Dubai Property Management Guide
Dubai property management typically costs 5–8% of annual rent for long-term letting, plus a one-off letting fee of about 5%. For an overseas owner it covers tenant sourcing, Ejari registration, rent collection, maintenance and the annual RERA rent-index review.
Key takeaways
- Management: 5–8% of rent. Letting fee: ~5% one-off.
- Ejari registration is mandatory for every tenancy.
- Rent is commonly paid in 1–4 cheques annually.
- Rent increases are capped by the RERA rental index.
What a manager should be doing
- Market the unit and vet tenants (passport, visa, salary certificate)
- Draft the tenancy contract and register Ejari
- Collect and bank rent cheques, remit to your overseas account
- Handle maintenance within an agreed spend threshold
- Manage move-in/move-out, DEWA transfers and deposit reconciliation
- Review rent annually against the RERA index and serve 90-day notices
Cost model on an AED 95,000 tenancy
| Line | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Annual rent | 95,000 |
| Letting fee (one-off, 5%) | 4,750 |
| Management (7%) | 6,650 |
| Ejari registration | 220 |
| Maintenance allowance | 3,000 |
| Net before service charge | ~80,380 |
The RERA rent index and increase caps
Dubai caps rent increases by reference to how far the current rent sits below the RERA index for comparable units — from no increase where rent is within 10% of market, up to 20% where it is more than 40% below. Increases require 90 days' written notice before renewal.
That cap protects tenants but also means under-renting a unit in year one is expensive to correct. Setting the opening rent correctly is the highest-leverage decision an absentee owner makes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does property management cost in Dubai?
Usually 5–8% of annual rent for ongoing management, plus a one-off letting fee of around 5% of the first year's rent.
What is Ejari?
Ejari is the Dubai Land Department's mandatory tenancy registration system. Registration costs about AED 220 per year and is required for DEWA connection and visa processes.
Can I manage a Dubai property from overseas?
Yes, and most overseas owners do. A licensed manager handles tenants, Ejari, maintenance and remits net rent to your home-country account.