Ejari registration in Dubai
Despite record-breaking transactions and soaring property prices, Dubai's real estate sector is expected to continue expanding in 2023. As of 2022, apartments still make up 83.5 percent of all rental contracts in Dubai, followed by villas/townhouses at 8.4 percent. Other than the fact that accommodation is available through registered real estate brokers (agents) and private property websites, you also need to be familiar with the Ejari registration system and Ejari certificates as they are extremely important aspects when it comes to renting/leasing in Dubai.
What is Ejari?
Rental market and tenancy contracts in Dubai are regulated by Ejari, a system and initiative launched by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), whose name in Arabic means 'my rent'. Since 2010, Ejari Dubai has been the state-of-the-art portal that requires registration of all rental and lease contracts in Dubai, an initiative implemented in 2010.
What is an Ejari Certificate?
In Dubai, the Ejari Certificate is a tenancy contract requirement. It’s a document, issued by the Dubai Land Department, valid for one year, that ensures rental contracts are integrated into the legal system and can be easily revised in the event of a disagreement, ensuring openness and transparency between landlord and tenant. In the event of a dispute, the Ejari certificate also protects the rights of both the landlord and tenant.
Why do you need an Ejari Certificate?
In addition to tenancy contracts, you also need this certificate for the following:
New and renewal of residence visas
Telephone/television/internet connection
Electricity and water (DEWA) connection
Procurement of commercial license
Procurement of alcohol license
Domestic staff employment
Ejari registration
The landlords/tenants and/or their representatives, property management companies and real estate brokers can register Ejari in Dubai. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to register the tenancy contract. Landlords usually assign this task to their real estate agents, but tenants often complete the process and pay the fees themselves.
Ejari registration can be done in person, through the real estate service trustee centers or the so-called typing centers in Dubai. The other way is online, through three platforms, namely, the Ejari system (Dubai Land Department’s website), Dubai REST App and Dubai Now App. You’ll get the certificate instantly through the system and application, whereas, the service time is 7 minutes not including the waiting time.
Ejari typing centers operate Saturday to Thursday and follow general working hours, Monday to Friday 08:00 am to 08:00 pm or Saturdays 09:00 am to 02:00 pm.
Ejari number
Once you register your Ejari (online or in person), you'll receive an Ejari number, which is a unique barcode.
In-person registration
To register the Ejari in-person, follow these steps:
Visit one of the real estate service trustee centers or one of the real estate management companies in case the property is managed by them
Submit the required documents and make sure that they are complete
Wait for the transaction data to be entered into the system, verified and approved by the employee
Pay the fees and receive a receipt of payment
Receive the contract registration certificate and the Ejari contract
Online registration
For online registration through the Ejari system (Dubai Land Department’s website), Dubai REST App or Dubai Now App, follow these steps:
Register and create an account or login through the system or application and choose the service
Complete the data, and submit all the required documents
Pay the fees and send the application electronically
Wait for the assigned employee to receive and review the application
Receive the contract registration certificate via email if the request is approved
The documents you need when registering Ejari
Original of the signed tenancy contract
Security deposit receipt
Tenant’s Emirates ID, passport or UAE Visa (non-GCC nationals)
Copy of the landlord’s passport (if an individual)
Copy of a valid power of attorney document (if the contract has been signed by a PoA); Power of Attorney documents must be renewed every year to remain valid
Copy of the title deed of the rented property
Trade license (in the case of commercial properties)
Fees and payment methods
You can pay via Noqodi, with cash, debit or credit card. If you register the Ejari through the app or the system, the fees are the following:
AED 100 for the registration of Ejari contracts (excluding VAT)
AED 10 knowledge fee
AED 10 innovation fee
However, if you finalize your Ejari registration through real estate services trustees centers, then the fees are:
AED 120 + Service Partners fees of 95 AED + VAT on Service Partner fees
Ejari Certificate example
Here’s what the first page of the Ejari Certificate (Tenancy contract information registration certificate) looks like:
Ejari registration centers
For in-person services, here are the Ejari Trustees Centers, DLD-approved companies that can help you register, renew, and cancel your Ejari:
1. Al Tabu Real Estate Trustee Services, Al Nahda Road, Al Qusais 2
2. Al Taresh Real Estate Services Trustee: Dubai Municipality, Al Kifaf Center
3. Takhlees Government Services - Creek Tower, Baniyas Road, Deira
4. Al Manara Real Estate Registration Trustee - Al Manara Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa
Renewal and cancellation of Ejari
When it comes to renewal, it’s recommended that tenants renew their Ejari when they are about to change their rental property or when their lease period is up. As for landlords, they should do this when they’re about to have a new tenant.
The documents you need Ejari renewal are listed below:
Copies of the Emirates ID, passport and visa of the tenant
Copies of the Emirates ID or passport of the landlord
Copy of the title deed
Previous Ejari copy
DEWA bill (not older than 2 months)
On the other hand, since there can only be one Ejari registration per property, it is the landlord's responsibility to cancel the Ejari once the tenant moves out. A new tenant will not be able to register if the previous Ejari is not canceled. In order to cancel the old Ejari contract, the landlord must visit any Ejari office in Dubai and submit the cancellation letter and the old Ejari contract. It usually takes an hour and costs AED 30.
Ejari renewal online
It is possible to renew Ejari online in three different ways:
Dubai REST App
DubaiNow App
All three methods of online renewal work nearly the same (similar to the registration process):
Register or log in with your Emirates ID or your existing account on the website/apps
Choose the service - Ejari renewal
Fill in the data and upload the required documents
Pay the Ejari renewal fees via Noqodi or Credit/Debit card
Submit the form and wait for verification
Receive a new Ejari certificate via email
To wrap up
We hope we have explained clearly how important an Ejari is and how it can be registered in Dubai. Whether you are a tenant looking to buy a property in Dubai or a landlord wanting to invest more in Dubai real estate, Kredium can help you. Contact us, register on our website or use our search portal and choose from thousands of properties from all the top developers.
If you need help with financing, we will provide you with personalized loan offers and guide you through the entire mortgage process regardless of whether you are a UAE national, an expat living in the UAE, or a non-resident. Also, with our mortgage calculator, you can calculate your monthly mortgage payments, rental yields (for investment properties), and more.
For more information on UAE mortgages and real estate, head to our blog section.
Photo credits:
Ejari official logo
Ejari template | Abu Dhabi2
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