Dubai Real Estate Rentals Market Report 5 January 2026
Dubai Real Estate Rentals Report
Transaction Date: 5 January 2026
Reporting Period: Single Day Performance
Market Overview: The Real Engine of Dubai
While the sales market usually grabs the big headlines, the rental sector is where you really see Dubai’s economic engine at work. The data from January 5th is a perfect example. We saw 4,678 contracts registered, totaling over AED 1.44 billion in annual rental value. This is the city’s heartbeat—the daily reality for thousands of businesses and residents.
The biggest takeaway here is stability. Nearly two-thirds of the day's activity came from renewals. Tenants aren't just moving for the sake of it; they’re staying put, likely to avoid the costs of relocating in a tight market. It’s also clear that while residential leases drive the volume, the established commercial hubs are what really push the total value into the billions.
Elar1s Rise: Modern Apartments in Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai
Source: Building Arabia.
The Daily Snapshot
| Metric | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Annual Rental Value | 1,445,639,377 | 393,613,000 |
| Total Number of Contracts | 4,678 | — |
| Average Annual Rent | 309,000 | 84,100 |
Sector Breakdown: Where is the Activity?
1. By Contract Type: Staying Put
The ratio of new leases to renewals tells us a lot about how settled the market feels right now.
| Contract Type | Number of Contracts | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renewed | 3,101 | 1,149,427,735 | 312,941,000 |
| New | 1,577 | 296,211,642 | 80,646,000 |
| Grand Total | 4,678 | 1,445,639,377 | 393,613,000 |
The Insight: With 66% of contracts being renewals, it's a mature market. Landlords and tenants are finding a middle ground on pricing, choosing the certainty of an existing agreement over the volatility of starting fresh.
2. By Usage: Living vs. Business
This separates the rooftops from the office desks.
| Usage | Number of Contracts | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 3,395 | 1,036,223,080 | 282,137,000 |
| Commercial | 1,257 | 400,721,742 | 109,112,000 |
| Other (Industrial, etc.) | 26 | 8,694,555 | 2,367,000 |
| Grand Total | 4,678 | 1,445,639,377 | 393,613,000 |
The Insight: Residential is the clear volume leader, making up 72% of all contracts. However, the commercial sector punches way above its weight in value, contributing nearly 30% of the total revenue from far fewer deals.
3. By Asset Class: The Unit is King
Most of Dubai’s rental action happens in apartments and offices.
| Property Type | Number of Contracts | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit (Apartments, Offices, Shops) | 4,207 | 1,110,079,577 | 302,260,000 |
| Villa | 348 | 318,110,732 | 86,611,000 |
| Building & Land | 14 | 9,585,179 | 2,609,000 |
| Virtual Unit (Flex/Co-Work) | 109 | 7,863,889 | 2,141,000 |
| Grand Total | 4,678 | 1,445,639,377 | 393,613,000 |
Locality Watch: The Top 10 Hubs
The map shows that the "Old Dubai" commercial cores and high-density districts are still the primary powerhouses for rental value.
| Rank | Locality | Value (AED) | Value (USD) | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Hudaiba | 197,139,036 | 53,672,000 | Major commercial & residential mix |
| 2 | Um Hurair First | 179,828,470 | 48,962,000 | Prime corporate & residential hub |
| 3 | Al Karama | 163,146,040 | 44,418,000 | Massive residential renewal volume |
| 4 | DIP 1 | 97,719,518 | 26,606,000 | Industrial & worker housing |
| 5 | Al Sabkha | 94,849,940 | 25,826,000 | Traditional Deira trading hub |
| 6 | Al Suq Al Kabeer | 79,742,556 | 21,709,000 | High-density retail & residential |
| 7 | Al Jafliya | 45,280,000 | 12,330,000 | Large-scale building renewals |
| 8 | Al Barsha Second | 36,370,000 | 9,902,000 | Luxury villas & apartments |
| 9 | Burj Khalifa | 30,691,050 | 8,355,000 | Premium Downtown leases |
| 10 | Tecom (Al Thanyah 5) | 27,751,446 | 7,556,000 | Media & tech corporate offices |
The Broader View: We also saw heavy lifting in areas like Business Bay, Mirdif, and Al Barsha First. Meanwhile, the volume in Jabal Ali and Al Nahda highlights the massive, constant demand for mid-market housing and logistics space that keeps the city running.
Final Thoughts
The data from January 5th tells a story of a market built on fundamentals. People aren't just speculating; they are moving in, renewing their leases, and running their businesses. While it doesn't have the flashiness of a billion-dirham land sale, this consistent, high-volume rental activity is the real bedrock of the Dubai property market.
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 = 3.672 UAE Dirhams
This report is merely informative, and all investments come with risk. You are responsible for your decisions.