How Ejari works in Dubai, from the Dubai Land Department's own service cards: downloading the Ejari certificate, registering or renewing a tenancy contract (AED 177.75 online, AED 220 at trustee centres), cancelling it, and what companies need for an office lease.
Ejari is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) system for registering tenancy contracts. DLD's tenancy guide says: "EJARI is an online program developed by RERA for recording tenancy contracts for all types of property in the Emirate of Dubai, pursuant to Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008", and calls registration through EJARI "mandatory". This guide is built from DLD's service cards (Register / Renew Tenancy Contract, Cancel Tenancy Contract, Download Rental Certificate (Ejari) and the Dubai Now tenancy service), DLD's FAQ and u.ae, read on 25 October 2026.
How to download your Ejari certificate
Quick answer: DLD's FAQ: "Ejari certificate can be downloaded from Dubai REST app or the website from the home page from 'Download Ejari Certificate'".
On the website, DLD's Download Rental Certificate (Ejari) form asks for:
- the Ejari Contract Number (mandatory), and
- either the DEWA Premise Number (9 digits) or the Municipality Number and Sub Number,
then a captcha and "Download file". When a contract is registered online, DLD's card says the e-Contract Registration Certificate is emailed to you once the request is approved.
How to register an Ejari
DLD's Register / Renew Tenancy Contract service "allows customers to register or renew a Tenancy contract in the Emirate of Dubai". Who can use which channel is set by the card's terms:
| Channel | Who can use it (DLD's terms) | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai REST app | "The tenant and landlord must be individuals, and the owner's data must be up to date." | Log in, fill in the details, upload the documents, pay; a DLD employee approves and the certificate arrives by email |
| Ejari system (DLD website) | Companies licensed for a property-management activity, individual owners managing their own property, or a representative with a legal power of attorney | The same online steps |
| Real Estate Services Trustee centre | The property must not be managed by a real-estate company or by an owner with Ejari access; the applicant is the tenant or a representative with an official power of attorney; the landlord is the owner or a representative | Visit the centre, or the property management company if one manages the property; submit the documents; pay; receive the certificate |
| Dubai Now app | "Available to individuals who own and manage their own properties", with a valid Emirates ID | The owner creates a "New Contract" and signs it; the tenant reviews it, signs with UAE PASS and pays |
DLD's Ejari services page adds that a landlord registering in the Dubai REST app can "Specify the tenant type (Individual/Company)", and that a tenant can register "with the landlord's approval" at a trustee centre or in the app: "If the landlord does not approve within 5 days, the request will be automatically canceled."
Documents (DLD): through the app, a "Copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract"; at a trustee centre, the original Unified Tenancy Contract, the applicant's Emirates ID and, for a representative, the official power of attorney (a Dubai-issued one can be entered by number; one from another emirate must be attached).
Time (DLD): 25 minutes at a trustee centre, excluding waiting time; "Instant" on Dubai Now. Signing on Dubai Now uses UAE PASS: see our UAE PASS guide.
Ejari fees in 2026
| Channel | Total on DLD's card | Registration, knowledge and innovation fees | Service partner or service fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai REST app or DLD website | AED 177.75 | AED 100 registration + AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation | AED 55 + AED 2.75 VAT |
| Dubai Now app | AED 177.75 | AED 100 + AED 10 + AED 10 | AED 55 service fee + AED 2.75 VAT |
| Real Estate Services Trustee centre | AED 220 | AED 100 + AED 10 + AED 10 | AED 95 + VAT |
| Cancellation through the app or system | Free | ||
| Cancellation at a trustee centre | AED 40 + VAT | AED 40 + VAT |
The register card is also the renewal card, so DLD lists the same fees for a renewal. Each total is AED 120 of registration, knowledge and innovation fees plus the service partner's fee, which the card adds "in addition".
Ejari renewal
- Same service: renew through the same channels and for the same fees as a new registration.
- Before expiry: DLD's FAQ asks "Is it allowed to renew the tenancy contract before the Expiry of the Contract?" and answers "Yes".
- A missed year: DLD's FAQ says "it is not possible to register a lease contract with Ejari if the previous contracts are not registered already", so unregistered earlier contracts are registered first.
- Changing the rent or terms: either party must notify the other "no less than 90 days prior to the expiry of the contract, unless the two parties agree otherwise" (DLD FAQ).
- Not renewing: DLD's Ejari services page says a tenant who does not wish to renew notifies the landlord "at least 3 months in advance"; a landlord who does not wish to renew notifies the tenant "a full year in advance with a documented notice, clearly stating the reason for non-renewal".
Ejari cancellation
DLD's Cancel Tenancy Contract service "allows customers to cancel a Tenancy contract that has expired for a property that has been vacated in the Emirate of Dubai".
- Online (free): log in to the Ejari system or the Dubai REST app, select the service and submit; DLD emails you if the request is approved.
- At a trustee centre (AED 40 + VAT): bring the applicant's Emirates ID and the power of attorney for a representative; if the contract is still active, also the original Unified Tenancy Contract and a "Letter from the property owner requesting cancellation".
- Dubai Now: the owner selects "Cancel Tenancy Contract" in the Property Wallet and the tenant approves or declines.
- Only your own contract: DLD's FAQ says "the tenant can't cancel Ejari contracts for someone else, they can only request to cancel their own Ejari Contracts."
During the contract, DLD's FAQ says the lease "cannot be terminated by one party without the consent of the other". A residential contract can be cancelled during its term if both parties agree; a commercial one "can only be canceled" in these cases: an expired lease contract, cancellation of the trade licence, relocation of the company, a frozen trade licence, or a cancellation order from the Rental Disputes Center.
Ejari for companies: office leases and the trade licence
- Licence: u.ae's steps to start a business on the mainland say: "Office and warehouse rental agreement must be provided. Some emirates require the agreements to be attested. In Dubai, the agreement must be registered with Ejari." Its licence document list includes a "Copy of the lease contract duly attested by Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in Dubai". See our Dubai mainland company formation guide.
- A company as tenant: DLD's pages differ. The register card's app terms say "The tenant and landlord must be individuals", while DLD's Ejari services page tells a landlord registering in the Dubai REST app to "Specify the tenant type (Individual/Company)". Real Estate Services Trustee centres are the other channel.
- No limit on the number of commercial contracts: "Individuals are entitled to a maximum of 3 residential Ejari contracts. For commercial leasing, there is no limit to the number of contracts." (DLD FAQ)
- Not in a flat: asked whether a residential apartment can be rented as a commercial office, DLD's FAQ answers: "Not possible, units listed as residential can't be used for commercial activities."
- Closed commercial premises: DLD's FAQ cites Article 25(d) of Law No. 33 of 2008: a commercial premises may be vacated if the tenant "leaves it unoccupied and without reason for a period of thirty consecutive days, or ninety intermittent days in one year, unless the two parties agree otherwise".
- DEWA: "all customers will be required to obtain Ejari for DEWA Move-in service" (DLD FAQ).
What a licence renewal needs depends on the licence and its activities, so check with DET: see our trade licence renewal guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I download my Ejari certificate? A: From the Dubai REST app, or on DLD's website through "Download Ejari Certificate" (DLD FAQ). The website form asks for the Ejari contract number plus either the 9-digit DEWA premise number or the municipality number and sub number.
Q: How much does Ejari registration cost in 2026? A: AED 177.75 through the Dubai REST app, DLD's website or Dubai Now, and AED 220 at a Real Estate Services Trustee centre (DLD's service cards). Both are AED 100 registration + AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation, plus a service partner fee.
Q: How do I register Ejari online? A: Log in to the Dubai REST app or the Ejari system, fill in the details, upload the documents and pay; a DLD employee approves the request and the registration certificate is emailed to you. DLD's register card limits the app to an individual tenant and landlord, while its Ejari services page lets a landlord choose an individual or company tenant in the app.
Q: How do I renew Ejari? A: Through the same Register / Renew Tenancy Contract service and for the same fees. DLD's FAQ allows renewal before the contract expires, and earlier unregistered contracts must be registered first.
Q: How do I cancel Ejari? A: Through the Ejari system or the Dubai REST app for free, or at a Real Estate Services Trustee centre for AED 40 + VAT (DLD). An active contract needs a letter from the property owner requesting cancellation.
Q: Can a company register Ejari through the Dubai REST app? A: DLD's pages differ. The register card's app terms say the tenant and landlord must be individuals; DLD's Ejari services page says a landlord registering in the Dubai REST app can set the tenant type to individual or company. Real Estate Services Trustee centres are the other channel.
Q: Is Ejari needed for a trade licence in Dubai? A: u.ae says a mainland business must provide an office or warehouse rental agreement and that "In Dubai, the agreement must be registered with Ejari"; its document list includes the lease contract attested by RERA.
Q: Can I use a residential apartment as an office in Dubai? A: No. DLD's FAQ says "units listed as residential can't be used for commercial activities."
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