Within Dubai

Shared Housing in Dubai: All What You Need to Know

January 18, 2025

If you are thinking about shared housing in Dubai as a solution to save money and reduce the budget allocated for monthly or annual rent. Or maybe asking yourself, is shared housing in Dubai legal? Then you are in the right place as it is important to understand the legality of shared housing in the emirate before proceeding with it, as well as the role of the property or housing owner in this arrangement.

Here in this article, you will get to know the laws regarding shared housing in Dubai and all aspects related to it from legal, social, and practical perspectives.

Provisions of the Law of Shared Housing in Dubai

Although living alone and independently is far preferable to shared housing and provides greater privacy—such as residing in studios or small apartments in Dubai—shared housing remains an option for individuals under certain conditions.

The law of shared housing in Dubai stipulates that the property owner must approve the shared housing arrangement and be informed of all details related to the individuals residing together in the same apartment or house. This aligns with the regulations of the Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and the laws of the Dubai Land Department, which aim to organize the relationship between property owners and tenants.

According to Article 24 of Dubai Rental Law No. 26 of 2007, tenants are not permitted to sublease or use the property without the landlord’s knowledge. Any agreement involving the sharing of housing must include details about hosting individuals for shared living and explicitly state the landlord’s written consent in the lease agreement.

If the tenant violates the shared housing law, the landlord has the right to evict all individuals sharing the property, including the tenant, regardless of whether the lease term has expired.

The text of Article 24 under the “Tenant Obligations” clause in Law No. (26) of 2007 concerning the regulation of the relationship between landlords and tenants in Dubai states:

“Unless otherwise agreed upon in the lease agreement, the tenant may not assign the use of the property or sublease it to others without the landlord’s written consent.”

Etiquette and Rules for Shared Housing in Dubai

Shared housing offers numerous benefits and advantages that encourage individuals to adopt it as an excellent housing option in Dubai. These advantages include the opportunity to learn about different cultures, such as participating in cultural exchange programs, living with friends arriving from abroad or residing in the UAE, and enjoying new experiences through cohabitation with others.

In some cases, individuals opt for shared housing, such as sharing a room with another person for a monthly rent to split the cost. However, the tenant and the co-tenant (roommate) may not know each other well and require clear guidelines to regulate their relationship with each other and the property owner. Therefore, etiquette and rules for shared housing are included in Dubai’s shared housing rental law, as follows:

The subtenant (roommate) has the right to continue renting the property until the original lease agreement between the tenant and the landlord expires.
The lease agreement must define the relationship between the original tenant and the subtenant.
The tenant must adhere to all laws agreed upon between them and the landlord.
All parties—landlord, tenant, and subtenant (roommate)—must comply with the housing laws outlined in the lease agreement.

Housing Law for Singles in the UAE

Dubai attracts visitors from around the world and from diverse cultures and countries. Therefore, the shared housing law in Dubai allows singles and unmarried individuals to share a room or a house. However, the singles housing law in the UAE requires that the landlord or property owner be informed about the nature of the relationship between the tenant and their roommate/partner and obtain the landlord’s approval for their cohabitation.

It is worth noting that the property owner has the authority to either approve or deny the arrangement. The tenant cannot violate the landlord’s decision; otherwise, they risk facing fines for violating Dubai’s shared housing law and jeopardizing their relationship with the landlord.

Facilities Available for Tenants and Roommates

Dubai’s shared housing law allows tenants and subtenants to freely and comfortably use the property’s facilities, such as shared swimming pools, gyms, health clubs, and other amenities.

The law also stipulates that this matter must be clearly stated in the lease agreement, with the landlord’s written approval allowing the tenant to use the facilities. If the tenant fails to comply with the landlord’s decision regarding the use of these amenities, it is considered a violation of Dubai’s shared housing law, which may result in financial penalties.

Article (11) of the 2007 Dubai Shared Housing Law states:

“The rental fee includes access to the property’s facilities, such as swimming pools, courts, gyms, health clubs, parking spaces, and others, unless otherwise agreed upon.”

At times, disputes or disagreements may arise between tenants regarding the use of facilities. If you encounter any issues with another tenant or subtenant, make sure to inform the landlord or property owner so they can address the matter by the terms of the lease agreement and shared housing laws.

Registering Roommates in Ejari

Should roommates or subtenants register in the Ejari system? The answer is, of course, yes. This is because the Ejari system in Dubai clarifies the nature of the rental agreement between individuals, including the type of lease (short-term or long-term), the parties involved (landlord, tenant, and subtenant), the type of property (villa, apartment, studio, or others), and many other details related to personal data and information.

The Ejari smart application has successfully enhanced transparency and clarity in relationships between individuals in the real estate sector, particularly in rentals. Dubai’s shared housing law mandates the registration of roommates and subtenants in the Ejari system.

Whether you are the original tenant of the property or a subtenant (roommate), ensure you register in the Ejari system and create a new account on the platform by entering your Emirates ID or passport number and completing all the required information about your rental agreement.

Registering roommates in Ejari helps protect the rights of all parties and is essential to avoid disputes and conflicts between tenants and landlords, as well as to prevent violations of Dubai’s shared housing law, which could result in harm and fines for violators. We encourage you to explore real estate apps in Dubai if you are looking for shared housing or roommates in the Emirates.

Penalties for Violating Dubai’s Shared Housing Law

The penalty for violating Dubai’s shared housing law varies depending on the violation committed by individuals. However, if the original tenant illegally subleases the property or fails to register the sublease for more than six months, they are required to pay a fine ranging from 500 to 1000 AED. This fine is doubled if the violation is repeated more than once in the same year.

Here are some common violations of Dubai’s shared housing law to avoid if you are subleasing or sharing housing with others:

Delayed registration of the sublease agreement
Damaging the property or its facilities
Disturbing other tenants and failing to follow conduct and etiquette rules
The original tenant unlawfully subleased the property without the landlord’s knowledge

If the tenant violates the shared housing law in Dubai, the property owner has the right to evict the apartment or property and ask the tenant to leave the building.

Article (25) under the “Eviction Cases” clause in Dubai’s shared housing laws states:

“If the tenant subleases the property or any part of it without obtaining the landlord’s written consent, in this case, eviction applies to the subtenant, while preserving the latter’s right to seek compensation from the original tenant.”