You have found a place, agreed on the rent, and shaken hands on the deal. Before you sign anything, take an hour to go through the paperwork properly. Knowing What to Check Before Signing a Tenancy Contract can save you from disputes, surprise charges, and even legal trouble down the line. In the UAE, a signed tenancy contract is a binding document, and most rental disputes at the Rental Disputes Centre start with clauses the tenant never read.
This guide walks you through every item worth checking — from the parties named in the contract and the payment schedule to maintenance duties, notice periods, and the registration that makes your contract legally recognised. If you are still at the house-hunting stage, our guide on how to check a rental contract is a useful companion read.
Quick Answer
Before signing a tenancy contract in the UAE, check that the landlord is the legal owner (or authorised agent), the property details match what you viewed, the rent amount and cheque schedule are correct, the security deposit and its refund terms are written down, the contract is registered (Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi), and maintenance responsibilities, notice periods, and early-termination clauses are clearly stated.
What to Check Before Signing a Tenancy Contract: The Full Checklist
Use this section as your actual checklist. Go through the contract line by line and tick off each point before you put your name on it.
1. The parties and the property details
The contract must name you (the tenant) and the landlord with full names as they appear on Emirates ID or passport. If you are dealing with an agent or property management company rather than the owner, ask for proof that they are authorised to rent the unit — a power of attorney or a management agreement. Then check the property details: unit number, building name, area, and the plot/makani number where relevant. These should match the property you actually viewed. Mistakes here can cause problems with registration and utility connections later.
Ask to see the landlord’s title deed (or a copy of it) before you sign. In Dubai, the landlord should hold a valid title deed for the property being rented. This one step rules out the most common rental fraud, where someone rents out a unit they do not own or that is already leased to someone else. For more on how the wider market works, see our Dubai rental market guide for tenants.
2. The rent amount and payment schedule
Confirm the annual rent figure and the exact payment schedule: how many cheques, the amount on each, and the dates they will be cashed. In the UAE, rent is commonly paid in post-dated cheques — anywhere from one cheque to twelve, depending on what you negotiate. More cheques usually means a slightly higher total rent, so weigh the convenience against the cost.
Make sure the contract states the rent clearly in words and numbers, and check that the dates on your cheques match the schedule in the contract. A bounced cheque in the UAE is a serious matter, so never hand over a cheque for a date you cannot cover. You can read more about this in our guide to UAE cheque bounce rules. Also check whether the contract mentions any fees payable to the agent — the typical brokerage fee in Dubai is around 5% of the annual rent — and confirm who is paying it.
3. The security deposit
The security deposit should be stated explicitly in the contract: the amount, how it is held, and the conditions for its return. Typical practice in Dubai is 5% of annual rent for an unfurnished unit and 10% for a furnished one, though this can vary. Critically, the contract should say what deductions the landlord may make and within what time the deposit is returned after you move out. Vague deposit clauses are one of the most common sources of end-of-tenancy disputes, so get the specifics in writing. We cover this in detail in our guide to rental deposit rules explained.
4. Contract duration, renewal and termination
Most tenancy contracts in the UAE run for one year. Check the start and end dates carefully, and note what the contract says about renewal: many contracts auto-renew under the same terms unless either party gives notice, and Dubai law requires specific notice periods for rent increases or eviction. If the contract is silent on renewal, the default legal position still protects tenants, but having it written down avoids arguments.
Look for the termination and exit clauses. What happens if you need to leave early? Some contracts allow early termination with a penalty — commonly one or two months’ rent — while others hold you to the full term. Never assume you can simply hand back the keys; an early-exit clause written into the contract is the only thing that gives you a clean way out.
5. Who fixes what: maintenance responsibilities
Every contract should divide maintenance into minor and major. As a general rule in the UAE, tenants handle minor repairs (replacing light bulbs, unclogging drains, small fixes) while landlords handle major maintenance (air-conditioning systems, plumbing infrastructure, appliances that came with the unit). The problem is that “minor” and “major” are rarely defined the same way by both sides.
Look for a specific clause or an amount threshold — some contracts state that the tenant covers repairs below a certain value and the landlord covers everything above it. If the contract has no maintenance clause at all, add one before signing. Without it, you may find yourself paying for a broken water heater that was never your responsibility.
6. Notice periods and additional clauses
Check the notice periods for every scenario: rent increase, non-renewal, and eviction. In Dubai, for example, a landlord must give 12 months’ notice for eviction under specific legal grounds, delivered through a notary or registered mail. Make sure your contract reflects the legal notice periods rather than inventing shorter ones.
Then read the smaller clauses people tend to skip: subletting (usually forbidden without written permission), pets, alterations to the unit, guest policies, and who pays for what utilities. If you plan to share the unit with roommates, get that arrangement in writing too. Anything that is not in the contract effectively does not exist if a dispute arises, so the rule is simple — if it matters to you, make sure it is on the page. Our guide to rental agreement requirements explained breaks down which of these clauses are legally required.
Registration Matters: Ejari, Tawtheeq and Beyond
An unregistered tenancy contract is far weaker in a dispute than a registered one. Registration makes your tenancy official in the eyes of the authorities, and in most cases you cannot connect utilities, get a residence visa renewed, or sponsor family members without it.
Dubai: Ejari
In Dubai, tenancy contracts must be registered through Dubai Land Department‘s Ejari system. Registration is usually done by the landlord or agent, and you should receive the Ejari certificate. Our step-by-step walkthrough covers Dubai Ejari registration in full. Before signing, ask who will handle the registration and when — and do not accept vague promises.
Abu Dhabi and other emirates
Abu Dhabi uses the Tawtheeq system, run through the TAMM portal, for registering tenancy contracts. Sharjah, Ajman, and the northern emirates have their own municipal registration systems. The principle is the same everywhere: make sure registration is mentioned in the contract and completed shortly after signing.
Red Flags That Should Make You Pause
- The landlord refuses to show a title deed or ID. Walk away — this is the single biggest warning sign of rental fraud.
- The rent is far below market. If the price looks too good, it usually is. Compare with similar listings before committing.
- You are pressured to sign and pay immediately. A genuine landlord will give you time to read the contract and arrange the deposit.
- The contract is a one-page printout with no registration. A proper tenancy contract covers the items above and is registered with the authorities.
- Payment must go to a third party in cash. Rent and deposit should be paid by traceable means to the landlord or licensed agency. Large cash demands with no receipt are a red flag.
- Utilities are “included” but undocumented. If bills are bundled into the rent, check UAE utility connection requirements so you know whose name the accounts are in and what happens at handover.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I sign a tenancy contract without an Ejari registration?
You can sign, but you should not stop there. In Dubai, registration through Ejari is what gives your contract full legal standing, and you will need the Ejari certificate for utility connections, visa renewals, and family sponsorship. Confirm before signing who will register the contract and by when.
How many rent cheques should I agree to?
It depends on your budget and negotiation. One cheque usually gets you the lowest total rent; twelve cheques spread the cost but often come at a premium. Whatever you agree on, make sure the contract’s payment schedule matches the cheques you actually sign — and never post-date a cheque you cannot cover.
Should the contract mention who pays for air-conditioning maintenance?
Yes — and this is one of the clauses most worth reading in the UAE, where the AC runs most of the year. Major AC repairs are normally the landlord’s responsibility, but many contracts assign routine servicing to the tenant. Get the split written down explicitly rather than relying on custom.
What documents should I collect before signing?
From the landlord or agent: a copy of the title deed, the landlord’s ID or passport copy, and proof of the agent’s authorisation if you are not dealing with the owner directly. From your side, you will typically need your Emirates ID, passport, and visa copies — the standard documents required to rent a property in the UAE.
Can I get out of the contract if the landlord breaks the terms?
If the landlord materially breaches the contract — for example, failing to carry out major repairs or cutting off agreed services — you have grounds to raise the matter with the rental dispute authorities in your emirate. Document everything in writing first: emails and registered letters carry far more weight than phone calls if the case goes to a dispute committee.
The Bottom Line
A tenancy contract rewards careful reading and punishes haste. Verify the landlord, confirm the numbers, pin down maintenance and exit terms, and make sure registration is part of the deal. An hour spent checking these items now is worth far more than months spent untangling a dispute later. Sign only when every answer is on the page.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.