Key takeaways
- The ADREC Interactive Map is Abu Dhabi's official rent index. It covers Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafrah, and is built from real rental contracts.
- Anyone can use it for free. Just pick a municipality, zone and property type to see the average rent.
- Since 2 June 2026, Abu Dhabi has frozen rent increases at 0% for homes, shops and other properties. Rent must stay the same as the last registered contract.
- Once the freeze ends, landlords can raise rent by up to 5% a year, under Resolution No. 14 of 2016.
- The index is a helpful guide, but real rent can still vary depending on a property's age, condition and extras.
What the Abu Dhabi rent index actually shows
Just like the Smart Rental Index in Dubai, ADREC's Interactive Map gives a clear guide to fair rent prices. It's based on real contracts, not the prices landlords list online. The tool covers Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafrah, using verified Tawtheeq rental agreements. So the numbers show what people are really paying, not just what's being asked.
Results are sorted by property type, covering everything from studios to 1–5 bedroom apartments and villas. Sometimes you'll see a low, middle and high range. Other times, you'll see a price per square metre instead. Either way, the numbers always come from a real, signed rental contract.
If you're new to renting in Abu Dhabi, the index gives you a fast sense of fair pricing. It's much quicker than scrolling through property listings.
How to check the rent index on ADREC's interactive map
Checking the rent index only takes three simple steps.
Open the interactive map
Start by visiting adrec.gov.ae, then scroll down to the Property Index or Market Data section. You can also open the Interactive Map straight from the homepage menu.
Select your zone and property type
First, choose your municipality: Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain or Al Dhafrah. Then pick a more specific zone, like Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island or Khalifa City. Some zones are split into smaller sectors, too. Finally, choose your property type and click 'View Details'.
Read the average rent
The map will show you the average yearly rent for that zone and property type, sometimes as a range. Think of it as a helpful guide for budgeting or negotiating, rather than an exact valuation. A newly renovated flat on a high floor will usually rent for more than the average. An older unit further from shops and amenities will usually rent for less.
How to use the rent index when negotiating a renewal
Landlords can raise rent by up to 5% a year, as per the rent increase law in Abu Dhabi. This rule comes from Executive Council Resolution No. 14 of 2016, and it's a flat rate for everyone. Dubai works differently, since its allowed increase depends on how far your rent sits below the index. So if your rent is AED 80,000 a year, the most it could normally go up by is AED 4,000.
Right now, though, that 5% rule is on pause. Since 2 June 2026, Abu Dhabi has frozen rent increases completely, setting the cap at 0%.
If your contract is renewed before that date, your rent stays under your old agreed terms. If you're renewing now, your rent should stay the same as before. The figure to check is what's written on your last registered Tawtheeq contract.
As per the rental laws in Abu Dhabi, if a renewal notice asks for more than 5%, ask your landlord for a copy of the Tawtheeq record. From there, you can raise the issue with ADREC directly, before you sign anything.
Other ADREC tools worth knowing about
ADREC's Market Data page has a few other useful tools too, alongside the Interactive Map. ADREC Dashboards show colourful charts and graphs, tracking how prices change from year to year. You can filter these by area, property type or time period. For people who want to dig even deeper, Quanta Advanced Reports offer more detailed analysis.
Twice a year, ADREC also publishes Market Reports as downloadable PDFs. These cover bigger trends, like transaction numbers, mortgages and forecasts for the whole of Abu Dhabi. All of these tools are free to use, with open access for anyone who wants to browse them.
FAQs
What is the rent index in Abu Dhabi?
It's ADREC's official guide to average rent prices, based on zone and property type. The numbers come from real, registered Tawtheeq rental contracts, not online listings. It covers Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafrah, and you can check it through the Interactive Map.
Is ADREC's rent index free to use?
Yes, it's completely free and open to everyone. The Interactive Map, Dashboards and downloadable Market Reports don't cost anything to use. You can start browsing in just a few clicks.
How much can a landlord increase rent in Abu Dhabi right now?
Right now, the cap is set at 0% because of a freeze that started on 2 June 2026. This means rent must stay the same as your last registered Tawtheeq contract. Once the freeze ends, the usual rate is up to 5% a year, under Resolution No. 14 of 2016.
It's worth bookmarking the Interactive Map and checking it again at every renewal. The freeze is temporary, so the index will matter again once landlords are allowed to raise rent. It's also smart to keep a copy of your Tawtheeq contract somewhere safe. That one document can settle most conversations about a fair rent.
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