When and by how much can you legally raise rent?

From a landlord's side, the limits on rent increases mirror the protections tenants have. There are two requirements: the increase must fit the RERA cap, and you must give the tenant at least 90 days' written notice before the renewal date.

Step-by-step

1. Check the cap. Use the Rental Increase Calculator in the Dubai REST app. Plug in your unit type, size, area, and current rent. It returns the legal ceiling (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%).
2. Send the notice. Put it in writing — email is fine for many cases, but if you anticipate dispute, send it via registered mail or notary for proof. Send no later than 90 days before contract end.
3. Negotiate or hold. The tenant can accept, propose less, or refuse. If they refuse, the contract auto-renews on the previous terms.
4. If you push past the cap at RDC, you'll lose. The calculator output is what the tribunal uses.

Common mistakes

• Verbal "we'll talk closer to the date" — that's not notice.
• Notice within the 90-day window — too late.
• Increase larger than the calculator allows — unenforceable.

Reasonable, well-documented increases at the RERA-allowed level are routine. Trying to circumvent the cap is what creates RDC traffic.

Sources: Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013, Law No. 33 of 2008.