Ejari Registration in Dubai: How to Register, Fees & Documents
If you rent a home in Dubai, your tenancy contract needs to be registered on Ejari, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) system for recording tenancy contracts. This guide explains how Ejari registration works, what it costs, which documents you need and how to renew or download your certificate.
Quick answer
You can register Ejari online through the Dubai REST app or the DLD Ejari system, or in person at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. DLD currently lists the total fee as AED 177.75 online and AED 220 at a trustee centre. Once the request is approved, DLD issues an e-Contract Registration Certificate. The same DLD service is used when a tenancy contract is renewed.
What is Ejari?
Ejari is the online program for recording tenancy contracts for all types of property in Dubai. It operates under Law No. 26 of 2007, which regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008. Article 4 of the amended law states that all lease contracts governed by the law, and any amendments to them, must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).
Once a contract is registered, DLD issues an e-Contract Registration Certificate, commonly called the Ejari certificate. It is the official record that your tenancy has been registered.
Who registers Ejari?
Under clause 14 of DLD's Unified Tenancy Contract, the landlord undertakes to register the contract on Ejari and provide the required documents.
In practice, who completes the registration depends on how the property is managed:
- Property management companies and owners with Ejari system access register contracts directly through the Ejari system.
- At a trustee centre, the applicant must be the tenant or a legal representative with an official power of attorney.
- On the Dubai REST app, both the tenant and the landlord must be individuals.
If you are about to sign a lease, confirm who will handle the Ejari registration before you sign. Our guide to signing a tenancy contract in Dubai covers what else to check at that stage.
How to register Ejari in Dubai
DLD lists the process for both channels on its Register / Renew Tenancy Contract service page.
Online: Dubai REST app or the Ejari system
- Log in to the Ejari system or the Dubai REST app and select the service.
- Fill in the required information and upload the necessary documents.
- Pay the service fees.
- A DLD employee reviews and approves the request.
- You receive the e-Contract Registration Certificate by email.
Who can use it:
- Dubai REST app: the tenant and the landlord must be individuals, and the owner's data must be up to date.
- Ejari system: licensed property management companies, individual owners managing their own property, and representatives of owners holding a legal power of attorney.
In person: Real Estate Services Trustee Centre
- Visit a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre, or the property management company if the property is managed by one.
- Submit the required documents.
- An employee reviews and approves the request.
- Pay the service fees and collect the receipt.
- Receive the e-Contract Registration Certificate.
Who can use it:
- The property must not be managed by a real estate company or by an owner who has Ejari system access.
- The applicant must be the tenant or a legal representative with an official power of attorney.
- The landlord must be the owner of the property or a legal representative with an official power of attorney.
Current Ejari registration fees
DLD publishes the following fees for registering a tenancy contract:
| Fee item | Online (Dubai REST / DLD website) | Trustee centre |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy contract registration | AED 100 | AED 100 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10 | AED 10 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10 | AED 10 |
| Service partner fee | AED 55 + AED 2.75 VAT | AED 95 + VAT |
| Total | AED 177.75 | AED 220 |
DLD accepts payment by credit card, cash or Noqodi wallet. Fees can change, so check the DLD service page before you pay.
Documents required for Ejari registration
DLD's official list depends on the channel.
Via the Dubai REST app:
- A copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract (for individuals and companies)
Via a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre:
- The original Unified Tenancy Contract
- The applicant's Emirates ID
- An official power of attorney if the applicant is a representative. A power of attorney issued in Dubai can be entered by its number; one issued in another emirate must be attached.
How long does Ejari registration take?
DLD states that registration at a trustee centre takes about 25 minutes, not including waiting time. For online applications, the request is reviewed and approved by a DLD employee, and the certificate is sent by email once approved.
How does Ejari renewal work?
DLD handles renewal through the same Register / Renew Tenancy Contract service, so the channels described above apply. You can renew online through the Ejari system or the Dubai REST app, or in person at a trustee centre. DLD publishes one fee schedule for this service.
Because the law covers lease contracts and any amendments to them, a renewed or amended contract should be registered again rather than relying on the previous certificate.
The rules on renewing the tenancy itself, including notice periods and rent increases, are covered in our guide to tenancy contract renewal and RERA rules.
How to download or check your Ejari certificate
If you registered online, DLD emails the certificate once the request is approved. You can also download it at any time through DLD's Download Rental Certificate (Ejari) e-service. To do this, you need:
- Your Ejari contract number
- Your DEWA premise number or your municipality number
It is also a quick way to confirm that the registered details match your signed contract. A mismatch is a warning sign, as our guide to avoiding rental scams in Dubai explains.
What happens if Ejari is not registered?
Registering lease contracts is a legal requirement under Article 4 of Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended. Not registering also has practical consequences. For example, DEWA requires tenants to submit an Ejari for its move-in service, which activates electricity and water at a new home.
An unregistered contract also leaves the tenancy without an official DLD record. It matters if a dispute arises too: the Rental Disputes Center asks for a copy of the latest lease (Ejari) when a rental case is filed.
Ejari FAQs
How much does Ejari registration cost?
DLD currently lists a total of AED 177.75 through the Dubai REST app or DLD website, and AED 220 at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre.
Can I register Ejari online?
Yes. The Dubai REST app works when both the tenant and the landlord are individuals. Property management companies and owners with access use the Ejari system.
Can Ejari be renewed online?
Yes. DLD offers registration and renewal as one service, available through the Ejari system, the Dubai REST app and trustee centres.
How do I download my Ejari certificate?
Use DLD's Download Rental Certificate (Ejari) e-service and enter your Ejari contract number with your DEWA premise number or municipality number. If you registered online, the certificate is also sent by email.
Who registers Ejari?
Under the Unified Tenancy Contract, the landlord undertakes to register it. Managed properties are registered by the management company; at a trustee centre, the tenant or an authorised representative can apply.
How long does Ejari registration take?
About 25 minutes at a trustee centre, excluding waiting time, according to DLD. Online requests are approved after a DLD review.
Final thoughts
Ejari registration is a short, low-cost step, but it gives your tenancy an official record and is needed for key move-in services. For the full rental journey, from viewing to moving in, see our step-by-step guide to renting a property in Dubai. If you are comparing short-term and long-term rentals, or you are ready to browse rental properties in Dubai, our team can help. Landlords who prefer to have registration and renewals handled for them can speak to our property management team.