You can register a Dubai tenancy contract on Ejari entirely from your phone using the Dubai REST app, without visiting a typing centre. Log in with UAE Pass, submit the signed tenancy contract, title deed reference, Emirates ID and DEWA premises number, pay the fee, and the certificate is typically issued within one to two working days. Online registration currently runs from roughly AED 155 to AED 220, depending on the service channel, compared with a higher in-person fee at a Trustee centre.
Why Ejari Matters
Ejari, Arabic for “my rent,” is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) system, operated under the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), that legally registers residential and commercial tenancy contracts. Without a valid Ejari certificate, tenants generally cannot activate DEWA electricity and water, sponsor a residency or family visa tied to that address, register a business at the address, or file a case with the Rental Disputes Centre. Because so many downstream services depend on it, most delays in a Dubai move can be traced back to an Ejari step that was skipped or done late.
Documents You Need Before You Start
• Signed tenancy contract in DLD format, with both tenant and landlord signatures
• Title deed number, or Oqood/Usufruct certificate reference for off-plan or leasehold units
• Tenant’s Emirates ID (a passport alone is not accepted for tenants)
• Landlord’s Emirates ID, or passport for non-resident owners
• DEWA premises number from a recent bill, or the Makani number if the unit has no DEWA account yet
Step-by-Step: Registering on the Dubai REST App
• Download Dubai REST from the App Store or Google Play (it’s free) and sign in with UAE Pass, or with your Emirates ID and mobile number.
• From the home screen, go to Services → Real Estate Services (RERA) → Register Rental Contract (Ejari).
• Choose new registration or renewal. Enter the property location, area, building and unit number; the app will try to auto-fill details from the title deed or Makani number.
• Upload the signed tenancy contract PDF, plus scans of the title deed and both Emirates IDs.
• Double-check that the rent amount, contract period and payment schedule shown in the app match the signed contract exactly.
• Pay the registration fee by card in the app.
• The landlord may need to approve the submission in-app before a RERA reviewer issues the certificate, usually within one to two working days.
• Download the Ejari certificate from the app once approved, and use it to activate DEWA and other services.
2026 Fee Reference
| Channel | Typical Cost | Processing Time |
| Dubai REST app (online) | AED 155 – 220 | Same day to 2 working days |
| DLD website (online) | AED 155 – 220 | Same day to 2 working days |
| Trustee / typing centre (in person) | Approx. AED 220 and up | Same day, subject to queue |
Online (Dubai REST App) vs. Trustee Centre: Pros and Cons
| Advantages | Drawbacks | |
| Dubai REST App | No appointment or travel needed; usually cheaper; documents can be prepared and re-submitted from home; status is tracked in-app | Requires comfort with a mobile app and UAE Pass; rejected for blurry scans or mismatched contract details; landlord must approve in-app before issuance |
| Trustee Centre (in person) | Staff can catch document errors on the spot; useful when the landlord is unresponsive or documents are unusual (e.g. missing title deed) | Requires travel and often a queue; typically a higher fee; limited to centre opening hours |
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
| Submission rejected | Blurry, skewed, or cropped scan of the title deed or Emirates ID | Rescan documents flat, in good even light, as clear PDFs or high-resolution photos before resubmitting |
| Details don’t match | Rent amount, contract period, or payment terms in the app differ from the signed contract | Correct the contract or the app entry so both match exactly before submitting for review |
| No DEWA premises number | Unit is newly handed over and has no DEWA account yet | Use the Makani number instead, then update the DEWA reference once utilities are connected |
| Landlord unresponsive | Landlord will not provide the title deed or approve the submission in-app | Request a title deed copy from DLD via Dubai REST for a small fee, or register in person at a Trustee centre where staff can assist |
| Certificate needed urgently | Family visa, business licence, or DEWA deadline is close | Use the Dubai REST app rather than waiting for a Trustee centre appointment, and register as soon as the lease is signed rather than closer to the deadline |
Conclusion
Ejari is one of those small pieces of Dubai admin that quietly unlocks everything else: DEWA, visas, business licensing, and any dispute you might need to file later. The Dubai REST app has made registering it a phone job rather than a trip to a typing centre, and most of the friction people run into – rejected scans, mismatched contract details, an unresponsive landlord – has a straightforward fix once you know what to look for. The one habit worth building is timing: register the moment the lease is signed, not the week a visa or DEWA deadline forces the issue. Do that, and Ejari stops being a hurdle and becomes what it’s meant to be, a quick formality that keeps the rest of your move on schedule.
FAQ
Can I register Ejari online in Dubai?
Yes. DLD lists the Dubai REST App and DLD website/Ejari system among the registration channels. Tenant requests through the app require landlord approval.
How much does online Ejari registration cost?
DLD’s current service page lists a total of AED 177.75 for the online route, including the registration, knowledge, innovation, service-partner and VAT components listed on the page.
What document do I need for the app?
DLD currently lists a copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract for the app route.
Does my landlord have to approve my tenant request?
Yes. DLD’s Ejari campaign says tenant registration through Dubai REST requires landlord approval.
What happens if my landlord does not approve?
DLD says the request is automatically cancelled if the landlord does not approve within five days.
Is Ejari the same as DEWA?
No. Ejari registers the tenancy contract. DEWA handles electricity and water activation. The systems are integrated in relevant move-in cases.
How much is the DEWA security deposit?
DEWA currently lists AED 2,000 for an apartment and AED 4,000 for a villa as refundable electricity/water security deposits.
How long does DEWA activation take?
DEWA states supply is connected within 15 working hours after the required security deposit and activation fees are paid.
Can I get my Ejari certificate again?
Yes. DLD provides a Download Rental Certificate service that uses contract/property identifiers.
Should I use a typing centre?
Online registration is an official channel. A trustee centre is another official channel and may be useful when the online route is not suitable or a representative is involved.
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