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Moving into a new place in Dubai feels like a fresh start. Ejari is one essential step every tenant and landlord needs to handle before settling down. It is the backbone of Dubai’s rental system, the thing that keeps everything clear, transparent, and legally recognised. Most people only realise how crucial it is when they try to connect with DEWA, renew a visa, or sort out a dispute. That’s usually when it becomes obvious that without Ejari, nothing moves. So here’s the point: understanding what Ejari is, why it’s mandatory, who can register it, the documents required, and how to complete the process spares you a lot of unnecessary confusion. Whether you're a tenant, a landlord, or a business leasing space, knowing how Ejari works keeps everything running smoothly.

What is Ejari?

Ejari literally means “my rent” in Arabic. But in practice, it’s the rental registration system managed by RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) under the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The system logs every tenancy contract in a central database so that the agreement is legally recognised.

This isn’t just bureaucracy. It’s backed by Law No. 26 of 2007 and Law No. 33 of 2008, which made Ejari registration mandatory for every rental contract in Dubai.

Here’s the point:
Ejari protects everyone involved: landlords, tenants, and even government entities that rely on accurate address data.

Its core purpose is to:

• Create a legal record of every tenancy contract
• Standardise rental agreements
• Protect both sides during disputes
• Bring transparency to the rental market
• Prevent fake or duplicate contracts

If you skip Ejari, you run into immediate problems. You can’t connect to DEWA. Your rental contract won’t be recognised in court. Visa renewals get delayed. And if you happen to be a business leasing a commercial space, your trade license renewal becomes impossible.

In August 2025, Dubai tightened the rules: tenants now have to declare all co-living occupants or roommates when registering or renewing Ejari.

If someone’s living in your space, they must be listed. This update helps regulate co-living and ensures authorities know who’s residing where. It also protects the listed occupants legally if disputes arise.

Who’s Responsible for Registering Ejari?

Legally, a landlord is responsible for registering Ejari, but in the real world, it varies.

What actually happens most of the time:

• The real estate agent does it
• The property manager handles it
• The tenant does it because they need DEWA or visa paperwork
• An authorised representative handles it with a Power of Attorney

Here’s the straightforward breakdown.

Landlord

The owner can register everything themselves if they have an active Ejari profile. Some landlords prefer this, especially if they manage their own properties.

Tenant

Tenants often end up doing the registration because it’s faster if they need urgent utilities or visa renewals.

Agent or Property Manager

Many landlords pass the responsibility to an agent or manager. They just sign off.

Power of Attorney

If you're abroad or busy, someone can register on your behalf if they have a valid PoA.

This flexibility keeps things moving, but remember:
the person doing the registration must have the required documents from both the tenant and the landlord.

Do Businesses Need Ejari?

Absolutely, any company renting an office, warehouse, shop, or commercial space must have a valid Ejari certificate. Without it, the business hits a wall with paperwork.

A few examples:

• You can’t apply for or renew a trade license
• You can’t apply for DEWA
• You can’t sponsor employees
• You can’t renew visas for staff or business owners
• Your contract won’t be valid at the Rental Disputes Centre

If a company’s Ejari expires, everything stalls. This is why start-ups, SMEs, and corporate tenants all take Ejari very seriously.

What You Need Before Registering Ejari

Whether you’re renting a home or office, the documents you need are almost the same. Missing even one page can cause delays or rejection, especially for online submissions.

For Residential Ejari

You’ll need:

• The signed tenancy contract (the unified format)
• Tenant’s passport copy
• Tenant’s Emirates ID
• Tenant’s residence visa (if they’re not a citizen)
• Landlord’s Emirates ID or passport copy
• Title deed or ownership certificate
• DEWA premise number or a recent DEWA bill
• Security deposit receipt
• Power of Attorney (only if someone is registering for you)

For Commercial Ejari

All of the above, plus:

• Company trade license copy

Additional approvals, depending on zoning or free zones

How to Register Your Ejari in Dubai: Step-by-Step

You have two options: online or offline.
Online is faster. Offline is helpful if you prefer someone to guide you through the paperwork.

Option A: Register Ejari Online (Dubai REST App or DLD Website)

If you’re comfortable with apps and online systems, this is the easiest route.

Step 1: Download the Dubai REST App
It’s available on both iOS and Android.
You can also use the Dubai Land Department website.

Step 2: Log In with UAE Pass
This verifies your identity instantly.

Step 3: Choose “Register Ejari Contract”
The service appears under rental management.

Step 4: Enter the contract details
Rental amount, start date, contract duration, and property details.

Step 5: Upload the required documents
Make sure the files are high-resolution.

Step 6: Submit the application
The system then waits for landlord approval.

Step 7: Pay the fees
Payments are handled online.

Step 8: Receive your Ejari certificate
It will be issued digitally.

This entire process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of days, depending on how quickly the landlord approves it.

Option B: Register in Person at Ejari Typing Centres or Trustee Offices

If you want someone to handle everything for you, go offline.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Visit any authorised trustee office or typing centre
There are dozens across Dubai.

Step 2: Bring all your documents
Originals and copies.

Step 3: The Staff uploads everything into the Ejari system
They’ll verify the contract and identities.

Step 4: Pay the fee
Fees vary slightly by centre.

Step 5: Receive your certificate
Some give you a printed certificate; others provide a digital link where you can download it.

This method is predictable and ideal for people who prefer face-to-face support.

Ejari Renewal: Don’t Skip It

Your Ejari doesn’t automatically renew with your tenancy contract. Every year, when you renew your lease, you also need to renew Ejari.

Why renewal matters:

• Your DEWA account is tied to your active Ejari
• Your visa applications rely on it
• Businesses need it for license renewals
• The system treats expired Ejari as an inactive tenancy

The renewal process is almost identical to the initial registration, only faster because most details already exist in the system.

Ejari Cancellation: What Happens When You Move Out?

This part often gets ignored, but it’s more important than people realise.

When your tenancy ends, the Ejari must be cancelled.
If it isn’t, the system still shows you as the current tenant, which blocks the landlord from registering the next tenant.

Who usually cancels it?
The landlord or property manager. Tenants can request it, but the official cancellation is usually triggered from the owner’s side.

How to cancel:

• The landlord logs in to the Dubai REST app and cancels the Ejari online
• Or you visit a trustee typing centre and request the cancellation
• Once processed, the system marks the property as vacant

If you're a business, cancellation is even more important because your trade license can get stuck if Ejari shows outdated information.

What to Do Right After You Get Your Ejari Certificate

Most people think the process ends once they receive the certificate — but the follow-up steps matter.

1. Activate DEWA

Your Ejari registration is linked to the utility system. Once Ejari is issued, you can set up or transfer DEWA without delays.

2. Use Ejari for Visa, Emirates ID, and Residency Processes

Whenever you renew your residence visa, you’ll often be asked for your Ejari certificate as proof of address.

3. Keep Both Digital and Printed Copies

You never know when you'll need it for a dispute, a government request, or a visa update.

4. Update Ejari When Something Changes

If you extend the lease, add co-tenants, change the rent amount, or shift dates, make sure the new information is reflected in the system.

5. Know Your Rights

With Ejari, your tenancy contract becomes legally recognised.
If you ever need to file a case at the Rental Disputes Centre, Ejari is your first piece of evidence.

Why Ejari Matters 

People sometimes treat Ejari as a formality, but it’s actually your safety net.

With Ejari in place:

• Your rights as a tenant or landlord are protected
• You have a legal contract that the government recognises
• Your utilities and government services get processed faster
• Any disagreement between you and your landlord becomes easier to resolve
• Businesses can operate without interruptions

Dubai’s rental market is fast, dynamic, and regulated for a reason. Ejari is one of the tools that keeps it stable.

Need Professional Help? Gulf Central Can Handle the Process for You

If you’re renting a new home or office in Dubai and the paperwork feels like too much to manage, you’re not alone. Many residents and business owners prefer handing over the process to experienced professionals who know the system inside out.

Gulf Central helps with:

• Ejari registration for residential and commercial properties
• Ejari renewal and cancellation
• Trade license requirements linked to Ejari
• Office and workspace leasing
• All related paperwork and government approvals

Whether you're an individual tenant or a company setting up in Dubai, we make the administrative side smooth so you can focus on settling in or growing your business.