Dubai’s rental market continues to be one of the most dynamic in the world — and with that comes plenty of questions from residents. One common concern we hear often is:

“My neighbour pays less rent than I do for a similar apartment because he pays in one cheque. Is this legal?”

In this blog, we break down what Dubai’s tenancy laws actually say, how rent is determined, and what tenants can do to verify whether their rent aligns with the official rental index.

Understanding How Rent Is Determined in Dubai

Under the Dubai Tenancy Law, the rent for any property must be clearly specified in the tenancy contract.

This is confirmed under Article 9, which states:

“Landlords and tenants must specify rent in the tenancy contracts. If the parties fail to specify the rent and it is impossible to prove the rent agreed upon by them, the rent will be the rental value of similar real property.”

This means:

  • Rent must always be mutually agreed.
  • If rent is not documented, it defaults to the market rent of similar units.

Is It Legal for Landlords to Charge Different Rent Based on Cheque Payments?

Short answer: Yes — it is legal.

There is no law in Dubai that requires landlords to charge the same rent to all tenants, even if they live in identical units in the same building.

Landlords can offer different rent depending on:

  • Number of cheque payments
  • Upfront payment vs
  • monthly/quarterly instalments
  • Tenant profile and negotiation

Many landlords provide a discount when tenants pay in fewer cheques because:

  • It improves the landlord’s cash flow
  • Reduces payment risk
  • Minimises administrative work

So, a tenant who pays in one cheque may legally be offered a lower rent compared to someone paying in four or six cheques.

What Are the Legal Conditions?

While landlords can set different rents based on payment terms, there is one requirement:

✔ The rent must comply with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) Rental Index

This is enforced under Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013, which regulates rent increases.

As long as:

  • The rent you are paying
  • the discounted rent your neighbour is paying

both fall within the permitted DLD limits, the practice is allowed.

How Tenants Can Protect Themselves

You can always check whether your rent is within the legal range by using the DLD Rental Index — available through the Dubai Land Department website.

This tool lets you:

  • Verify the average rent for your property type
  • See if your current rent is reasonable
  • Check if a rent increase is permitted

It’s a simple step that helps ensure you are not paying more than the legal maximum.

Key Takeaways

✔ Yes, landlords can legally charge different rents to tenants in the same building.
✔ Rent discounts for fewer cheques are allowed and common in Dubai.
✔ The only rule: rent must align with the DLD Rental Index.
✔ Tenants should verify their rent on the DLD website to ensure compliance.