Rent Increase Objection Letter
Used by tenants to formally object to a rent increase that exceeds the Decree 43/2013 cap measured against the DLD Smart Rental Index (building-level). Filed with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC) at Dubai Land Department.
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What is Rent Increase Objection Letter?
Generate a rent increase objection letter for UAE properties. Dispute landlord rent hikes above the DLD Smart Rental Index cap through the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre.
When do you need it?
Used by tenants to formally object to a rent increase that exceeds the Decree 43/2013 cap measured against the DLD Smart Rental Index (building-level). Filed with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC) at Dubai Land Department.
What should this document include?
- • Landlord Name
- • Landlord Address
- • Tenant Name
- • Property Address
- • Ejari Number
- • Current Annual Rent (AED)
- • Proposed New Rent (AED)
- • Increase Percentage (%)
- • Lease Start Date
- • Lease End Date
- • Notification Received Date — Date you received the rent increase notice
- • Smart Rental Index Average (AED) — Building-level average from the DLD Smart Rental Index (Dubai REST app)
- • Reason for Objection
- • Objection Date
How to prepare and submit this document
- 1 Check the Smart Rental Index for your building. Open the Dubai REST app, go to the Smart Rental Index section, and enter your building name or location. The index shows the average rent for your specific building and unit type — this is the benchmark the RDC uses.
- 2 Calculate the legal cap under Decree 43/2013. Compare your current rent to the index average. If your rent is within 10% of the index, no increase is allowed. If 11–20% below, the cap is 5%; 21–30% below, cap is 10%; 31–40% below, cap is 15%; more than 40% below, cap is 20%.
- 3 Fill in all property and contract details. Enter your Ejari contract number, property address, current rent, the landlord's proposed new rent, and the Smart Rental Index average for your building. Incomplete forms are rejected by the RDC.
- 4 File with the RDC before the renewal date. Submit your objection to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre at the Dubai Land Department (or online via the DLD portal) before your contract renewal date. The RDC will schedule a hearing and notify both parties.
Common mistakes that get this document rejected
- ✕ Using the old RERA rent index instead of the building-level Smart Rental Index — the RDC only accepts the Smart Rental Index since January 2025
- ✕ Filing after the contract has already renewed — the objection must be lodged before the renewal date
- ✕ Not attaching the Smart Rental Index report for your specific building — the RDC rejects objections without this evidence
- ✕ Assuming the landlord cannot increase rent at all — increases within the Decree 43/2013 caps are legal if the index supports them
Frequently asked questions
What is the Smart Rental Index and how do I check it?
The Smart Rental Index is Dubai Land Department's building-level rent benchmark, launched in January 2025. It replaced the old area-level RERA index. Check it via the Dubai REST app — search your building name to see the average rent for your unit type.
Can my landlord increase rent by any amount they want?
No. Decree 43/2013 caps increases based on how far below the Smart Rental Index your current rent is: 0% if within 10% of the index, 5% if 11–20% below, 10% if 21–30% below, 15% if 31–40% below, and 20% if more than 40% below.
How long does an RDC rent objection take?
The RDC typically schedules a hearing within 2–4 weeks of filing. A decision is usually issued within 1–2 weeks after the hearing. The entire process takes about 4–6 weeks from filing to final order.