Long-Term and Short-Term Subletting: Lawfulness, Required Documents, Ejari, and Licensing
CONTEXT
An individual tenant holds a residential tenancy in Dubai and wishes to sublet the property — either on a long-term basis to another occupant, or on a short-term holiday home basis to guests. The landlord has agreed to the subletting and is willing to provide written consent.
The questions that arise are whether subletting by an individual tenant is lawful in Dubai; what documents govern the relationship with the sub-tenant; how Ejari registration is handled given that the system records only the primary tenancy; and whether the tenant can earn income from short-term subletting without holding a Holiday Home licence.
Four questions arise.
Question 1. Is subletting by an individual tenant lawful in Dubai, and what is the legal basis for such an arrangement?
A:
Yes. Subletting by an individual tenant is lawful in Dubai, provided one condition is satisfied: the landlord’s prior written consent must be obtained before the subletting commences.
Under Article 24 of Dubai Law No. 26 of 2...