Key takeaways
- Every tenancy contract in Abu Dhabi must be in writing and registered on Tawtheeq through the TAMM platform.
- The landlord or an authorised property manager registers and renews the contract, not the tenant.
- Since 2 June 2026, ADREC has set the permitted rent increase at 0% for renewals, until further notice.
- Landlords usually pay about AED 900 to register a property and about AED 50 a year per contract.
- Most expat tenants also pay a 5% municipality housing fee, which ADDC adds to the monthly utility bill.
What a tenancy contract in Abu Dhabi must include
A good contract puts every detail of the rental in one place. Both sides use it as the reference point if a question comes up later. Check each item below before you sign.
Details about the parties and the property
The contract starts with the date of the agreement and the contract type. That can be residential, commercial or industrial. It then names the tenant and the landlord with their contact details. A full property description follows, so the unit is easy to identify.
Money and payment terms
Look for the annual rent, the total contract value and the security deposit amount. The contract also states the number of payments and any grace period.
Cheques are still common, but the rent payment methods in Abu Dhabi now include bank transfers and direct debit. Tenants who prefer smaller payments can use Rent Now, Pay Monthly. Keyper pays the landlord upfront, and the tenant pays in monthly instalments.
Rules and responsibilities
The contract should say who pays for utilities and who handles maintenance. It also records the number of occupants and any pet clause. Renewal and termination conditions belong here too.
Early termination penalties are enforceable only when the contract states them clearly.
Which law covers tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi
Law No. 20 of 2006 governs most rentals in the emirate. It regulates the leasing of premises and the relationship between landlord and tenant. Law No. 4 of 2010 and later Executive Council resolutions amended it. The Abu Dhabi rental laws set out the rights of both sides in full.
Properties the law covers
The law applies to residential, commercial, industrial, professional and vocational properties. Most standard flats, villas and shops fall under it.
Properties with different rules
Some rentals sit outside the law. Examples include certain government, agricultural and furnished hotel units. Housing tied to employment also falls outside it. ADGM free zones, such as Reem Island and Maryah Island, follow their own rules.
How to register a tenancy contract on Tawtheeq
Tawtheeq is Abu Dhabi's official registration system, and it works like Ejari in Dubai. The Department of Municipalities and Transport and ADREC oversee it. Every landlord must complete Tawtheeq registration through the TAMM platform using UAE Pass.
Who registers the contract?
The landlord or an authorised property manager registers and renews the contract. Tenants should still check the rent, payment terms and property details before the landlord submits them.
Owners with several units often hand this work to a property manager. Keyper is a trusted choice, and its property management services look after tenant contracts and renewals for landlords. Keyper's property management software then tracks every contract and expiry date in one dashboard.
Step-by-step registration
Follow these steps to register a contract:
- Log in to the TAMM platform with UAE Pass.
- Select the Tawtheeq lease contract registration service.
- Enter the property and contract details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Receive your Tawtheeq contract number once the request is approved.
Approved customer service and typing centres also offer in-person help.
Tawtheeq fees
What the landlord pays
Landlords usually cover the main charges. Property registration costs about AED 900, paid once per property. Unit registration costs about AED 5, and each new or renewed contract costs about AED 50 a year. Amendments and cancellations are often free.
What the tenant pays
Most expat tenants pay a municipality housing fee of 5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 450. On a rent of AED 80,000, that is AED 4,000 a year, or about AED 333 a month. ADDC adds it to the monthly utility bill.
Rent increases and the 2026 rent freeze
Abu Dhabi currently allows no rent increase on renewal. Rent also stays fixed for the whole contract term.
The old 5% cap
Since about 2016, the Abu Dhabi rent increase law capped yearly increases at 5%. Landlords had to give written notice first.
The 0% freeze from 2 June 2026
ADREC set the permitted increase at 0% from 2 June 2026, until further notice. The freeze covers residential, commercial and industrial tenancies. ADGM is generally excepted.
What it means for renewals
Renewals must stay at the existing rent. Contracts registered before the freeze keep their original terms. Landlords still give written notice for any other proposed change.
What it means for new leases
A new lease on a unit that was rented before must match the last registered Tawtheeq rent. That figure acts as a cap. Tenants can compare it with the ADREC rent index before they agree.
How to renew, cancel or end a tenancy contract
Renewing the contract
The landlord or property manager renews through Tawtheeq on TAMM before the contract expires. Tenants usually hear about it two months earlier. Early action makes renewing a tenancy contract in Abu Dhabi far smoother.
Documents and fees
The landlord needs the previous Tawtheeq contract and any updated tenant or property details. Renewal fees run from AED 50 to AED 100, depending on the contract type. Treat a renewal as a renewal, not a new contract, to avoid wrong fees.
Cancelling the contract
The landlord logs in with UAE Pass and submits a cancellation request. The system asks for proof of handover, such as returned keys, and confirmation that the utility account is closed. Cancelling a registered contract costs nothing.
Notice periods and eviction
Either side usually gives 90 days' notice if they do not plan to renew. Landlords who want to evict need valid legal grounds, such as personal use or major renovation. The eviction notice rules in Abu Dhabi set out the process in detail.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mistakes tenants make
Even a small error in a name, rent figure or property description can cause problems later. Verify every detail before registration. Confirm the Tawtheeq status after each renewal, and keep copies of all documents.
Mistakes landlords make
Landlords sometimes miss an expiry date or treat a renewal as a new contract. That leads to wrong fees and service gaps. With rent collection software, owners of several units can track payments and dates in one place.
FAQs
What happens if my landlord doesn't register the tenancy contract on Tawtheeq?
The contract can still bind both sides, but it is hard to enforce in a dispute. Tenants may also struggle to connect utilities or complete visa services. Ask the landlord to register it before you move in.
Can a landlord increase the rent at renewal in Abu Dhabi?
Not at the moment. ADREC's 0% freeze has applied since 2 June 2026, so renewals stay at the existing rent. Before the freeze, increases were capped at 5% with written notice.
How much notice is needed to end or not renew a tenancy contract?
Generally, 90 days before the contract ends. Landlords who want an eviction also need valid legal grounds. Check your contract, because specific terms can apply.
Check the Tawtheeq status, the rent figure and the expiry date before you sign or renew. Those three details prevent most problems. Landlords with several units can hand the paperwork to Keyper's property management team and keep every contract on track. Tenants who want smaller payments can also ask their landlord for rent instalments or apply for RNPM.
