A long-term rental in the UAE runs on an annual contract registered with Ejari, the emirate's tenancy registration system, and is typically renewed each year. A short-term rental is let night by night or week by week under a holiday-home permit, closer to serviced accommodation than a standard tenancy. Both are listed side by side in this section, so check the contract type on a listing before assuming which one it is.

What to check when renting

For a long-term lease, ask whether the tenancy contract will be registered with Ejari, and confirm the security deposit, agency fee, and number of cheques expected upfront. For a short-term stay, confirm the host or building holds a valid holiday-home permit from the local tourism authority. Either way, it helps to check the area page for what's nearby and the developer page for who built and manages the building.

Where to look next

Developers and areas with rental listings on Republic, plus guides on ownership structure and costs worth understanding before you sign.

Developers

Al Habtoor Group Al Hamra Aldar Properties Arada

Areas

Al Furjan Al Reem Island Arjan Bluewaters

Guide: freehold vs leasehold, what's the difference Buyer costs guide, if you're comparing renting with buying Calculators