Since 3 June 2026, rent increases in Abu Dhabi are set at 0% a year for residential, commercial and industrial properties across the emirate, for a temporary period and until further notice. Renewals and new agreements reference the rent in the property's last registered Tawtheeq contract. On Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, ADGM says its existing 5% yearly cap continues. This is the status as of ADREC's announcement of 3 June 2026; when we checked ADREC's news centre on 29 October 2026 it showed no later change, so read the official page before you renew.
What exactly did Abu Dhabi announce?
ADREC, the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, said the Government of Abu Dhabi updated the rental increase percentage from 5% to 0% per annum on residential, commercial and industrial properties across the emirate, "for a temporary short period and until further notice". All tenancy renewals are processed at a 0% increase while the measure lasts.
The release also says all lease renewals and new agreements will reference the rental rate from the property's last registered Tawtheeq contract, and that ADREC oversees how the measure is applied. Tenants and businesses who think it is not being observed can contact ADREC through its website, its customer service line or its official email.
Where does the freeze apply, and what about Al Reem and Al Maryah?
ADREC's release covers properties across the emirate. Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are part of ADGM, the international financial centre, which has its own legal framework and lease register. In a statement dated 3 June 2026, ADGM confirmed that its existing 5% annual rent increase cap continues to apply across its jurisdiction on both islands.
| Where the home is | Increase on renewal | Lease register |
|---|
| Abu Dhabi emirate outside ADGM | 0%, until further notice | Tawtheeq, on DARI or TAMM |
| Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands (ADGM) | Up to 5% a year, per ADGM | ADGM AccessRP |
ADGM's AccessRP answers add that a residential renewal can raise the contract amount by at most 5%, while commercial leases have no limit there.
Abu Dhabi's tenancy law, Law No. 20 of 2006 as amended, lets a landlord raise the rent once a year by no more than 5%, and allows the Chairman of the Executive Council to raise, lower or cancel that percentage. The same article lets the rent dispute committee cut an increase back to the legal limit and fine a landlord up to one year's rent for exceeding it. The text is on ADREC's rules and regulations page.
How to renew a lease during the freeze
- Check the rent in your last registered Tawtheeq contract: that is the reference for the renewal.
- If you do not want to renew, or want to change the terms, tell the tenant in writing at least two months before the lease ends, as the tenancy law requires for homes.
- Start the renewal on DARI yourself: DARI says only the landlord can apply, within 1 month before expiry.
- Keep the rent at the registered amount, review the details and send the renewal to the tenant to accept.
- Pay the renewal fee, which TAMM lists as AED 50, and download the renewed contract.
DARI's renewal page, last edited in January 2024, still mentions a 5% ceiling. ADREC's release of 3 June 2026 is the later official word for homes outside ADGM. On Al Reem and Al Maryah the renewal runs on AccessRP, where ADGM says only the landlord can start it, up to 90 days before expiry.
What does this mean for my rental income?
Plan your year on the rent you have registered today. The measure is temporary, but no end date has been announced, so treat any future increase as unknown until ADREC publishes a change. Two practical points help: register every lease on Tawtheeq so the reference rent is clear, and keep the home in good order so your tenant renews.
Official sources
Read on 29 October 2026. Rules and fees can change: check the official page before you act.
Frequently asked questions
Can I increase the rent in Abu Dhabi in 2026?
Outside ADGM, ADREC has set the increase at 0% since 3 June 2026, until further notice, for residential, commercial and industrial properties, so renewals are processed at the registered rent. On Al Reem and Al Maryah, ADGM keeps its 5% yearly cap.
Does the rent freeze apply on Al Reem Island?
Al Reem and Al Maryah are part of ADGM. In its statement of 3 June 2026, ADGM said its existing 5% annual cap continues across both islands.
What rent applies to a new tenant during the freeze?
ADREC says all new agreements will reference the rental rate from the property's last registered Tawtheeq contract. If you plan a different rent for a new tenant, ask ADREC before you register it.
How long will the rent freeze last?
ADREC calls it temporary and in force until further notice. It has not given an end date. Check ADREC's news page before each renewal.
How much notice must a landlord give before a lease ends?
For a home, the tenancy law requires the party who does not want to renew, or wants to change the terms, to tell the other in writing two months before the lease ends. For commercial, industrial and professional property it is three months.
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