Key takeaways
- Agents typically charge 4–5% of the annual rent when they arrange a new tenancy contract.
- Tenants owe a rent renewal agent fee only if the tenancy contract or a separate written agreement with the agent says so.
- Market renewal fees in Dubai often run from AED 1,000 to AED 5,000, but no law sets these amounts.
- Dubai charges AED 100 plus AED 10 to renew online, and Abu Dhabi charges AED 50 through TAMM.
- Tenants can refuse an unagreed fee in writing and escalate to RERA or the Rental Disputes Centre.
Do you have to pay a rent renewal agent fee in the UAE?
No, not unless your contract or a written agreement with the agent says so. Agents earn their commission when they find a tenant and help sign a new tenancy contract. A renewal with the same landlord is a different job.
What UAE law says about agent commission
Agents usually charge 4–5% of the annual rent for a new tenancy. The agency fee for renting in Dubai is a one-time charge for that first deal, under Dubai rental law. Nothing in that law makes a second fee automatic at renewal.
When an agent can charge a renewal fee
An agent can charge only if the fee is agreed in writing. That can sit in your original contract or in a separate agreement with whoever pays. A clause that only mentions a fee doesn't force you to use that agent.
Why market renewal fees aren't official
Some agents ask for flat fees of AED 1,000–5,000 at renewal. Others ask for a percentage of the rent. No government body sets these amounts, and older RERA guidance treated a full commission on a simple renewal as improper.
Can you renew your lease without an agent?
Yes. Landlords and tenants can agree terms and register the renewal themselves, online or at a trustee centre. Tenants who rent directly from the landlord already skip the agent at every stage.
Steps to renew directly with your landlord
- Check your contract for any clause on agent, admin or renewal fees.
- Agree on the new rent using the Smart Rental Index as a fair guide.
- Sign the renewed tenancy contract.
- Register the renewal through the official app, portal or a trustee centre.
Landlords must also follow the Dubai rent increase law before they raise your rent.
What to do if an agent demands payment
Send a polite message saying your contract has no renewal fee clause, and keep a copy. If the agent withholds documents or makes threats, contact RERA. You can also file a rental dispute in Dubai with the Rental Disputes Centre.
How to renew your lease in each emirate
The steps differ by emirate. Each one has an official route that costs far less than an agent's fee.
Renewing a lease in Dubai
Online through Ejari or the Dubai REST app
Prepare a copy of the unified tenancy contract, plus your Emirates ID or a power of attorney if needed. Online renewal through Ejari costs AED 100 plus AED 10 in knowledge and innovation fees, and approval is immediate.
At a trustee centre
Trustee centres charge AED 120 plus AED 95 plus VAT in service partner fees. The visit takes about seven minutes, not counting the queue.
Renewing a lease in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi renewals run through the TAMM platform. Log in with UAE PASS and upload your passport, municipality permits and any supporting documents. The fee is AED 50, and the contract arrives within one working day.
Owners must be registered in Tawtheeq first, and long-term leases carry extra fees.
Renewing a lease in Sharjah
Sharjah handles renewals through the Sharjah Municipality e-system. Fill in the fields, upload your contract and payment receipts, then pay by Tahseel card or credit card.
Only licensed real estate offices with proper trade licences can manage renewals here.
Renewing a lease in Ajman
Ajman handles renewals through the Ajman Municipality website. You submit the request, pay online and get approval within one business day.
Ajman renewal fees
- Residential: 2% of the lease value, with a minimum of AED 400 for non-nationals.
- Investment: 3% of the annual lease value, with a minimum of AED 1,000.
- Commercial: 5% of the annual lease value, with a minimum of AED 500.
Ajman documents
You need the authentication form, the tenant's passport and ID, and a no-objection certificate from Ajman Sewerage.
Which renewal costs you still pay
Ejari and Tawtheeq fees are usually payable, and often by the tenant unless the contract says otherwise. They are small next to an agent's fee, alongside the other additional costs of renting in Dubai.
Building service and maintenance charges apply only if your contract says so. Landlords generally cover common-area upkeep, so check who pays for maintenance when renting in Dubai before accepting one. Agent admin fees follow the same rule: no written deal, no fee.
How Keyper helps at renewal time
A renewed lease usually means new cheques for the full year. Keyper's Rent Now, Pay Monthly service pays your landlord the annual rent upfront. You repay Keyper monthly instead of finding one lump sum.
Landlords who dislike chasing renewals can hand them to a licensed manager instead. Keyper's property management services come from a RERA-aware team that handles renewals, Ejari and rent collection. Its property management software keeps lease dates and rent records in one place. It's a trustworthy option for landlords who want renewals handled without the chasing.
FAQs
Can a real estate agent charge for renewing a tenancy contract in Dubai?
Only if the fee is agreed in writing. Without a clause in your contract or a separate agreement, the agent has no legal claim to a renewal fee.
How much is the rent renewal fee in Dubai?
The official Ejari renewal costs AED 100 plus AED 10 online. Any agent fee is a private deal, and market rates run from AED 1,000 to AED 5,000.
Can I renew my tenancy contract without a real estate agent in the UAE?
Yes. Dubai tenants can renew through Ejari or the Dubai REST app, and Abu Dhabi tenants can use TAMM. Sharjah requires a licensed office to file the paperwork.
Before you pay any renewal fee, ask the agent to show you the clause that says you owe it. That one question ends most requests. If you're a landlord tired of chasing renewals and rent, Keyper's team can take that work off your plate.
