Tenant Rights in Abu Dhabi: Complete Guide [2026]

Abu Dhabi has its own tenancy laws, separate from Dubai. If you rent in Abu Dhabi, here is what you need to know about your rights under Law No. 20 of 2006 and its amendments.

Rent Increases Are Frozen at 0%

This is the single most important thing to know in 2026. On 2 June 2026, the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) issued a directive suspending all rent increases in Abu Dhabi until further notice. Key rules:

• The permitted increase is 0% — renewals must be at the existing rent
• It covers residential, commercial and industrial leases; ADGM communities are excepted
• If the unit is re-let to a new tenant, the rent must match the most recent registered Tawtheeq contract
• It is not retrospective — an increase agreed and registered before 2 June 2026 generally stands
• Landlords must still give 2 months written notice to change contract terms — that rule is unchanged, but notice does not make a currently-suspended increase lawful

No decree or resolution number has been published for the suspension, so treat any article quoting one with caution — it is properly described as an ADREC directive dated 2 June 2026.

Historic position: before 2 June 2026, Abu Dhabi applied a flat 5% annual cap (introduced by Law 4 of 2010, reinstated by Resolution 14 of 2016). That cap is now superseded. If a landlord or agent quotes "5% in Abu Dhabi", they are working from the old rules.

Some landlords are reportedly trying to work around the freeze — demanding cash above the contract value to "register" it, forcing fewer cheques, offering short 3-month renewals, or inventing new fees. These are improper. Get any such demand in writing.

Tawtheeq Registration (Not Ejari)

Abu Dhabi uses Tawtheeq (not Ejari) for tenancy contract registration. Key differences:

• Registration is through the TAMM platform
• It is mandatory for all residential and commercial leases
• Required for utility connections (ADDC), visa sponsorship, and government services
• Both landlord and tenant must cooperate to complete registration

Eviction Protections

Under Law 4 of 2010 (amending Law 20/2006):

• 12 months notarized notice for eviction for personal use
• 60 days notice for non-renewal (no reason needed, but only at contract expiry)
• No eviction during an active contract unless the tenant breaches terms

Maintenance and Repairs

Similar to Dubai, the landlord is responsible for structural maintenance. The tenant handles day-to-day minor repairs. If the landlord refuses to maintain the property, file a dispute with the ADJD.

Filing a Dispute in Abu Dhabi

Rental disputes are handled by the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee (RDSC) under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department:

• File online through the ADJD portal or in person
• Bring your Tawtheeq certificate, contract, and evidence
• Send a formal notice first — use our notice generator

Key Differences from Dubai

Related Resources

• Abu Dhabi Rent Increases: Frozen at 0% Since 2 June 2026
• Tawtheeq Registration Guide
• Tenant Rights in Dubai (for comparison)
• Ask Our AI Rights Assistant about Abu Dhabi tenancy law