says the document must be attached.
You can also check the current requirements directly through the Dubai Land Department Register/Renew Tenancy Contract service.
Keep these property details ready too
Even when they are not listed as separate uploads on DLD's main registration page, your application must match the property and landlord records already held by DLD.
It is sensible to have access to:
Property details
Landlord details
DEWA premises number where relevant
Ownership information
Previous Ejari details for a renewal
Company information where the tenant or landlord is a legal entity
For a commercial tenancy, keeping the company's trade licence and authorised signatory details ready can also prevent unnecessary back-and-forth if the relevant registration route asks for company identification.
How to Register Ejari Online in Dubai
Dubai REST is DLD's official real estate application. It supports tenancy registration, renewal and cancellation, along with other property services.
The general online process works like this:
- Open Dubai REST or the applicable DLD service
Log in using the available identity verification method.
- Select the Ejari service
Choose the option to register a new tenancy contract.
Landlords using Dubai REST can access their Property Wallet, select the relevant property and choose Ejari services.
- Enter the tenancy information
Check the property, rental value, contract dates and details of both parties carefully. A spelling error or incorrect property detail can slow down the application.
- Upload the required document
Upload a clear copy of the signed Unified Tenancy Contract.
Both parties should check the lease before submission. Names, rent, property information and dates should match the agreed contract.
- Complete approval
The application goes through the required review and approval process.
Where landlord approval is required, make sure the landlord acts within the five-day approval period.
- Pay the registration fee
Once payment and approval requirements are completed, the registration can be processed.
- Receive the certificate
DLD issues the e-Contract Registration Certificate electronically and sends it through the approved digital channel.
Ejari Registration at a Trustee Centre
If the online route does not suit your situation, you can visit a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
The process is simple:
Visit an authorised centre.
Present the required documents.
The employee enters and reviews the tenancy details.
Pay the applicable charges.
Receive the electronic Contract Registration Certificate.
DLD currently gives an estimated service time of 25 minutes, excluding waiting time, for applications handled through Real Estate Services Trustee Centres.
Ejari Registration Fees in Dubai
One area where online information gets confusing is cost. Some websites still quote old figures.
As of August 2026, DLD publishes the following charges:
Fee | Online via Dubai REST/DLD | Trustee Centre |
Tenancy contract registration | AED 100 | AED 100 |
Knowledge fee | AED 10 | AED 10 |
Innovation fee | AED 10 | AED 10 |
Service partner fee | AED 55 | AED 95 |
VAT on service partner fee | AED 2.75 | Applicable |
DLD-listed total | AED 177.75 | AED 220 |
The difference comes mainly from the service partner charge.
If a property manager, document service or other provider handles the application for you, it may charge its own professional fee on top of the official amount. Fees can change, so check DLD before paying.
Ejari Registration for Commercial Properties
Ejari is relevant to businesses renting commercial premises as well as people renting homes. This becomes particularly important for mainland companies that use their leased office as part of their business licensing records.
One basic check should happen before you sign anything: confirm that the property is approved for the activity you intend to carry out.
DLD specifically states that a residential apartment cannot simply be rented and used as a commercial office.
We’ll model the requirements and send back a single-page breakdown within 24 hours.
Ejari Renewal in Dubai
Ejari should be updated when the underlying tenancy is renewed. DLD handles registration and renewal through the same Register/Renew Tenancy Contract service.
The published fees are also the same:
AED 177.75 through Dubai REST or the DLD website
AED 220 through a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre
Check that the renewed lease contains the correct rent, dates and property details before submitting it.
If your company has changed its licensed activities as well as its premises requirements, review those changes separately. Nexture's guide on changing business activities in Dubai explains how licensing amendments are handled.
Do You Need to Cancel an Old Ejari?
Yes, an old tenancy record should be properly closed when the tenancy ends. DLD warns that if the previous tenant's Ejari remains active, the next tenant may be unable to create a new registration for the property.
Current cancellation charges are:
Dubai REST/Ejari system: Free when processed through the eligible online route
Real Estate Services Trustee Centre: AED 40 service partner fee plus VAT
If an active tenancy is being cancelled early, additional landlord approval or supporting documentation may be required.
Common Ejari Registration Problems
Most issues come down to the information in the application not matching the official records. Watch for these:
Landlord approval is missed
If an approval request sits unanswered for five days, DLD says it is automatically cancelled.
An old Ejari is still active
Ask the landlord or property manager to check whether the previous tenancy was properly cancelled.
The tenancy contract contains incorrect information
Check names, dates, rental amount, unit number and property use before submission.
The applicant is acting without proper authority
If a representative is filing the application, make sure the required Power of Attorney is available.
The property use does not match your activity
This is especially important for companies. Do not assume a residential property can automatically serve as a commercial office.
Conclusion
Ejari registration in Dubai is usually straightforward when the lease information and property records are correct. For a standard registration, your main starting point is the signed Unified Tenancy Contract. You can then use Dubai REST, the appropriate Ejari system route or an authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
For 2026, DLD lists the cost at AED 177.75 online and AED 220 at a trustee centre. If you register through a third party, ask whether its quoted amount includes additional service charges.
Most delays are avoidable. Check the contract carefully, confirm the landlord's details are current and make sure any previous Ejari has been properly cancelled before you submit the new request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Ejari registration cost in Dubai in 2026?
Dubai Land Department currently lists AED 177.75 for registration through Dubai REST or the DLD website and AED 220 through a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
Can I register Ejari online?
Yes. Eligible tenants and landlords can use Dubai REST, while authorised business users can access the Ejari system according to DLD's rules.
What documents are required for Ejari registration?
For the app, DLD's main Register/Renew service lists a copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract. At a trustee centre, you need the original Unified Tenancy Contract, the applicant's Emirates ID and an official Power of Attorney where a representative applies.
Does the landlord need to approve Ejari?
A tenant's Dubai REST application can require landlord approval. DLD states that if the landlord does not approve the request within five days, the request is automatically cancelled.
Is Ejari required for DEWA?
For tenants covered by Ejari, yes. DEWA's current Move-In service is digitally connected to the Ejari system. Once the Ejari certificate is issued, DEWA can receive the required tenancy information automatically.
Do I need a new Ejari when my tenancy contract is renewed?
The renewed tenancy should be registered through DLD's Register/Renew Tenancy Contract service so the Ejari record reflects the current lease.
Can I use a residential Ejari for a commercial office?
DLD says a residential apartment cannot be used as a commercial office simply because you have a tenancy contract. Your premises must be suitable for the intended use and licensing requirements.
