Dubai property owners must enter modification details for Ejari rent contracts
Dubai Landlords Now Required to Disclose Property Modifications in Ejari
Effective August 4, 2025, the Dubai Land Department introduced a noteworthy update: landlords must now report any property modifications when creating or renewing Ejari rent contracts.
Why This Matters
Dubai’s new “smart” Rental Index now evaluates rental rates based on a building’s star rating—taking into account factors such as common areas, facilities, and maintenance rather than just location-based averages
This shift means landlords who have refurbished or upgraded their units should declare such changes to enhance their property’s star rating and, consequently, their rental yield.
What Landlords Need to Do
- Prior to initiating any tenancy contract, update the relevant fields in the Ejari system under Property Details → Usage → Type.
- The system will validate changes against Dubai Municipality’s official records. If matched, the contract process can proceed.
- Remember: modifications must only be entered when the property is vacant, ensuring accuracy and fairness
Benefits of the New Requirement
For landlords, this transparency allows refurbished units to be rightfully rewarded in the Rental Index, leading to potentially higher rents.
For tenants, it brings clarity to what they’re paying for—letting them make informed decisions when choosing a property or negotiating lease terms
TL;DR
- New Ejari rule (as of August 4, 2025): Declare property upgrades when registering a contract.
- Why: Dubai’s new Rental Index uses star ratings, not just location data.
- How: Update the Ejari property details section before contract initiation, and only when the property is unoccupied.
- Outcome: Refurbished units receive fairer rental treatment, while tenants benefit from full transparency.