All about sharing accommodation rules in Dubai

• Dubai Shared Accommodation Law
• Co-habitation in Dubai
• Registering Co-habitants
• Shared Accommodation Facilities
• FAQs

Sharing an apartment in Dubai can help you save money, but there might be problems if you don’t follow the rules and regulations. There are strict rules for sharing accommodation in Dubai and it’s important to know and understand them to avoid legal repercussions. Here’s everything you need to know about sharing accommodation rules in Dubai.

SHARING ACCOMMODATION RULES IN DUBAI

Looking for properties for rent in Dubai UAE? You must know that sub-leasing or shared accommodation in Dubai is governed by Article 24 of Law No. 26 of 2007, which along with the RERA tenancy laws, forms part of the broader Real Estate Law in Dubai.

Sharing accommodation in Dubai is not permissible unless the landlord approves it. According to Article 24 of Law No. 26 of 2007, the tenant cannot sublease the property without the landlord’s permission unless it is specifically mentioned in their Dubai tenancy contract.

The law states:

“Unless otherwise agreed in the tenancy contract, the tenant shall not assign benefit or sublease premises without obtaining the landlord’s approval.”

Suppose any tenant sublets the property without obtaining permission from the landlord. In that case, he/she can be asked to evict the premises along with the sub-tenants, regardless of the expiry of their tenancy period.

Article 25 of Law No. 33 of 2008 corroborates the above statement. It states that:

“The landlord may demand the eviction of a tenant before the expiry of the tenancy period if the tenant subleases the property, or part thereof, without the landlord‘s written approval. In such a case, eviction shall apply to the tenant and the sub-tenant.”

RULES FOR APARTMENT SHARING IN DUBAI

Those interested in legally sharing bed space in Dubai must follow certain rules.

• The tenant cannot lease or sub-lease any of the premises without obtaining formal written approval from the landlord.
• The sub-tenant has rights on the leased premises until the original tenancy contract remains valid.
• Sub-lease contract shall determine the relationship between tenant and sub-tenant. Regardless of the state of their relationship, the tenant’s obligations towards the landlord will remain the same as previously agreed upon.

Please note that the number of the tenant(s) or sub-tenants who can live in an apartment largely depends on the area where the property is located. So, one cannot simply speculate about an area based on the statistics of another.

THE LAW ON CO-HABITATION IN DUBAI

One of the most commonly asked questions is, “can unmarried couples legally share accommodation in Dubai?”

The answer is, yes they can. It is no longer required to be married or related to share accommodation in Dubai legally.

With the introduction of new personal and family laws in the UAE, unmarried couples and people of opposite genders (not related by blood) can live together in the same house under the provisions of Dubai Rental Law on shared accommodation.

The new law applies to all accommodations, including hotel rooms, houses and apartments for rent in Dubai.

SHARED ACCOMMODATION RULES IN DUBAI

Tenants and landlords register the tenancy contract with Ejari, a regulatory system for monitoring rental contracts in Dubai for both freehold and non-freehold properties. It establishes a transparent relationship between the tenants and landlords and makes the tenancy contracts a legally binding part of the legal framework.

REGISTERING CO-HABITANTS ON EJARI VIA REST APP

Dubai Land Department (DLD) encourages registering co-occupants in Ejari. This rule applies to homeowners, renters, developers and property management companies.

The order came in light of changes to family law in the UAE. This change has meant an increase in subletting. Hence, by registering the number of co-habitants on Ejari, the government wants to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected.

Follow these steps for registration via REST app.

• Open the Dubai REST APP (new users have to register first).
• Click on “Individual” and log in with the UAE PASS. You can also log in using your Emirates ID or Residence Visa Number. 
• Authenticate yourself via the UAE PASS application.
• On the dashboard, select the property where you are a tenant.
• Select manage co-occupants.
• Click the tab “Add More” to add co-occupants.
• Enter the co-occupant’s Emirates ID and date of birth. Every person living on the property, including family members and domestic helpers, has to be added. If a co-occupant doesn’t have an Emirates ID, you can add their valid passport number.
• You can remove a co-occupant by clicking on the delete icon.

Facilities tenants/sub-leasers can enjoy in shared accommodations

Residents, including tenants and sub-leasers, living legally in any building in Dubai can enjoy all the facilities available. They can use swimming pools, car parking areas, health clubs, sports halls and playgrounds.

However, the rules for sharing accommodation in Dubai may slightly differ based on the agreement between tenants/sub-tenants and landlords. The list of amenities we shared above is based on the Dubai Rental Law on shared accommodation. There may be some exceptions. Thus, it’s always better to discuss this with your landlord first.

Article 24 of Law No. 27 of 2007 states that “Subject to the association constitution, unit owners and occupiers and their guest must use the common areas … in a way that does not compromise the rights of others to use those areas or disturb others or put their safety or the safety of the jointly owned property at risk.”

In case of any disturbance or trouble, Fellow residents can share their concerns with the landlord and even approach the Dubai Municipality if they’re not responding satisfactorily.

FAQs ABOUT SHARING ACCOMMODATION

IS SHARING ACCOMMODATION LEGAL IN DUBAI?

Under the Dubai Rental Law for shared accommodation, the only legal way to share an apartment or accommodation in Dubai is to do it with the landlord’s consent.

IS SUB-LETTING LEGAL IN DUBAI?

Sub-leasing is only allowed in Dubai if the landlord approves it. Also, sub-leasing in certain areas of Dubai may come with additional legal stipulations. Tenants/sub-tenants should ensure they’re aware of them.

Those sharing accommodation in Dubai can get evicted if involved in antisocial behaviour or illegal activities, such as loud music or drug consumption. Thus bachelors, as well as ladies sharing accommodation in Dubai, must be careful.

CAN UNMARRIED COUPLES LIVE TOGETHER IN DUBAI?

Yes, as per the changes made to the personal and family laws in the UAE, unmarried couples can legally stay together in shared accommodations and/or hotel rooms.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN A 1-BEDROOM APARTMENT IN DUBAI?

As per the rules and regulations, only four bachelors are allowed to share a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai.

We hope the information we covered in this blog will help whenever you’re faced with the question, ‘how to share an apartment in Dubai legally?’

Since apartment sharing for some people is a temporary arrangement, it does not mean that they can easily opt for early termination of tenancy contracts in Dubai. There are rules for that, and it’s best to know the legal outcomes of the move.

Also, the process of paying rent in Dubai is different from that in other countries. So, make sure you’re familiar with that.

Have you decided where exactly you would want to share rental accommodation in Dubai? You could think about living in Deira, one of the oldest commercial districts in the emirate and a vibrant and bustling cultural hub. However, before making your big move, know the pros and cons of living in Deira.

Other than Deira, there are many popular areas where you can think of sharing an apartment in Dubai. Check out the major communities with furnished flats in Dubai. Each of them offers well-furnished apartments so you can live conveniently.

Are you thinking of sharing apartments that are chiller-free? Check out the list of popular areas to rent chiller-free apartments in Dubai.

For more information and updates about the property market in Dubai, stay tuned to MyBayut.