A tenant's landlord has proposed a 15% rent increase at renewal, and the tenant wants to check whether this is actually legal under current rules.
The Walkthrough
- Find the current rent and the proposed new rent
Both figures are needed to calculate the percentage increase and compare it against the legal cap for the specific gap between current rent and market rate. - Check where current rent sits relative to the RERA index for similar properties
The legal maximum increase depends on how far below the market rate (per RERA's index) the current rent sits — a bigger gap allows a larger legal increase. - Enter the details into the calculator
With current rent, proposed rent, and property details entered, the calculator checks the proposed increase against the legally permitted maximum for that specific gap. - Compare the result against the landlord's proposal
If the calculator shows the legal maximum is lower than the proposed 15%, the tenant has grounds to push back on the excess portion. - Know the next step if the increase exceeds the legal cap
If the proposed increase is genuinely above the legal maximum, options typically include negotiating directly with the landlord or escalating to the Rental Disputes Centre.
The Takeaway
A landlord proposing 15% isn't automatically operating outside the law — the legal maximum increase depends entirely on how far below market the current rent sits, so checking the actual RERA-based calculation, rather than assuming any double-digit increase is illegal, is the only way to know for sure.
Try It With Your Own Numbers
This example used specific figures to make the process concrete, but the same steps apply whatever your actual numbers are. Run the Dubai Rent Increase Calculator with your own details — free, in under a minute, no sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is any rent increase above 5% automatically illegal in Dubai?
No — the legal maximum scales with how far below market rate the current rent sits, so higher percentage increases can be legal if the rent gap is large enough.
What counts as 'market rate' for this calculation?
It's based on RERA's published rental index for comparable properties in the same area, not the landlord's own opinion of market value.
Does this cap apply to both residential and commercial leases?
Rules can differ between residential and commercial tenancies — confirm which framework applies to your specific lease type.
What happens if the tenant refuses to pay an illegal increase?
Tenants generally have the right to escalate disputes to the Rental Disputes Centre if an increase exceeds the legal cap — the process and requirements should be checked directly for your situation.
Does the landlord need to give advance notice of a rent increase?
Yes — UAE tenancy law generally requires advance notice before a rent increase can take effect at renewal, with a specific notice period that should be confirmed against current rules.