Dubai Real Estate Rentals Market Report 18 January 2026
Dubai Real Estate Rentals Report | 18 January 2026
Market Review
Dubai’s rental market recorded robust daily activity on 18 January 2026, with 836 registered lease transactions generating a total value of AED 89.0 million (approximately USD 24.24 million). The volume reflects steady tenant demand across both residential and commercial segments, supported by a strong level of lease renewals.
Renewed contracts accounted for nearly two-thirds of total transactions, indicating tenant retention across established communities. At the same time, more than 300 new leases were signed, confirming continued absorption and demand across multiple price points and property types.
Residential rentals remained the primary driver of activity, representing over 85 percent of transactions and more than 71 percent of total value. Commercial leases, while smaller in volume, contributed a meaningful share of overall value, driven primarily by offices, shops, and labor accommodation.
From an ownership perspective, transaction value was almost evenly split between freehold and non-freehold areas, highlighting the citywide nature of rental demand across both investment zones and legacy districts.
Bugatti Sky Mansion | Ultra-Luxury Penthouses in Business Bay
Source: Building Arabia.
1. Rentals by Contract Type
| Contract Type | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New | 306 | 34,958,286 | 9,518,934 |
| Renewed | 530 | 54,058,151 | 14,719,714 |
| Grand Total | 836 | 89,016,436 | 24,238,648 |
2. Rentals by Ownership Type
| Ownership Type | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold | 451 | 44,653,067 | 12,158,766 |
| Non-Freehold | 385 | 44,363,369 | 12,079,882 |
| Grand Total | 836 | 89,016,436 | 24,238,648 |
3. Rentals by Property Usage
| Property Usage | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 715 | 63,698,684 | 17,344,774 |
| Commercial | 121 | 25,317,752 | 6,893,874 |
| Grand Total | 836 | 89,016,436 | 24,238,648 |
4. Rentals by Property Type
| Property Type | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A) Unit | 770 | 77,296,319 | 21,047,330 |
| Flat | 606 | 43,833,067 | 11,935,485 |
| Hotel | 10 | 2,173,500 | 591,831 |
| Labor Camps | 46 | 8,085,000 | 2,201,498 |
| Office | 32 | 14,422,724 | 3,927,222 |
| Shop | 61 | 6,755,472 | 1,839,475 |
| Showroom | 1 | 128,000 | 34,848 |
| Studio | 5 | 205,500 | 55,947 |
| Warehouse | 7 | 1,172,504 | 319,219 |
| Workshop | 2 | 520,552 | 141,653 |
| B) Villa | 58 | 11,575,117 | 3,151,836 |
| Villa | 57 | 11,435,117 | 3,113,715 |
| Complex Villas | 1 | 140,000 | 38,121 |
| C) Virtual Unit | 8 | 145,000 | 39,483 |
| Office | 8 | 145,000 | 39,483 |
| Grand Total | 836 | 89,016,436 | 24,238,648 |
5. Rentals by Locality (Top 10 by Value)
| Rank | Locality | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hor Al Anz East | 24 | 14,024,500 | 3,818,788 |
| 2 | Jabal Ali Industrial First | 36 | 6,459,000 | 1,758,747 |
| 3 | Marsa Dubai | 26 | 4,183,608 | 1,139,172 |
| 4 | Jabal Ali First | 46 | 3,382,648 | 921,075 |
| 5 | Business Bay | 20 | 2,316,012 | 630,636 |
| 6 | Al Barsha South Fourth | 32 | 2,254,000 | 613,751 |
| 7 | Al Thanyah Third | 12 | 2,095,583 | 570,615 |
| 8 | Burj Khalifa | 8 | 2,065,000 | 562,287 |
| 9 | Al Thanyah Fifth | 20 | 1,989,681 | 541,778 |
| 10 | Wadi Al Safa 5 | 11 | 1,967,263 | 535,674 |
Rental activity beyond the top ten was broadly distributed across a wide range of districts. Areas with transaction values exceeding AED 1 million included Al Karama, Naif, Al Khairan First, Al Jadaf, Al Hebiah Fifth, Al Suq Al Kabeer, Al Raffa, Wadi Al Safa 7, Al Thanayah Fourth, Madinat Dubai Almelaheyah, Wadi Al Safa 6, Al Hebiah Fourth, Al Yelayiss 2, Al Murqabat, Al Buteen, and Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid.
Additional leasing activity was recorded across numerous residential and industrial districts, reflecting sustained demand for both housing and commercial accommodation across Dubai’s mature neighborhoods and emerging zones.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on publicly available data and Dubai Land Department (DLD) transaction summaries as of the date mentioned in the title of this post.
Final and detailed figures from the DLD may vary upon official release.
1 US Dollar = 3.6725 UAE Dirhams
This report is merely informative, and all investments come with risk. You are responsible for your decisions.