Dubai property management: letting your home without being there
Most of our clients buy in Dubai to rent out, and live elsewhere. This guide explains how long-term and short-term (Holiday Home) letting work, the rules to follow, and how Cevitas helps you prepare the letting.
- Ejari mandatory registration of every lease with the DLD
- DET Holiday Home permit for short-term letting
- 90 days notice to change the terms of a lease
- 0% tax on rental income in Dubai
- 1 point of contact, from handover to first rent
Long-term or Holiday Home: two different jobs
| Long-term letting | Holiday Home (short-term) | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Usually a one-year lease, renewable | By the night or the week |
| Framework | Lease registered on Ejari (Dubai Land Department) | Holiday Home permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Work | Find the tenant, collect rent, renew | Cleaning, linen, check-in, reviews, nightly pricing |
| Income | Stable, known in advance | Varies with the season and occupancy |
The right choice depends on the area, the size of the unit and how regular you need the income to be. We decide it with you from the rents registered with the DLD for the building and the area, available on our area price pages.
Long-term letting, step by step
- Preparing the unit: handover inspection, snags reported to the developer, furnishing if needed, professional photos.
- Rent level: set from the leases registered in the building and the area, not from listings.
- Listing: advert with a Trakheesi permit, viewings, tenant screening.
- Lease and Ejari: standard contract, security deposit, cheques or transfers, then Ejari registration. On renewal, rent increases follow the official Decree No. 43 of 2013 scale.
- Key handover: check-in report with photos, meter readings and access.
- Follow-up: rent collection, small repairs, renewal and check-out report.
Rent increases. On renewal, any increase is capped by the RERA rental index, and any change to the lease terms must be notified to the tenant at least 90 days before expiry.
Short-term letting (Holiday Home)
Letting by the night requires a Holiday Home permit issued by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), for the unit and for the operator. Building and community rules also apply, and some buildings restrict it.
- Operations: nightly rates, calendar, booking platforms, guest check-in.
- Upkeep: cleaning and linen between stays, small repairs, consumables.
- Obligations: guest registration and collection of the tourism fee set by the DET.
Charges, fees and tax
| Item | Who pays | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Service charges | The owner | Rate per square foot approved by RERA and published in the DLD's Mollak system |
| Water and electricity (DEWA) | The tenant on long-term leases | Connected in the tenant's name using the Ejari |
| Letting commission | The tenant | Market practice, paid to the agent who finds the tenant |
| Management | The owner | A percentage of rent, depending on the letting mode |
| Tax on rent | None in Dubai | Your country of residence may tax it: check with your tax adviser |
How Cevitas helps with letting
- Before you buy: long-term versus Holiday Home is part of the selection, with a rent estimate based on leases registered with the DLD.
- Before handover: we help you prepare the letting (furnishing, letting mode, timing).
- Day-to-day management: on request, we introduce you to a licensed property manager, and you compare their offer before committing.
You keep a point of contact who has known your unit since the reservation, in English, French or Arabic.
Frequently asked questions
Can I let a property in Dubai without living there?
Yes. Most foreign owners let remotely. The lease is registered on Ejari, rent is paid by cheques or transfer, and the managing agent handles viewings, inspections and renewals. A power of attorney is usually not needed for day-to-day letting.
What is Ejari?
Ejari is the Dubai Land Department's lease registration system. Every residential lease must be registered on it. It protects both owner and tenant, and the tenant needs it to connect water and electricity and for some administrative steps.
Do I need a permit to let by the night?
Yes. Short-term letting requires a Holiday Home permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and compliance with building rules. Stays are registered and the tourism fee is collected from guests.
Can the landlord raise the rent freely?
No. On renewal, the allowed increase depends on the RERA rental index for the area, and any change must be notified to the tenant at least 90 days before the lease ends.
Is rental income taxed?
Dubai does not tax individuals' rental income. Your country of tax residence may, under the tax treaties in force. Have your situation checked by a tax adviser.
Let's talk about your rental
Send us the address or the project: we reply with a rent estimate based on leases registered with the DLD.