New Tenancy Agreement Template for the United Arab Emirates

A new tenancy agreement is your legal foundation when entering into a rental arrangement in the United Arab Emirates. This document establishes the contractual relationship between you as a landlord or tenant, so both parties understand their rights and obligations under UAE law. Whether you are renting residential or commercial property, the agreement protects your interests while keeping the tenancy contract compliant with federal and emirate-specific regulations.

When do you need a new tenancy agreement?

You need a new tenancy agreement whenever you are establishing a fresh rental relationship in the UAE. This includes renting an apartment, villa, or commercial space for the first time, moving to a new property with a different landlord, or when your previous rental arrangement has expired without automatic renewal. The document is also used when converting an informal rental into a legally compliant tenancy, when a company takes on premises for business use, or when significant changes to the terms warrant a completely new agreement rather than an amendment. If you only need to extend a current arrangement, a renewal may suit better than a brand-new contract.

What documents and details do you need to complete it?

Before you draft a new tenancy agreement, gather the information both parties will need to include. For each party you will typically need a valid passport copy, Emirates ID, and current contact details (including an email address for service of notices). For the property, have the title deed or ownership reference, the exact unit description, and the DEWA or utility account details ready. Landlords in Dubai will also need the property registration data required for Ejari. Having these to hand means the agreement can be completed, registered, and handed over without a second round of requests.

Key legal considerations

Your new tenancy agreement must include several critical elements to be valid and enforceable. The rent amount and payment schedule should align with market rates and local rent control rules, particularly in Dubai where Decree No. 43 of 2013 governs permissible rent increases. Security deposit clauses must state the exact amount, typically 5 to 10% of annual rent, and set out the conditions for its return. Maintenance responsibilities should be clearly divided between the parties, with major structural repairs usually remaining the landlord's obligation. Termination clauses must comply with UAE notice periods and specify grounds for early termination, protecting both sides from unexpected lease breaks. If you want a shorter starting point, our tenancy agreement templates and rental agreement templates cover related arrangements.

Legal requirements in United Arab Emirates

Under UAE Federal Law No. 5 of 1985, your tenancy agreement must be in writing and include party identification with Emirates ID numbers, a precise property description, and clear rental terms. In Dubai, Law No. 26 of 2007 requires registration with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) through Ejari, while other emirates have similar registration requirements with their own authorities. The agreement should state the rental period, typically one year for residential property, and include standard clauses on property use restrictions and subletting. It should also set out how the parties handle any dispute, and comply with local rules on rent increases and end-of-tenancy procedures.

How do you register a new tenancy in Dubai?

In Dubai, a new tenancy agreement is registered through the Ejari system, run under RERA and the Dubai Land Department, the government body responsible for property records. Registration links the contract to the property and the parties, and is usually required to connect utilities and other services in the tenant's name. You can complete Ejari through an approved registration centre or the online government service, submitting the signed agreement together with each party's identification and the property details. Once registered, both landlord and tenant hold an official record of the terms they agreed.

What support do you get when drafting the agreement?

GenieAI drafts the new tenancy agreement for you and flags terms that fall outside standard UAE practice, so you can view every clause and understand what it commits you to before you sign. Each clause is checked against the emirate's rental rules and your own preferences, from the deposit amount to the notice period. You keep full control of the content, adjusting rent, duration, and additional terms to fit the specific property and tenant.