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What Is the RERA Rental Calculator?
RERA Calculator is an essential tool regulated by Dubai's Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency. It compares your current rent against the official rental price index for your area and property type, then calculates whether a rent increase is legally permitted.
Here's what this calculator delivers:
- Instant verification of whether your landlord can legally increase rent at renewal
- Precise percentage caps based on how your current rent compares to market averages
- Compliance with Decree 43/2013 rent control regulations
- Smart Rental Index integration reflecting the 2025 AI-powered market data
Thousands of tenants and landlords across Dubai Marina, JLT, Business Bay, and Downtown Dubai rely on the RERA rental index to ensure fair, transparent lease negotiations. Our calculator mirrors the official DLD methodology, so you get trustworthy results without visiting government offices. For additional property-related calculations, explore Online Calculator UAE.
RERA CALCULATOR WIDGET - Dubai Rental Index Calculator 2025 Compatible with WordPress Elementor HTML Widget Copy this entire code block and paste into an Elementor HTML widget
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Landlords must provide written notice at least 90 days before contract expiry to request any rent increase. Without proper notice, you can legally renew at your current rent. This calculator provides estimates based on Decree No. 43/2013 guidelines. For official verification, please use the Dubai Land Department's Rental Index service at dubailand.gov.ae or the Dubai REST app. Consult the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre for legal disputes.
How the RERA Rental Index Calculator Works
The calculation process follows the legally mandated formula established by Decree No. 43 of 2013. Here's the step-by-step methodology our calculator uses:
Step 1: Determine the Benchmark Rent
The calculator retrieves the average market rent for properties matching your specifications—property type (apartment, villa, office), number of bedrooms, and community location. This benchmark comes from the official , which uses AI and real-time transaction data from Ejari-registered contracts.
Step 2: Calculate the Percentage Difference
Your current annual rent is compared against the benchmark average using this formula:
Percentage Below Market = ((Benchmark Rent - Current Rent) ÷ Benchmark Rent) × 100
Step 3: Apply the Legal Rent Cap
Based on the percentage difference, Decree 43 prescribes specific maximum increases:
| Current Rent vs. Market Average |
|---|
| 0% (No increase allowed) |
Important Notes
These caps represent the a landlord can request—they're not automatic increases. Additionally, landlords must provide written notice before the contract expiry date. Without proper notice, tenants can legally renew at the existing rent. Learn more about Ejari registration requirements for your tenancy contract.
Practical Examples: RERA Calculator in Action
Understanding abstract percentages becomes easier with real scenarios. Here are three common situations tenants and landlords encounter in Dubai.
Example 1: Two-Bedroom Apartment in JLT
Scenario: Ahmed rents a 2-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Lake Towers, paying AED 75,000 per year. His lease expires in April 2025, and the landlord has proposed increasing rent to AED 90,000.
Calculation:
- Benchmark rent for 2BR in JLT: AED 95,000
- Percentage below market: (95,000 - 75,000) ÷ 95,000 =
- Applicable cap (21-30% bracket):
- Maximum legal increase: AED 75,000 × 10% = AED 7,500
- Maximum new rent: AED 82,500
Result: The landlord's proposal of AED 90,000 exceeds the legal limit. Ahmed can negotiate using the RERA calculator result, showing the maximum allowable rent is AED 82,500.
Example 2: Studio Apartment in Dubai Marina
Scenario: Sara pays AED 58,000 annually for her studio in Dubai Marina. The Smart Rental Index shows similar units averaging AED 62,000.
Calculation:
- Benchmark rent for studio in Marina: AED 62,000
- Percentage below market: (62,000 - 58,000) ÷ 62,000 = 6.5%
- Applicable cap (0-10% bracket): 0%
Result: Sara's rent is within 10% of the market average, so no increase is permitted. If her landlord insists on raising the rent, Sara can refuse and file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre.
Example 3: Villa in Arabian Ranches
Scenario: Mohammed has rented a 4-bedroom villa for five years at AED 140,000. Due to market changes, the benchmark for similar villas now stands at AED 240,000.
Calculation:
- Benchmark rent for 4BR villa: AED 240,000
- Percentage below market: (240,000 - 140,000) ÷ 240,000 = 41.7%
- Applicable cap (above 40% bracket):
- Maximum legal increase: AED 140,000 × 20% = AED 28,000
- Maximum new rent: AED 168,000
Result: Even though Mohammed's rent is significantly below market, the landlord can only increase by 20% this year. It may take several renewal cycles to reach market rates. For long-term investment analysis, use our property return calculator.
The 90-Day Notice Requirement
Under Law No. 26 of 2007 (amended by Law No. 33 of 2008), landlords must deliver before the tenancy contract expires to change any terms, including rent. Verbal notice doesn't count. If your landlord misses this deadline, you're entitled to renew at your current rent.
Smart Rental Index: The 2025 Update
Starting January 1, 2025, the DLD replaced the annual RERA index update with the . Key changes include real-time data updates powered by AI, building quality classifications (considering amenities, maintenance, and parking), and more frequent benchmark adjustments. The percentage caps from Decree 43 remain unchanged—only the benchmark calculation methodology improved.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not verifying the calculation: Always cross-check your landlord's proposed increase against the official calculator
- Accepting verbal agreements: Document everything in writing and register changes through Ejari
- Missing the dispute window: If you believe the increase is unlawful, file with the promptly
- Confusing new leases with renewals: The RERA caps only apply to lease renewals, not new tenancy agreements
Expert Tips for Tenants
Run the RERA calculator 100-120 days before your lease expires. This gives you time to negotiate, compare alternatives, or prepare to move if needed. Save a screenshot of the calculator result as evidence for any discussions with your landlord. If you're considering purchasing property instead, our rent versus purchase comparison tool can help you decide.
Start Your Calculation Now
Don't leave your rental negotiations to guesswork. Use our free RERA Calculator above to verify whether your landlord's proposed increase complies with Dubai's rental laws. For official verification, you can also access the DLD Rental Index portal or download the Dubai REST app.
This calculator is provided for informational purposes. For legal disputes or complex situations, consult with a qualified real estate professional or the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre directly.