Dubai — five bands (Decree 43/2013, Article 1)
| Current rent vs the RERA index average | Maximum increase |
|---|---|
| Less than 10% below (or at or above it) | 0% |
| 11%–20% below | 5% |
| 21%–30% below | 10% |
| 31%–40% below | 15% |
| More than 40% below | 20% |
The decree prints the bands in whole numbers. TenancyDesk applies them without gaps: up to and including 10% below → 0%; above 10% up to and including 20% → 5%; above 20% up to 30% → 10%; above 30% up to 40% → 15%; above 40% → 20%.
Example: index average AED 100,000, current rent AED 85,000 → 15% below → up to 5% → AED 89,250. The band is worked out again at every renewal.
Abu Dhabi — 5%, and 0% for now
Law No. 20 of 2006, Article 16(2): no more than 5% once a year, a percentage the Chairman of the Executive Council may raise, lower or cancel. Since 3 June 2026 an ADREC measure holds residential, commercial and industrial renewals at 0% — at the last rent registered on Tawtheeq — until further notice.
Sharjah — freeze, then fair rent
Law No. 5 of 2024: the rent is frozen for the first 3 years; after that, an increase is to the committee's "fair rent" (Executive Council Resolution 43/2024) — there is no percentage cap. If the tenant accepted an early increase, there is no further increase for 2 years.
Ras Al Khaimah — no statutory cap
RAK Law No. 5 of 2010 abrogated the law that set a cap; increases are a matter for the contract. (Secondary-sourced.)
Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain — reported figures
| Emirate | Reported rule | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman | 3-year freeze, then 20% (Decree 2/2017) | Secondary-sourced |
| Fujairah | 5% (Law 1/2011, amended by Law 4/2017) | Not confirmed |
| Umm Al Quwain | 10% (Law 1/2006, as amended) | Secondary-sourced |
Check these with the authority before relying on them.
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