Sub-letting: what's allowed and what isn't
You need written permission from the landlord. Without it, the landlord can evict for breach.
Under Law No. 26 of 2007, a tenant can't sub-let the property — or any part of it — without the landlord's written consent.
What counts as sub-letting
- Renting out a room while you also live there.
- Renting out the whole unit when you travel.
- Listing on short-term platforms (Airbnb, Booking) — this also requires a separate Holiday Homes permit from DTCM, which a tenant generally cannot obtain without the owner being involved.
What the landlord can do
- Issue a notice to remedy the breach.
- File for eviction at the Rental Disputes Centre. Unauthorised sub-letting is one of the few grounds for mid-contract eviction.
If you want to do it legitimately
Get the landlord's permission in a written addendum to the tenancy contract. Some landlords agree, especially for room shares; many do not. Without that addendum, you're exposed.
Short-term holiday rentals additionally need DTCM registration and a tourism dirham collection in place — usually only practical for the owner, not a tenant.
Sources: Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, DTCM Holiday Homes regulations.
Related questions
How a tenancy contract works in Dubai
Standard contracts are 12 months, paid in 1–4 cheques. Ejari registration makes the contract enforceable.
Security deposits: typical amounts and how to recover them
5% of annual rent for unfurnished, 10% for furnished. Document condition on day one to get it back without a fight.
Rent increases & the RERA Rental Index
Increases are capped by how far below market average your current rent is — 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%. The Rental Index sets the ceiling.