Abu Dhabi rent increase rules for landlords
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source for your emirate before you act.
Since 2 June 2026, Abu Dhabi landlords cannot raise rent at renewal. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) cut the permitted annual increase from 5% to 0%, effective until further notice. The renewal rent must equal the rent in the unit's last registered Tawtheeq contract. This also applies when you re-let a previously rented unit to a new tenant: the rent cannot exceed the last registered Tawtheeq rent.
What this means in numbers
- Last registered Tawtheeq rent AED 90,000. Under the old 5% cap you could renew at up to AED 94,500. Now the renewal is AED 90,000.
- Your unit is renting for AED 110,000 on the market, but the last registered rent is AED 90,000. The new tenant also pays AED 90,000.
- A contract renewed and registered before 2 June 2026 is not changed. The freeze is not retrospective.
What the freeze covers
- Residential, commercial and industrial property under ADREC's jurisdiction.
- Renewals processed while the measure is in force, and new leases on previously rented units.
What it does not cover
- Property under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which includes Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island. It is outside ADREC's jurisdiction, so the 0% cap does not apply, and ADGM has its own rules.
- Municipality fees, utilities and service charges are separate from rent.
What you can still do
- Negotiate non-rent terms at renewal, such as the cheque schedule or the length of the renewal.
- Keep the Tawtheeq registration accurate. The registered rent is the reference figure.
- Plan for the end of the freeze. ADREC calls it temporary and has set no end date, so keep your renewal dates and notes ready.
If a tenant says you charged too much
Tenants can complain to ADREC. Keep the renewal contract and the Tawtheeq record.
How DOSH helps
DOSH reads your contract and keeps the expiry date, the current rent and your renewal dates together, so a renewal does not catch you by surprise. It can also compare your rent with live listings for your building, labelled as an estimate, so you know where you stand when the rent is capped.
Frequently asked questions
Can I raise rent in Abu Dhabi in 2026?
Not at renewal for property under ADREC's jurisdiction while the 0% measure is in force. The renewal rent equals the last registered Tawtheeq rent. You can change other terms by agreement.
Can I set a higher rent for a new tenant?
Not on a previously rented unit. The rent cannot exceed the last registered Tawtheeq rent for that unit.
Does the cap apply to Al Reem Island?
No. Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island fall under ADGM, not ADREC, so the ADREC 0% cap does not apply there. ADGM has its own tenancy framework, so check its rules for your building.
When does the freeze end?
There is no end date. ADREC describes it as temporary and is still assessing the market. Check ADREC for announcements.