How to Calculate Your Maximum Legal Rent Increase

Your landlord can’t just pick a number. Each emirate has its own rule for how much your rent can legally rise at renewal — here’s exactly how to work out yours.

Dubai: the RERA percentage bands

Under Decree No. 43 of 2013, your maximum increase depends on how far your current rent sits below the official RERA/DLD benchmark rent for your area and property type.

How far below market	Maximum legal increase
Less than 10% below	0%
11%–20% below	5%
21%–30% below	10%
31%–40% below	15%
More than 40% below	20%

How to calculate it yourself:

1. Look up the RERA/DLD benchmark rent for your area, building type, and bedroom count via the Dubai REST app or DLD’s rental index.
2. Work out the percentage your current rent sits below that benchmark: (benchmark − your current rent) ÷ benchmark × 100.
3. Match that percentage to the table above to get your maximum legal increase.
4. Multiply your current rent by that percentage to get the maximum AED increase allowed.

Worked example: current rent AED 55,000, benchmark AED 70,000. That’s 21.4% below market → the 21–30% band → 10% maximum increase → new rent capped at AED 60,500.

Dubai landlords must give 90 days’ written notice before the renewal date for any increase to apply.

Abu Dhabi: flat cap, currently frozen

Abu Dhabi (Law No. 20 of 2006, amended by Resolution 14/2016) uses a flat cap rather than tiered bands — normally 5%, regardless of how far below market your rent sits.

Currently, this is overridden by a rent freeze in effect since June 2, 2026 — the legal maximum increase is 0% until further notice. This is a temporary measure, so confirm the current status with ADREC before relying on it. Notice period: 60 days written notice before renewal.

Sharjah: a 3-year freeze, then fair market value

Under Sharjah Law No. 5 of 2024, there’s no fixed percentage table. Instead:

• Your rent cannot be increased at all for the first 3 years of your tenancy.
• After that, any increase must reflect “fair market value” as assessed by the Sharjah Rent Committee — there’s no set percentage.
• Increases can only be applied once every 2 years after the freeze ends.
• 90 days’ written notice is required for any proposed increase.

What to do if your landlord exceeds the legal maximum

1. Don’t sign the renewal yet — signing can be read as agreement to the increase.
2. Calculate your maximum legal increase using the steps above.
3. Respond to your landlord in writing, citing the relevant law and your calculated maximum.
4. If they won’t adjust, file a complaint with your emirate’s rental dispute authority (Dubai: Rental Dispute Settlement Centre) using your registered tenancy contract (Ejari/Tawtheeq) and the landlord’s notice as evidence.

Last verified July 2026. Reflects Dubai Decree No. 43/2013, Abu Dhabi Law No. 20/2006 and the June 2026 rent freeze, and Sharjah Law No. 5/2024. Rules and benchmark values change — verify your specific case with the relevant authority before relying on this for a dispute. An interactive calculator version of this guide is coming soon.

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