August 5, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: Dubai property owners must now declare every improvement and alteration before registering or renewing a Dubai Ejari rent contract. The Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) new mandate strengthens the smart Rental Index by ensuring that listed rent reflects actual unit enhancements. Landlords who meticulously log modifications can justify higher rentals, while tenants gain transparent insight into what they pay for.

Mandatory Disclosure of Property Modifications

Under the updated regulations, any change, such as installing premium fixtures, upgrading flooring, repainting interiors, or adding amenities, must be entered into the Ejari portal’s “Property Details” section before initiating a Dubai Ejari rent contract. The steps are:

• Access the Ejari portal and open “Property, Usage, Type”.
• Enter comprehensive information about recent upgrades.
• Confirm that the updated usage type aligns with Dubai Municipality records.
• Verify entries when the unit is vacant to avoid system holds.

Failure to complete these steps stalls the Ejari tenancy contract registration or renewal. By enforcing this requirement, the Dubai Ejari rent contract process now clearly differentiates between upgraded units and those unchanged.

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How the Smart Rental Index Shapes Rents?

Launched in January 2025, Dubai’s smart Rental Index assigns a star rating, from one to five, to each building based on factors like common-area quality, facilities, and overall upkeep. Unlike the older system that averaged area rents, the new model ties rental benchmarks directly to each building’s rating. Under this framework, the Dubai Ejari rent contract update requires landlords to substantiate their star rating with documented improvements.

Many owners of older developments rushed to enhance lobbies, install gym equipment, or refurbish façades to climb the index ladder. Conversely, landlords whose properties lag behind in amenities have had to reduce rents to mirror their true star rating.

“The updated Dubai Ejari rent contract requirement levels the playing field,” says Eima Hajimalan, Manager at GCP Properties. “Tenants can see which units have genuine upgrades and landlords can no longer overstate their offerings.”

Tenant Empowerment and Rate Challenges

Tenants benefit from full disclosure before signing a Dubai tenancy agreement. All listed modifications appear in the Ejari contract, enabling renters to compare units across similarly rated buildings. If a quoted rent exceeds the index threshold for its star rating, tenants may file a complaint with the Rental Disputes Centre.

“Renters appreciate knowing exactly what their money covers,” notes a Dubai leasing agent. “The Dubai Ejari rent contract rules give them clarity and recourse if they spot discrepancies.”

Step-by-Step: Updating Ejari Records

Landlords can record modifications through several channels:

• Ejari-approved typing centres
• DLD’s official Ejari online portal
• DubaiNow or Dubai REST mobile apps

After logging in with valid credentials, owners navigate to “Property Details,” enter each upgrade, and submit for validation. The system cross-checks submissions against municipality data before authorizing the Dubai Ejari rent contract process to proceed.

Compliance Timeline and Best Practices

All new and renewed tenancy contracts from August 4, 2025, onward must include accurate property modification entries. To comply smoothly, landlords should:

1. Ensure units are vacant when logging upgrades.
2. Complete entries at least one business day before submitting a contract request.
3. Retain confirmation receipts or screenshots as proof of update.

Non-compliance triggers automatic system holds, preventing contract finalization until corrections are made.

Your Path to Transparent Rentals

The enhanced rules make the Dubai Ejari rent contract process fairer and more transparent. Landlords gain a documented method to justify market-aligned rents based on real improvements. Renters benefit from clear visibility into unit features and have a mechanism to challenge unjustified rates.

Property owners should update their Ejari records today to ensure every Dubai Ejari rent contract accurately reflects all recent enhancements and to avoid costly delays in their tenancy agreements.

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