'Property Finder': Dubai Apartment Rents Decline in 9 out of 10 Areas
Data from Property Finder showed a decline in average asking rents for apartments in 9 out of 10 areas in Dubai, with Downtown Dubai dropping 21.7%.
Asking rents for apartments declined in 9 out of 10 residential communities in Dubai between the third quarters of 2025 and 2026, according to data from Property Finder platform reported by Khaleej Times.
The decline included Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Arjan, Dubai Creek Harbour, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Meydan, and Palm Jumeirah, while rents remained unchanged in Dubai Hills Estate.
Downtown Dubai recorded the largest drop at 21.7%, followed by Dubai Marina at 16.1%, while the average daily number of apartments listed for rent in September 2026 rose by 55.1% compared to the same month last year, alongside a 15.4% increase in tenant inquiries.
Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, said that the median rent for apartments peaked at AED 135,000 in December 2025 before dropping to AED 100,000 by June, then reaching AED 105,000 in September, adding that it is a good time for tenants to compare options and negotiate.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Asking Rent: The price advertised by the landlord or broker for the unit, which may differ from the final price after negotiation.
Median Rent: The value at which half of the units are priced higher and the other half lower, which is more accurate than the simple average.
Supply and Demand: The relationship between the number of available units and the number of people searching for them; when supply exceeds demand, prices tend to decline.
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