Sharjah apartment rents increased by 15%-25% in 2024, yet the emirate remains one of the most affordable areas for renting. Landlords are working closely with tenants, aiming to maintain a fair balance during lease renewals.
Many tenants have accepted rent hikes, even with double-digit increases. Estate agents note that landlords communicated the higher rental demand clearly, giving tenants enough time to decide whether to renew or move. Recently, Dubai made it mandatory for landlords to inform tenants about rent increases 90 days or more in advance, following the launch of the real-time digital rental index.
“Sharjah apartment rents have increased gradually due to recent changes in rental rules,” said an estate agent who manages several residential buildings in Sharjah. “Tenants were worried that rents would increase as landlords tried to match the rates of new buildings, but that hasn’t happened.”
These steady rent hikes have attracted many new residents to Sharjah, especially those working in Dubai but living in Sharjah. Occupancy rates in both old and new buildings are at record highs, and available apartments typically stay on the market for just one to two weeks.
Sharjah may also introduce its own rental index sometime this year.
Sharjah Rent Increases:
Asteco’s 2024 review of the UAE property market shows that one-bedroom apartments in Sharjah saw an average increase of 24%, while two-bedroom apartments rose by 25%. In 2023, the increases were 12% and 10%, respectively. Three-bedroom apartment rents increased by 17% in 2024, compared to 9% the year before.
Rent Prices in Sharjah Neighborhoods:
For those looking for a one-bedroom apartment in Sharjah, rents in Al Majaz or Al Nahda are around Dh29,500 and Dh30,500 annually. In Al Khan, near Al Mamzar, rents are approximately Dh35,000, while Rolla has one-bedroom apartments available for around Dh21,000.
For two-bedroom apartments, rents in these areas range from Dh40,500 in Al Majaz, Dh38,500 in Al Nahda, and Dh26,500 in Rolla.
According to the Asteco report, tenant migration from Dubai to the Northern Emirates, especially Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman, has increased throughout the year. This trend is driven by lower rents, better development standards, improved infrastructure, and more flexible work arrangements. This mirrors past cycles of rising rents in Dubai.
Landlords Keeping Rents Fair:
“The good news for tenants is that landlords have not rushed to close the gap between new and old rental rates,” said one agent. “Even in buildings that have been heavily upgraded, Sharjah landlords have kept rent increases at levels that are still tenant-friendly.”
While some tenants may feel they are being charged more than the market rate in certain areas, such cases remain rare.
Sharjah’s rental market continues to be a popular and affordable choice for tenants, with landlords showing a willingness to keep rent increases reasonable and work with tenants during the renewal process.
