Connect with us

For inquiry and send press release please email us to : info@ksajournal.com

REAL ESTATE

UAE Property: Can rent in Abu Dhabi jump by Dh15,000?

Question: I live in Al Reef Downtown in Abu Dhabi. My landlord wants to raise my rent from Dh63,000 ($17,154) to Dh78,000, claiming this is “fair market value” now. But when I check listings, I see everything from Dh60,000 to Dh75,000, nothing consistent. There’s also no rental index like Dubai’s to refer to. How do I know if this increase is reasonable, and what can I realistically negotiate? SP, Abu Dhabi

Answer: For several years, Abu Dhabi had a rent cap. This was abolished in November 2013, but as a result of resolution No 14, the annual 5 per cent cap was reintroduced with effect from December 2016. This means that a landlord in Abu Dhabi cannot raise the rent by more than 5 per cent at the time of renewal.

This cap applies regardless of where the broader market sits. So even if the market rate in Al Reef has risen sharply, your landlord cannot legally increase your rent from Dh63,000 to Dh78,000 in one renewal. That would equate to a 24 per cent jump, which is far outside what the law now permits.

All advertised listings will have a degree of variation, and remember that vacant rental listings will always be worth more than a property with an existing tenant. Online asking prices can fluctuate depending on how urgently a landlord wants to lease or how optimistic they might be, but when it comes to renewals, the only number that matters is the lawful maximum, not the highest figure a landlord can find online.

You are well within your rights to remind your landlord that your renewal rent can only be adjusted by 5 per cent. In your case, that means the new rent should be about Dh66,150, not Dh78,000.

I would suggest communicating this politely in writing and referencing the rent cap issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport. Once the rule is pointed out, most landlords fall in line.

If the landlord insists on the higher figure or attempts to use the market argument to justify it, you can take the matter to the Abu Dhabi Rental Dispute Settlement Committee, which has been applying the 5 per cent cap consistently since the regulation took effect.

Q: I bought a two-bedroom apartment in Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah. Over the last two years, my service charges have gone up by nearly 20 per cent. I’m happy with the community, but these charges are starting to impact my rental yield. Is this trend happening across RAK, and do owners have any recourse when charges keep climbing? PG, RAK

A: Service charge increases aren’t unique to Mina Al Arab; they’ve been rising gradually across much of Ras Al Khaimah as communities mature and maintenance costs increase.

RAK’s market is still developing compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which means that service providers sometimes adjust their cost structure as they better understand community requirements. The key is transparency.

You are entitled to request a detailed breakdown of how service charge budgets are allocated such as maintenance, landscaping, security, reserve fund contributions and so on. Most owners’ associations in RAK are open to sharing this information once asked.

If you feel the increase is unjustified, you can raise the issue with the RAK Municipality, which oversees owners’ associations and can review whether charges are aligned with the community’s actual needs. They typically intervene only when there is a clear imbalance.

While rising service charges can affect yields, they also often reflect improved upkeep, which supports long-term capital appreciation. It’s worth weighing both sides before making any decision.

Q: I’ve lived in a Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for five years and always had a good relationship with my landlord. Last week, his new property manager emailed me saying the landlord wants to sell and that I “must vacate within 60 days so viewings can begin”. No formal written notice has been served. I’m not against leaving if the property is eventually being sold, but don’t want to be pushed out unfairly or rushed into moving. What are my rights in this situation, and how should I handle it without damaging the relationship? MK, Dubai

A: This type of situation is becoming more common as prices rise, but the law remains clear. Your landlord cannot ask you to vacate within 60 days. Under UAE law, a landlord who wishes to sell must serve a 12-month notice to vacate, delivered either by notary public or registered mail, and the notice only becomes valid at the end of the current tenancy period. An email from a property manager carries no legal weight.

You are fully within your rights to remain in the property until such formal notice is served, and the 12-month period has elapsed. You can, however, agree to co-operate with viewings at mutually convenient times as a gesture of goodwill – provided you receive 24-hour notice. Check your tenancy contract for clauses about viewings.

Maintaining a good relationship is always beneficial, so I suggest replying politely to the property manager and reminding them of the correct procedure. Assure them you’re open to reasonable co-operation, but that you will follow the law in terms of vacating. Most landlords, once reminded of the legal requirements, adjust their expectations accordingly.

Story by The Ntional

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

REAL ESTATE

Dubai Property Market 2025

Dubai, UAE: Dubai’s real estate sector remained firmly on a growth trajectory in 2025, supported by steady demand and expanding supply. Reflecting these dynamics, dubizzle, the UAE’s leading online marketplace, has released its Annual Dubai Property Market Report, delivering a data-driven assessment of the emirate’s real estate market performance in 2025.

dubizzle’s report showed sustained transactional activity and overall stability across core market segments, including off-plan sales and short-term rentals.

Commenting on the latest market trends, the CEO of Bayut & dubizzle and CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA, Haider Ali Khan, said: “Dubai’s real estate market kept up its momentum throughout the year, with steady demand across the board. We’ve also seen the industry evolve, supported by stronger regulation, new partnerships and emerging innovations like real estate tokenisation, which are adding more confidence and depth to the market. In a fast-moving environment like this, having reliable information really makes a difference. At dubizzle, we focus on bringing verified listings and data-led insights to the table, so buyers, investors and renters can make decisions with clarity and confidence. With a strong pipeline of handovers and new launches ahead, the coming months should offer a clear view of how the next phase of the market takes shape.”

READY SALES: TOP AREAS AND MARKET TRENDS

Investor and buyer activity continued at a steady pace across Dubai’s most sought-after ready property locations.

  • Dubai Marina led the luxury apartment segment, while Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and International City emerged as the top-performing mid-tier and affordable apartment markets, respectively.
  • DAMAC Lagoons remained the top choice for luxury villas, while Al Furjan and DAMAC Hills 2 led the mid-tier and affordable segments.
  • Dubai Investment Park (DIP) recorded the highest increase in the villa segment, with the average price reaching AED 2.17M.
  • The per-square-foot price for villas in Dubai Investment Park (DIP) recorded the highest surge, reaching AED 773. Meanwhile, Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) saw the sharpest rise in per-square-foot price for apartments, reaching AED 1,501.
  • Town Square delivered the highest ROI for mid-tier apartments at 7.72%, while DAMAC Lagoons led the villa segment with a 10.46% return.

OFF-PLAN SEGMENT: DIVERSE OPTIONS AND GROWING INVESTOR INTEREST

Dubai’s off-plan property segment continued to drive growth in 2025, supported by a steady pipeline of new launches and substantial demand.

  • Off-plan apartments saw strong demand across established and emerging communities, led by luxury projects in Dubai Marina, Dubai Hills Estate and Dubai Creek Harbour, mid-tier developments in Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle and Al Furjan and affordable options in Dubai Investment Park, Dubai Land Residence Complex and Dubai South.
  • Off-plan villa interest remained concentrated in master-planned communities, with high-end projects in DAMAC Lagoons, The Valley by Emaar and Mohammed Bin Rashid City, mid-tier developments in Arabian Ranches 3, Mudon and Nad Al Sheba and affordable villa projects gaining traction in R. Hills, Chevalia Estate and Verona.

RENTAL MARKET: STEADY DEMAND, DIVERSE SUPPLY

The rental market in Dubai continued to grow steadily in 2025, fueled by active demand across various neighbourhoods.

  • Dubai Marina maintained its status as the preferred choice for luxury apartments, with JVC and International City emerging as the leading destinations in the mid-tier and affordable segments.
  • In International City, an affordable apartment community, average rents surged to AED 53k, marking the highest increase in the segment.
  • For villa rentals, Al Barsha led the luxury segment. On the other hand, Al Furjan and DAMAC Hills 2 dominated the mid-tier and affordable segments.
  • The rent of mid-tier villas in Arabian Ranches 3 surged 45.98% driven specifically by new inventory in Caya, reaching an average of AED 254k. The 4-bedroom villas led the gains, surging by 69%.

SHORT-TERM MARKET: EXPANDING INTEREST AND HEALTHY OCCUPANCY TRENDS

Dubai’s short-term rental market remained strong, driven by steady tourism, flexible living trends and rising demand for quality short-stay options.

  • The interest for luxury short-term rentals remained concentrated in prime locations, with significant monthly apartment demand in Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai and Meydan City, while Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Hills Estate and DAMAC Hills led the segment for high-end villa short-term rentals; the demand for daily luxury apartments stayed anchored in Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai and JBR.
  • JVC, Business Bay and Al Barsha experienced high demand for both monthly and daily apartments, while Arabian Ranches 3 and The Springs witnessed a strong short-term villa rental interest.
  • The interest for affordable vacation rentals continued to centre around established districts, with International City, Bur Dubai and Deira dominating the monthly apartment segment, DAMAC Hills 2 led the demand for affordable short-term villas and Bur Dubai, Deira and DSO emerged as key areas for daily rentals.

About dubizzle:

dubizzle, the well-known online classifieds giant in the UAE, is an integral part of homegrown unicorn, Dubizzle Group Holdings Limited. As the UAE’s largest classifieds site, dubizzle plays a pivotal role in connecting buyers and sellers across diverse categories such as properties, cars, jobs, and various goods.

The user-friendly platform, coupled with innovative features, has solidified dubizzle as the go-to destination for both buyers and sellers to effortlessly connect and transact. dubizzle takes pride in the unwavering commitment to values of transparency, authenticity and consumer protection, positioning dubizzle as a preeminent platform for ethical online commerce in the UAE.

Continue Reading

Business

MIDAD REAL ESTATE AND DIRIYAH COMPANY TO CO-DEVELOP LUXURY $827 MILLION FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AND PRIVATE RESIDENCES IN DIRIYAH

The $827 million investment and development agreement marks a significant collaboration, strengthening Midad’s expanding Four Seasons portfolio and luxury development pipeline.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 7 January 2026: Midad Real Estate has signed a strategic investment and development agreement with Diriyah Company to co-develop Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Diriyah on a 235,938-square-meter site in Diriyah, the City of Earth and the Kingdom’s historic and cultural landmark. The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO Diriyah Company, Abdulelah bin Mohammed Al Aiban, President of Midad Real Estate, and a number of executives.

The USD 827 million (SAR 3.1 billion) investment, covering land and construction, underscores Midad’s expertise in luxury hospitality and residential development and its commitment to Vision 2030, driving tourism, investment, job creation, and sustainable economic impact.

Midad Real Estate will lead the development, featuring a 159-room luxury Four Seasons Hotel and private residences, combining world-class service and design to set new standards for luxury hospitality in the Kingdom.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia and Secretary General of Diriyah Company, said: “Saudi Arabia continues to set new benchmarks in destination development, and Diriyah stands at the forefront of this evolution. Partnerships such as this enhance the Kingdom’s global tourism offering and reinforce our position as a leading destination.”

“This project represents a milestone for Midad, allowing us to bring the Four Seasons experience to one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant heritage destinations. We are excited to deliver a development that exemplifies design excellence, world-class service, and enduring value, while actively contributing to the Kingdom’s tourism, cultural, and economic ambitions.” said Abdulelah bin Mohammed Al Aiban, President of Midad Real Estate.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO Diriyah Company, commented: “The Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah will be one of our largest luxury hotels and we are proud to announce this joint development agreement with Midad, one of the Kingdom’s leading real estate developers. This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to enabling Saudi partners to participate in Diriyah’s transformational journey and underscores Midad’s confidence in the opportunities the project presents.”

Part of nearly 40 luxury hotels across Diriyah’s masterplans, the highly anticipated project reinforces Midad Real Estate’s expertise in high-end, transformative hospitality and residential developments, shaping the Kingdom’s luxury real estate landscape.

Continue Reading

REAL ESTATE

Tiger Properties has launched Tiger Downtown Ajman, a USD 10 billion lagoon-front “city within a city” in Al Alia, and opened bookings for Phase 1.

AJMAN, DUABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES,

January 7, 2026

Tiger Properties has announced the launch of Tiger Downtown Ajman, a lagoon-front master community in the Al Alia district of Ajman with an estimated development value of around USD 10 billion, and confirmed that bookings are now open for Phase 1, Orchid Towers.
Planned as a “city within a city,” Tiger Downtown Ajman spans approximately 5 million square meters of built-up area, organized around a central lagoon, promenades, residential towers, and mixed-use buildings. The master plan provides for 76 buildings, including 20 lagoon-front structures, alongside retail and commercial components that are intended to support long-term economic activity in the district.

Phase 1, Orchid Towers, is the first residential release within the development. The cluster comprises six towers offering fully furnished studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes, and a limited number of penthouses. Apartments are being introduced with a 70/30 payment structure, under which 70 percent of the price is payable during construction and 30 percent after handover through scheduled installments. Current pricing for entry-level units in Orchid Towers starts from approximately AED 420,000.

On the launch event, Eng. Amer Waleed Al Zaabi, CEO of Tiger Properties, said:
“Tiger Downtown Ajman represents a significant long-term investment in an emirate that is seeing steady growth in both resident demand and investor interest. By combining a lagoon-front setting, community infrastructure, and a structured payment plan, we are offering buyers a way to participate in the UAE’s real estate story with a clear framework and a defined delivery horizon.”

The central lagoon, which covers roughly 13,795 square meters with a water edge of around 375 meters, is one of the defining features of the project. Engineering and excavation works for the lagoon are scheduled to proceed in parallel with the construction of Orchid Towers so that the waterfront is integrated into the living environment as the community comes on line.

Beyond residential stock, Tiger Downtown Ajman will include:
• More than 25 community amenities, including lagoon-view pools, sports courts, a multi-purpose dome, outdoor cinema and amphitheater-style spaces, children’s play areas, and landscaped parks.
• External and internal jogging tracks, elevated walkways, and linear green corridors to support walkability across the site.
• Approximately 77,000 square meters of retail and around 41,000 square meters of commercial space, designed to house shops, cafés, restaurants, offices, and essential services.

Handover for Orchid Towers is currently targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028, with subsequent phases expected to add further lagoon-front residences and community infrastructure in line with the overall master plan.
About Tiger Properties

Tiger Properties is the real estate development arm of Tiger Holding, established in the UAE in 1976. The company has delivered more than 270 residential and commercial projects across multiple emirates and continues to focus on communities that combine urban convenience, contemporary design, and long-term value for domestic and international investors.

Continue Reading

Trending