Dubai Records 48,639 Lease Contracts in September, Up 22.6%

Dubai recorded 48,639 tenancy contracts in freehold areas during last September, a month-on-month increase of 22.6%, according to data from the DXBInteract platform reported by Al Bayan newspaper. This performance comes at a time when the rental market in the emirate is approaching a historic record high.

The number of new contracts rose by 25.6% year-on-year to reach 25,345 contracts, while renewal contracts increased by 7.6% to record 23,294 contracts. This means that new contracts accounted for more than half of the total registered during the month, reflecting sustained demand for renting residential units in Dubai.

As a result, the total number of tenancy contracts registered in freehold areas during the first nine months of 2026 reached approximately 298,984 contracts, a growth of 6.8% compared to the same period in 2025. The market had recorded an all-time record of 377,926 tenancy contracts for the full year 2025.

The "Al Warsan First" area topped the most active areas in tenancy contracts during the nine months with 28,825 contracts, followed by "Jebel Ali First" with 24,710 contracts, and then "Al Barsha South Fourth" with 24,564 contracts. One-bedroom apartments dominated demand with 124,113 contracts, representing 42% of total registered contracts during the same period.

What Do These Terms Mean?

Freehold Areas: Areas in Dubai where foreigners own real estate outright without the need for a UAE national partner, making them the most attractive to resident investors.

Tenancy Contract: A written agreement specifying the rental duration of the unit, rental value, and obligations of both landlord and tenant, officially registered with the competent authorities.

Renewal Contract: A new contract extending the tenancy of the same tenant for the same unit upon expiration of the previous period, often under renegotiated terms and prices.