To apply for Ejari in Dubai, register your signed tenancy contract through the Dubai REST app, the Ejari online portal, or an approved real estate services trustee centre. You will need the signed contract, the title deed, Emirates ID or passport for landlord and tenant, the tenant's visa, and the DEWA premise number. Online registration via Dubai REST costs roughly AED 177.75 and the certificate is usually issued the same day once the landlord approves.
Ejari is the system run by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), part of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), that records every tenancy contract in Dubai. Registration is mandatory. Without it your lease is not formally recognised, and you cannot open a DEWA account, process certain visas, or file a rental dispute. This guide walks through the documents, the fee, and the exact steps.
How to apply for Ejari as a tenant
As a tenant, you do not need the landlord physically present to register, but you do need their approval on the submission, since Ejari records a contract both sides have already signed. There are 3 official routes, and they all produce the same certificate.
- Dubai REST app: the DLD's own app, signed in with UAE Pass. This is the fastest and usually the cheapest route, and the one most tenants use.
- Ejari online portal: the web service through the DLD, also linked to UAE Pass.
- Real estate services trustee centre: an approved office that does the registration for you in person, useful if you would rather not handle the upload yourself.
If an agent or property manager handles your lease, they can register Ejari on your behalf. When ERE Homes manages a tenancy, we take care of this step as part of our property and tenancy services, so owners and tenants are not left chasing paperwork. For the fully online route in more detail, including what to do if the landlord's approval is slow, see our walkthrough on how to register Ejari online.
Documents you need before you start
Having everything ready in advance is what keeps the registration to a single sitting.
| Document | Who provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Signed unified tenancy contract | Landlord and tenant | Must be agreed and signed by both sides before registration starts |
| Title deed copy | Landlord | Confirms ownership and the property's identity in the system |
| Emirates ID or passport | Landlord and tenant | Both parties, current and unexpired |
| Tenant's UAE residence visa | Tenant | Required for a standard residential lease |
| DEWA premise number | Tenant, from a bill or the DEWA app | 9 digit code tied to the property |
| Security deposit receipt | Landlord or agent | Confirms the deposit has been paid |
The DEWA premise number is a 9 digit code tied to the property. You can find it on a previous DEWA bill, inside the DEWA app, on the unit's door frame, or on the villa utility box. If the contract is signed by a representative rather than the owner, a valid power of attorney is also required, and commercial units need a trade licence.
Step by step: registering Ejari online
The Dubai REST app is the route most tenants use. The steps are short.
1. Download Dubai REST from the App Store or Google Play and sign in with UAE Pass. 2. Open Services and choose Ejari, then select register or renew a tenancy contract. 3. Enter the DEWA premise number so the system can pull the correct property and plot details. 4. Fill in the contract details: lease start and end dates, annual rent, and the number of cheques. 5. Upload your documents: the signed contract, Emirates ID, passport, and title deed copy. 6. Submit for landlord approval. The landlord confirms the request through their own DLD account or the app. 7. Pay the fee and download the certificate. Once approved and paid, the Ejari certificate is issued as a PDF, usually the same day, and sent to your email.
That certificate is your proof that the tenancy is officially registered. Keep a copy, because you will be asked for it more than once. For the numbered version of this same flow with a rejection-troubleshooting section, see how to register Ejari online.
What Ejari costs
The fee is modest, and it changes slightly depending on where you register. Always confirm the current figure on the DLD or Ejari site before you pay, as government fees are reviewed from time to time.
- Online via Dubai REST: about AED 177.75 in total. That breaks down as an AED 100 registration fee, an AED 10 knowledge fee, an AED 10 innovation fee, and a service partner fee of AED 55 plus VAT.
- At a trustee centre: a little more, typically around AED 220, because the in person service partner fee is higher.
These are the registration fees only. They are separate from your rent, your security deposit, and any agency commission.
Why Ejari matters
Ejari is not box ticking. It is what makes your tenancy enforceable and connects it to the rest of Dubai's rental system.
- DEWA connection: you need a valid Ejari to open a water and electricity account.
- Visa processing: Ejari is required for sponsoring family residence visas and several other government services.
- Dispute resolution: if a disagreement reaches the Rental Disputes Centre, a registered Ejari is the contract the centre recognises.
- Rent increase protection: a registered contract is the baseline the RERA rental index uses, which sits behind the rules on how much rent can rise.
In short, the lease itself is the agreement, and Ejari is what gives it legal standing in Dubai.
Ejari at renewal and when you move
Ejari is renewed each time you renew your tenancy, normally once a year. The renewal keeps your contract registered and valid, and it is worth starting a couple of months before your current contract ends so there is time for any negotiation. We cover the timing and paperwork in our guide to renewing a tenancy contract in Dubai.
If you move to a new property, the old Ejari does not carry over. You register a fresh Ejari against the new contract and address. For how the underlying contract should be written in the first place, see our note on the Dubai tenancy agreement.
Whether you are renting a home or letting one out, getting Ejari right protects both sides. If you are weighing up where to buy or rent next, you can browse properties for rent in Dubai or read our take on reading a good rental deal in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Ejari cost in Dubai?
Registering Ejari online through Dubai REST costs about AED 177.75 in total, made up of an AED 100 registration fee, AED 10 knowledge fee, AED 10 innovation fee, and an AED 55 service partner fee plus VAT. At a real estate services trustee centre the total is a little higher, usually around AED 220, because the in person service fee is larger. Confirm the current amount on the DLD or Ejari website before you pay.
How do I apply for Ejari as a tenant?
Register through the Dubai REST app or the Ejari online portal using your UAE Pass, or visit an approved trustee centre. You will need the signed tenancy contract, Emirates ID or passport for both landlord and tenant, the title deed, your residence visa, and the DEWA premise number. The landlord has to approve the request before the certificate is issued.
How long does it take to get an Ejari certificate?
Online registration through Dubai REST is usually processed the same day, and the certificate is issued instantly as a PDF once the landlord approves the request and the fee is paid. In person registration at a trustee centre takes roughly 25 minutes plus any waiting time. Delays almost always come down to missing documents or details that do not match the tenancy contract.
Do I need to be a Dubai resident to register Ejari?
No. Both residents and non residents can register Ejari as long as there is a valid tenancy contract for a property in Dubai. What matters is that the property is in Dubai and the lease is a formal, legally binding agreement. The tenant's residence visa is still part of the standard document set for a residential lease.
Is Ejari registration mandatory?
Yes. Ejari registration is mandatory for every tenancy in Dubai under RERA rules. Without it your lease is not formally recognised, which means you cannot open a DEWA account, complete certain visa steps, or rely on the contract at the Rental Disputes Centre. Registering also protects both landlord and tenant by putting the agreed terms on official record.
Can someone register Ejari on my behalf?
Yes. A real estate agent, property manager, or an approved trustee centre can register Ejari for you, and a representative can sign with a valid power of attorney. You stay responsible for the information being correct, so check the details before they submit. When ERE Homes manages a property, we handle Ejari registration as part of the service.
Where do I find the DEWA premise number for Ejari?
The DEWA premise number is a 9 digit code unique to the unit. You can find it on a recent DEWA bill, inside the DEWA app under the account dashboard, on the door frame of an apartment, or on the utility box of a villa. The Ejari system uses this number to pull the correct property and plot details automatically.
We register Ejari for you. Need a hand with your tenancy or property management in Dubai? Talk to the ERE Homes team or message us on WhatsApp and we will guide you through it.
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