RERA Index Calculator Dubai — Complete 2026 Guide

The RERA index calculator is a free online tool from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) that tells you whether a rent increase is legally allowed at contract renewal — and if so, by how much. Whether you are a tenant checking a landlord’s proposed hike or a landlord setting a fair renewal price, this guide walks you through every step, explains the rent increase caps, and covers the latest Smart Rental Index updates for 2026.

What Is the RERA Index Calculator?

RERA stands for the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department. Among its key responsibilities is maintaining the official Rental Price Index — a database of average rental values across all areas and property types in Dubai.

The RERA index calculator (also referred to as the RERA rental increase calculator or rental index calculator) is the public-facing tool that uses this index. You enter your property details and current rent, and the calculator compares your rent against the benchmark for similar properties in your area. It then shows whether an increase is permitted and the maximum percentage allowed.

The tool is designed for tenants, landlords and investors dealing with residential, commercial, industrial and staff accommodation properties across Dubai.

How the RERA Rental Index Works

The calculator is grounded in Decree No. 43 of 2013, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This decree established fixed caps on rental increases based on how far below the market benchmark your current rent falls.

In simple terms, the calculator takes your current annual rent and compares it to the average rent for a similar property in the same area. Depending on the gap, it applies one of five increase brackets (covered below). If your rent is already close to the market average, no increase is allowed.

Since January 2025, DLD has upgraded the traditional rental index into the Smart Rental Index, which uses real-time data and AI-driven analytics rather than relying solely on annual updates. This means the benchmarks you see in the calculator are now more accurate and reflective of current market conditions.

RERA Rent Increase Caps — The Percentage Brackets

Under Decree No. 43 of 2013, the maximum permitted rent increase depends on how much lower your current rent is compared to the market benchmark. Here are the caps:

Your Rent vs. Benchmark	Maximum Increase Allowed
Up to 10% below benchmark	0% — No increase
11–20% below benchmark	5%
21–30% below benchmark	10%
31–40% below benchmark	15%
More than 40% below benchmark	20% — Maximum cap

Example: You pay AED 70,000 per year for a 2-bedroom apartment in JLT. The calculator shows the benchmark for similar units is AED 95,000. Your rent is roughly 26% below benchmark, which falls in the 21–30% bracket. Your landlord can legally increase your rent by a maximum of 10%, bringing it to AED 77,000.

How to Use the RERA Index Calculator (Step by Step)

What You Need Before You Start

Gather the following before opening the calculator:

• Property category (residential, commercial, industrial or staff accommodation)
• Property type (apartment or villa)
• Number of bedrooms
• Community or area name
• Contract end date
• Current annual rent (AED)
• Ejari contract number or DEWA premise number (optional, for faster lookup)

Using the DLD Website

1. Visit the Dubai Land Department website and navigate to e-Services, then select Rental Index.
2. Choose your search method: by area, Ejari contract number, title deed number or DEWA premise number.
3. Select your property category, type, number of bedrooms and community.
4. Enter your contract end date and current annual rent in AED.
5. Click Calculate. The results will show the benchmark rental range and whether an increase is permitted.

Using the Dubai REST App

The Dubai REST app (available on iOS and Android) includes the same rental index calculator. Open the app, navigate to the Rental Index tool under Services, and follow the same steps as the website. The results pull from the same official data set.

Using the DubaiNow App

DubaiNow is the unified government services app that also provides access to the DLD rental calculator. It is convenient for quick checks on the go and connects to the same benchmark data.

Reading Your Results

After you click Calculate, the screen will display the average rental range for comparable properties in your area and whether a rent increase is allowed. If an increase is permitted, it will show the maximum percentage and the corresponding AED amount. Save a screenshot or print the result — this serves as documentation during renewal negotiations.

Smart Rental Index 2025 — What Changed?

In January 2025, DLD launched the Smart Rental Index to replace the traditional annual rental index. This was a significant upgrade that affects how the RERA index calculator generates its benchmarks.

Key changes include:

• Real-time data updates instead of once-a-year recalibrations, meaning benchmarks reflect current market conditions more accurately.
• AI-driven analytics that pull from transaction records, listing data and building-level assessments.
• A new building classification system that rates properties from 1 to 5 stars based on 60 criteria, including location, amenities, parking and building condition.
• Coverage across residential, commercial and industrial property types with benchmarks tailored to each category.

For tenants, this means the calculator now provides a more granular and accurate picture of fair market rent. For landlords, it offers stronger justification for rental adjustments that fall within the legal caps.

Key Rules Every Tenant and Landlord Must Know

The RERA rental framework is not just about the calculator. There are important legal rules that apply to every rental contract in Dubai:

• 90-day written notice: A landlord must notify the tenant about any rent increase at least 90 days before the contract renewal date. If no notice is served, the tenant can reject the increase entirely.
• Increases at renewal only: Rent can only be changed at the time of contract renewal. A landlord cannot raise rent during an active lease period.
• Calculator caps are binding: Landlords cannot increase rent beyond what the RERA calculator permits. Any increase above the cap is not legally enforceable.
• One increase per year: Rental prices can only be adjusted once annually, aligned with the contract renewal cycle.

What the RERA Calculator Does Not Consider

While the calculator is an essential tool, it has limitations. The benchmark is based on area averages and property type, but it does not factor in:

• Whether the property is furnished or unfurnished
• The condition or age of the unit (newly renovated vs. dated)
• Floor level, view or position within the building
• Additional amenities such as gym, pool, concierge or smart home features
• Parking availability or storage space

These factors can and should still play a role in your negotiation, even if the calculator does not account for them directly.

How to Negotiate Your Rent Using the Calculator

Tips for Tenants

• Run the calculator early. Check 100–120 days before your renewal date. This gives you time to plan if an increase is indicated.
• Compare listings in your area. Gather comparable rental prices from property portals to support your position.
• Highlight building issues. If the building is poorly maintained, lacks amenities or has known issues, use this to justify keeping rent stable.
• Keep everything in writing. Save the calculator screenshot and attach it to all renewal correspondence.

Tips for Landlords

• Use the calculator to justify your increase. Sharing the result with your tenant builds trust and reduces the chance of a dispute.
• Consider tenant retention. A reliable, long-term tenant has value. The maximum increase is not always the optimal increase if it risks vacancy.
• Serve notice on time. Remember the 90-day rule. Late notice means the tenant can legally reject the increase.

How to Dispute a Rent Increase

If your landlord proposes a rent increase that exceeds what the RERA calculator allows, you have the right to challenge it. Here is how:

6. Run the calculator and save the result as evidence.
7. Respond to your landlord in writing, sharing the calculator screenshot and stating the legal cap.
8. If the landlord insists on an increase above the cap, file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (part of DLD).
9. Bring copies of your calculator result, the landlord’s notice, your Ejari contract and all written correspondence.

The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre uses the RERA calculator results as a key reference when resolving disputes.

Practical Examples

Example 1 — Tenant Paying Below Benchmark

Fatima rents a 2-bedroom apartment in JLT for AED 95,000 per year. The RERA calculator shows the benchmark for similar properties is AED 100,000–112,000. Her rent is approximately 5–15% below benchmark. Since part of the range falls within the 11–20% bracket, her landlord could potentially increase her rent by up to 5%, bringing it to AED 99,750.

Example 2 — Tenant at Market Rate (No Increase)

Ahmed pays AED 85,000 for a 1-bedroom in Downtown Dubai. The calculator shows the average for his property type and area is AED 88,000. His rent is only about 3% below benchmark, which falls within the 0–10% bracket. No increase is permitted at renewal.

Example 3 — Landlord Setting a New Lease

While the RERA caps primarily govern renewal contracts, the Smart Rental Index is equally useful when setting an initial rent for a new lease. A landlord listing a 1-bedroom in Business Bay can use the calculator to see the benchmark range, then price competitively within that range to attract tenants while ensuring the rent aligns with market data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the RERA calculator legally binding?

Yes. The calculator reflects the official rental index used to determine whether a rent increase is allowed and the maximum cap. The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre relies on these results when resolving disputes.

Can I use it for commercial properties?

Yes. The calculator covers residential, commercial, industrial and staff accommodation properties across Dubai.

Does it apply to new leases or only renewals?

The rent increase caps under Decree No. 43 primarily apply to contract renewals. However, the Smart Rental Index is also a useful benchmark for setting initial rents on new leases.

Can a landlord raise rent mid-contract?

No. Rent changes can only take effect at the time of contract renewal and require 90 days’ written notice.

Where can I access the calculator?

You can use it on the DLD website (dubailand.gov.ae), the Dubai REST app or the DubaiNow app. All three connect to the same official data.

What is indexed rent?

Indexed rent refers to a predetermined annual increase agreed upon during the initial lease negotiation. It is written into the contract and does not require further discussion at renewal. This is different from a RERA-based increase, which is calculated at the time of renewal using current market data.

What if my building is not listed in the calculator?

Newer buildings or recently completed developments may take time to appear in the index. In such cases, try selecting the wider area or a neighbouring community for a reference point, and note this during your negotiation.