Ejari registration: what it is and how to do it
Ejari is the official record of your tenancy contract. You can't activate DEWA, get a parking permit, or sponsor family without it.
Ejari (Arabic for "my rent") is the Dubai Land Department's tenancy registration system. Every tenancy contract in Dubai must be registered there to be legally enforceable.
Why it matters
- Required to activate DEWA in your name.
- Required for residence visa renewals and family sponsorship.
- Without Ejari, the Rental Disputes Centre won't hear a case for or against you.
How to register
- Either you or your landlord can register. Many landlords charge it back to the tenant.
- Use the Dubai REST app or the Ejari app, or a typing centre.
- You'll need: signed tenancy contract, your Emirates ID, your landlord's title deed, the previous DEWA bill, and a passport copy.
- Government fee is around AED 220 (the figure can change — confirm in the app).
You'll get an Ejari certificate with a unique contract number. Save it — you'll be asked for that number repeatedly.
Sources: Dubai Land Department, Ejari app.
Related questions
Why your Emirates ID comes first
Almost every other step — tenancy, utilities, banking — depends on your Emirates ID being issued first.
What is handover, and what is snagging?
Handover is when the developer gives you the keys. Snagging is the inspection process where you list every defect that needs fixing.
Connecting DEWA in a new home
Most activations are done online in 1–2 working days. You'll pay a refundable security deposit upfront.