RERA Rental Index
The RERA Rental Index (officially the Rental Index Calculator) is Dubai's official database of permitted rental price ranges, maintained by RERA and accessible via the Dubai REST app. Under Decree No. 43 of 2013, a landlord's rent increase at renewal is only legal if the new rent does not exceed the index value for that specific area and property type. Tenants use the index to verify whether a proposed increase is legally permissible.
People searching for “RERA rental index Dubai” (Dubai rental index, RERA rent calculator) are usually drafting a notice, checking a landlord claim, or preparing an RDSC bundle—use the sections below to connect the definition to your documents.
Why this term matters
Understanding “RERA Rental Index” helps you read notices, contracts, and RDSC correspondence accurately. Clear definitions reduce confusion when you compare your situation with official requirements or seek advice.
This term is most relevant to Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) rules. If you are preparing for the RDSC, connect the definition to your own documents: the words on the page must match what you can prove with Ejari, dates, and written communications.
People searching for “RERA rental index Dubai” are usually trying to (a) confirm a rule, (b) draft a letter, or (c) decide whether to file. Use the glossary definition alongside the technical section below—then cross-check the law reference with your contract and any notices you received.
Related ideas: Dubai rental index, RERA rent calculator, check legal rent Dubai, RERA index by area. These phrases often appear in landlord and agent emails; knowing how they fit together helps you respond without conceding points that conflict with Law No. 26 of 2007 or its amendments.
DubaiRentCase provides general guidance and document preparation tools; it does not provide legal advice. If your dispute is complex or high-value, consult a qualified UAE tenancy lawyer.
In Depth
The RERA Rental Index is updated periodically to reflect current market conditions. It provides a median market rent figure for each property category (studio, 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, villa, etc.) in each Dubai area. The permitted rent at renewal is determined by comparing the current rent against this median and applying the Decree 43 tiered caps.
To use the index, a tenant enters: the property location (area), the property type (apartment, villa, townhouse), the number of bedrooms, and sometimes the floor level or specific sub-community. The tool returns the applicable rental range and, if combined with the current rent, shows the maximum permissible increase.
A landlord who proposes a rent increase that would take the annual rent above the RERA Index ceiling is in violation of Decree No. 43 of 2013. The tenant can reject the proposed new rent, and if the landlord insists, the tenant can file at the RDSC specifically for a ruling on the lawful rent — the RDSC will issue an order fixing the rent at the permitted amount.
The index is distinct from actual market listings on property portals like Bayut or Property Finder. The RERA Index is the legal benchmark; market portal prices are aspirational and may exceed it. A landlord cannot justify an above-index increase by pointing to competitor listings.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the RERA Rental Index updated?
The index is typically updated quarterly. RERA periodically revises the methodology. Always check the current index at the time of renewal rather than relying on figures from earlier periods.
My area doesn't appear in the RERA Index. What do I do?
All Dubai areas covered by Law No. 26 of 2007 should appear in the index. If your specific community is not listed, check under the broader area name. Contact RERA directly (800-4488) if you cannot locate your property.
Can the landlord counter the RERA Index with a private valuation?
No. The RERA Rental Index is the legally prescribed benchmark under Decree No. 43 of 2013. Private valuations from estate agents or independent surveyors are not the legal standard and will not be accepted at the RDSC as a basis for exceeding the index.
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