Dubai Tenancy Contract Checklist Before You Pay

Verify the property, the person entitled to lease it, every payment and the handover condition before signing a Dubai tenancy contract or transferring money.

Housing · Reviewed 17 October 2026

1. Verify the property you are renting

Visit the exact unit rather than relying only on listing photographs. Confirm the building, unit number, parking space, access cards and any furnished items that will appear in the contract. Test essential services where possible and record existing damage with dated photographs.

Do not treat a viewing receipt, holding message or payment request as proof that the person collecting money controls the property. Ask for the ownership or management information needed to connect the unit, landlord and payment recipient.

2. Verify who can sign and receive payment

Check that the landlord named in the contract is the owner or is legally represented.
If a property management company is involved, confirm its role and the account to which rent or deposits must be paid.
For a representative, request the relevant official power of attorney instead of accepting a verbal explanation.
Make sure the receipt identifies the property, payer, amount and purpose of the payment.

DLD’s current Ejari terms state that the landlord must be the owner or a legal representative with an official power of attorney. This is also why mismatched names should be resolved before payment or registration.

3. Put the complete cost in writing

List rent, payment dates, security deposit, brokerage commission and every agreed charge separately. Confirm who pays for maintenance, cooling, utilities, access cards, parking and move-in or building administration requirements. Do not rely on “standard practice” when the contract or addendum can state the responsibility clearly.

Never transfer money to a personal account merely because someone says the property will otherwise be lost. Verify the recipient and obtain a signed receipt. If a refundable reservation or holding payment is proposed, the conditions for refund or forfeiture should be written before payment.

4. Read the contract and addendum together

Check the parties’ names and identification details, exact property, start and end dates, annual rent, payment schedule, notice method, maintenance allocation, renewal terms and permitted use. Read any addendum before signing; it should not contradict the main contract or contain blank spaces that can later be completed.

Write important promises into the signed documents: repairs before move-in, appliances, repainting, pest treatment, parking, furnishing, early termination or special renewal terms. Messages can help prove discussions, but a clear signed term reduces ambiguity.

5. Make a handover record

Photograph each room, appliance and existing defect.
Record electricity, water or cooling meter readings where applicable.
List keys, remotes, cards and parking devices received.
Record incomplete repairs and the agreed completion date.
Keep the signed contract, addendum, receipts, inventory and handover report together.

6. Register the tenancy through Ejari

DLD’s official service allows a Dubai tenancy contract to be registered or renewed through Dubai REST, the Ejari system or an authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centre, depending on the property and applicant. The online/app route requires a copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract. At a trustee centre, DLD lists the original Unified Tenancy Contract, the applicant’s Emirates ID and an official power of attorney when a representative applies.

As reviewed on 17 October 2026, DLD lists a total of AED 177.75 through Dubai REST or the department website and AED 220 through a trustee centre. These totals include the registration, knowledge, innovation and stated service-partner/VAT components. Check the live service before paying because fees and channels can change.

The issued record is the electronic Contract Registration Certificate. An application or payment receipt is not the same as an approved Ejari certificate.

Important: If the unit, landlord, recipient or written terms do not match, pause before paying. Do not share an OTP, unrestricted UAE Pass approval or banking password with a broker, landlord or registration helper.

Related housing guides

Official sources and review note

Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this checklist on 17 October 2026 against Dubai Land Department’s Register / Renew Tenancy Contract service ↗, including its current procedures, documents, fees, terms and issued certificate, and DLD’s Unified Ejari contract resources ↗. Confirm the live DLD service before signing or paying.

How we check official information →