What is Ejari registration in Dubai?

Ejari is the official system for registering tenancy contracts in Dubai, managed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). It was introduced in 2007 to regulate the rental market and protect both landlords and tenants. All residential and commercial leases in Dubai must be registered.

What happens if my landlord does not register Ejari?

Without Ejari registration, you may be unable to connect DEWA (utilities), sponsor dependents on your visa, or access government housing services. You can send a formal notice demanding registration and, if the landlord refuses, file a complaint with RERA or the RDC.

How much does Ejari registration cost?

The official Ejari registration fee is approximately AED 220 (including knowledge and innovation fees). Typing centres may charge additional service fees. The cost is typically borne by the tenant, but this can be negotiated.

Ejari Registration: Why Your Landlord Must Register

Ejari (Arabic for "my rent") is Dubai's official tenancy contract registration system. It's mandatory — and your landlord is legally required to ensure your contract is registered. Here's what every tenant needs to know.

What Is Ejari?

Ejari is the official system managed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the Dubai Land Department. Introduced in 2007, it creates a transparent record of all rental agreements in Dubai and helps regulate the rental market.

Why Ejari Matters

Without Ejari registration, you cannot:

Connect DEWA — Dubai Electricity and Water Authority requires Ejari for new connections
Sponsor dependents — Immigration requires Ejari as proof of residence for visa sponsorship
File at the RDC — The Rental Disputes Centre requires a valid Ejari certificate for dispute cases
Access housing services — Various government services require Ejari verification

Who Is Responsible for Registration?

Your landlord is ultimately responsible for ensuring the contract is registered in Ejari. In practice, both parties need to cooperate — but the landlord must provide the necessary documents including:

Title deed or landlord's authorization
Landlord's Emirates ID or passport
The signed tenancy contract

What to Do If Your Landlord Refuses

If your landlord refuses to register Ejari or delays unreasonably:

Send a formal written notice — Use our notice generator to create an Ejari demand notice
Set a deadline — Give the landlord 14 days to complete registration
File a complaint with RERA — Contact RERA's customer service to report the non-registration
File at the RDC — You can file a case at the Rental Disputes Centre to compel registration

Ejari Registration Process

Registration can be done through:

Dubai REST app — The DLD's official mobile application
Typing centres — Authorized service centres across Dubai
Online portal — Through the Ejari website

The process takes about 15–30 minutes and costs approximately AED 220 (official fees plus knowledge/innovation fees).

Check Your Ejari Status

Not sure if your contract is registered? You can check through the Dubai REST app or by calling the DLD customer service. If it's not registered, take action today — your rights depend on it.

Related Resources

Complete Guide to Tenant Rights in Dubai
Check Your Rent Increase with our free RERA calculator
Ask Our AI Rights Assistant about Ejari requirements
Scan Your Tenancy Contract to check for missing protections