Moving to Dubai? You've signed the lease, packed your bags—then someone mentions "Ejari," and you realize you're not done yet.
Ejari isn't an optional bureaucracy. It's your legal foundation for Dubai living. Without this government-registered certificate, you cannot turn on electricity, sponsor family visas, or claim tenant rights. In 2026, the process is fully digitized through the Dubai REST App, making registration faster than ever—if you know the steps.
Here's everything you need to master Ejari registration in 2026.
Ejari translates to "My Rent" in Arabic.
Launched by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), Ejari is Dubai's official tenancy registration system. Unlike informal landlord agreements, an Ejari certificate provides government-attested proof of your rental contract—the digital equivalent of a notarized lease.
Think of it as your "rental passport." Without it, Dubai's interconnected government services remain inaccessible.
Ejari unlocks four critical services:
1. DEWA Connection
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will not activate utilities without a valid Ejari number. No registration = no lights, AC, or water.
2. Visa Sponsorship
Cannot issue or renew residence visas for spouses, children, or domestic staff without registered tenancy proof.
3. Legal Protection The Rent Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) only accepts cases where contracts are properly registered. Informal agreements have zero legal standing.
4. Commercial Licensing
Businesses cannot obtain or renew trade licenses without commercial Ejari registration.
Bottom line: Ejari transforms your signed contract from a private agreement into a legally enforceable government record.
Cost depends on registration method:
Total: Approximately AED 177.75 (inclusive of VAT)
Physical Real Estate Trustee Centres charge service premiums:
Total: AED 220-235 (inclusive of VAT and agent fees)
2026 Update: The government actively encourages digital registration through lower pricing. Most residents now complete the process via smartphone in under 15 minutes.
Missing documents cause 90% of registration delays. Prepare digital copies (PDF/JPEG) before starting:
All above documents, plus:
Pro tip: Photograph the DEWA premise number during property viewing—it's required for registration but often overlooked.
Step 1: Download & Verify
Install Dubai REST App (iOS/Android). Log in using UAE Pass for automatic identity verification.
Step 2: Navigate to RERA Services
Tap Services → RERA → "Register Ejari Contract"
Step 3: Enter Property Details
Input property information: plot number, Makani number, DEWA premise number, contract dates, annual rent, and landlord details.
Step 4: Upload Documents
Attach clear scans of tenancy contract, title deed, and ID documents.
Step 5: Landlord Digital Approval
CRITICAL 2026 UPDATE: The system sends an approval request to your landlord's Dubai REST App. They must digitally approve before processing.
Action item: Call your landlord immediately after submission to ensure quick approval.
Step 6: Pay & Receive Certificate
Once approved, pay AED 177.75 via in-app card payment. Your Ejari certificate generates instantly and arrives via email + app storage.
Total time: 10-15 minutes (excluding landlord approval wait)
Ejari expires with your tenancy contract. You must renew annually when signing new lease agreements.
Renewal process:
Critical: Never skip renewal. If disputes arise in Year 2 but you only registered Year 1, the Rent Dispute Centre may dismiss your case.
Most overlooked step: You cannot register new Ejari on a property until the previous registration is cancelled.
Technically the landlord's responsibility, but tenants often must initiate to clear their records.
Required documents:
Failure to cancel blocks future registrations for both tenant and landlord on that specific property.
1. Waiting too long to register
Register within the first week of moving in. Delays prevent DEWA activation and visa processing.
2. Assuming the landlord will handle it
While some landlords assist, tenants are responsible for ensuring completion.
3. Not keeping digital copies
Store your Ejari certificate permanently. You'll need it for visa renewals, DEWA bills, and potential disputes.
4. Forgetting annual renewal
Set calendar reminders 2 weeks before contract renewal dates.
For Mayfair Nexus investors and Dubailand property owners, understanding Ejari is crucial for tenant relationships. Properties with smooth Ejari processes attract quality tenants and reduce turnover.
Landlord advantages:
Investor tip: Include Ejari registration assistance as a value-add service when marketing rental properties. Tenants appreciate landlords who facilitate the process.
Ejari transformed from bureaucratic hurdle to digital convenience in 2026. The Dubai REST App makes registration instant, affordable, and accessible from your smartphone.
Action checklist:
1. Download Dubai REST App today
2. Verify UAE Pass login
3. Gather required documents
4. Register within first week of tenancy
5. Set annual renewal reminders
Whether renting a studio in JVC or a luxury apartment in Mayfair Nexus, proper Ejari registration is your foundation for legal, comfortable Dubai living.
A: Ejari (Arabic: "My Rent") is Dubai's mandatory electronic tenancy registration system managed by RERA. It's legally required to activate DEWA utilities, sponsor family residence visas, access Rent Dispute Centre legal protection, and obtain commercial trade licenses. Without registered Ejari, tenants cannot legally occupy properties or access government services. As of 2026, registration costs AED 177.75 online via Dubai REST App and generates instant digital certificates. It transforms informal rental agreements into government-attested legal contracts.
A: Online Ejari registration via Dubai REST App costs approximately AED 177.75 total (including AED 100 base fee, AED 10 knowledge fee, AED 10 innovation fee, and AED 50-60 platform service fees, plus VAT). Offline registration at physical Real Estate Trustee Centres costs AED 220-235 due to agent service premiums. The Dubai government encourages digital registration through lower pricing. Renewal fees match registration costs at AED 177.75 annually.
A: Download Dubai REST App (iOS/Android) and login via UAE Pass. Navigate to Services → RERA → "Register Ejari Contract". Enter property details (DEWA premise number, contract dates, rent amount). Upload tenancy contract, title deed, and ID documents. The system sends digital approval requests to your landlord's app—they must approve before processing. Once approved, pay AED 177.75 via in-app card payment. Your Ejari certificate generates instantly via email and app storage. Total time: 10-15 minutes.
A: Required documents: (1) Original signed tenancy contract (Unified format), (2) Tenant's Emirates ID, (3) Tenant's passport and visa copy, (4) Landlord's passport or Emirates ID, (5) Property title deed copy, (6) DEWA premise number (9-digit number on door frame). For commercial tenants, add valid trade license and company manager's Emirates ID. Prepare digital copies (PDF/JPEG) before starting registration. Missing documents cause 90% of application delays.
A: By Dubai convention, tenants pay Ejari registration fees (approximately AED 177.75 online). However, commercial lease agreements sometimes negotiate this cost-sharing. The tenant is legally responsible for ensuring registration occurs, as they need the Ejari certificate for DEWA activation and visa sponsorship. Some landlords assist with the process as a service, but financial responsibility typically falls to the tenant unless contract specifies otherwise.
A: Online registration via Dubai REST App takes 10-15 minutes once the landlord approves the digital request. The actual app process (document upload, data entry, payment) requires only 5-10 minutes. Delay typically comes from waiting for landlord approval notification. Once approved and paid, the Ejari certificate generates instantly. Offline registration at physical centres takes 15-20 minutes at the counter. Encourage landlords to approve requests immediately to avoid delays.
A: Yes, Ejari must be renewed annually when renewing your tenancy contract. Use Dubai REST App → "Renew Ejari Contract" option. Upload new signed contract and recent DEWA bill (proof of continued occupancy). Pay renewal fee of AED 177.75—same as initial registration. Failure to renew blocks visa renewals and eliminates legal protection. If disputes arise but Ejari isn't current, the Rent Dispute Settlement Centre may dismiss cases. Set calendar reminders before contract renewal dates.
A: No, DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) will not activate utilities without a valid Ejari registration number. The Ejari number is mandatory input during DEWA account setup. This applies to both new connections and transferring accounts. Register Ejari within your first week of tenancy to avoid delays in electricity, water, and AC activation. No exceptions exist for this requirement.
A: Without Ejari registration, you face severe limitations: (1) Cannot activate DEWA utilities (no electricity, water, AC), (2) Cannot sponsor or renew family residence visas, (3) Zero legal standing in Rent Dispute Settlement Centre—informal agreements unenforceable, (4) Cannot obtain or renew business trade licenses for commercial properties. Additionally, landlords may face RERA penalties for unregistered units. Ejari isn't optional—it's the legal foundation for Dubai tenancy. Non-compliance blocks access to all interconnected government services.
A: Ejari cancellation requires landlord cooperation. Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or cancellation letter from your landlord. Use Dubai REST App → "Cancel Ejari Contract" or visit the Real Estate Trustee Centre. Provide NOC and final DEWA bill showing zero balance (proof all dues cleared). Online cancellation is often free if the contract expires naturally; offline centres charge approximately AED 40 + VAT. Cancelling clears your record and allows the next tenant to register on that property.
