Dubai Real Estate Rentals Market Report 6 January 2026
Market Review: 6th January 2026
Dubai’s rental market saw an extraordinary surge in activity on the 6th of January, recording 5,227 transactions with a total value of AED 7.48 billion. While the sheer volume of deals suggests a bustling residential market, the value was heavily anchored by large-scale institutional leasing. Specifically, the "Labor Camp" segment contributed a staggering AED 3.94 billion—more than 50% of the day's total value—highlighting the massive scale of workforce logistics currently powering Dubai's expansion.
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Geographically, Jabal Ali Industrial First and Oud Metha were the undisputed heavyweights, together accounting for over AED 5.7 billion in rental value. This concentration suggests significant corporate or government-linked lease renewals or new bulk allocations. On the traditional residential front, the market remains remarkably stable; 61% of all deals were contract renewals, indicating high tenant retention. Communities like Jabal Ali First and Business Bay continue to see the highest volume of individual moves, while luxury pockets like Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah maintained steady, high-value activity.
Dubai Real Estate Rentals Report: 6th January 2026
1. Summary by Contract Type
This table tracks the balance between new market entrants and lease stability.
| Contract Type | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| New | 2,020 | 4,821,519,332 | 1,312,871,159 |
| Renewed | 3,207 | 2,660,001,593 | 724,302,680 |
| Grand Total | 5,227 | 7,481,520,925 | 2,037,173,839 |
2. Summary by Property Usage
A breakdown of how the leased space is being utilized across the city.
| Property Usage | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 3,872 | 7,106,359,859 | 1,935,019,703 |
| Commercial | 1,318 | 362,101,559 | 98,600,833 |
| Industrial | 11 | 7,365,232 | 2,005,509 |
| Educational Facility | 1 | 1,500,000 | 408,441 |
| Other | 25 | 4,194,275 | 1,142,076 |
| Grand Total | 5,227 | 7,481,520,925 | 2,037,173,839 |
3. Summary by Property Type
Specific asset classes that dominated the rental market.
| Property Type | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C) Unit | 4,757 | 7,374,947,472 | 2,008,154,519 |
| Labor Camps | 414 | 3,947,966,924 | 1,075,008,012 |
| Flat | 3,138 | 3,078,999,473 | 838,393,321 |
| Office | 490 | 97,847,338 | 26,643,251 |
| Shop | 498 | 118,268,563 | 32,203,829 |
| Warehouse | 58 | 92,948,665 | 25,309,371 |
| Other Unit Types | 159 | 38,916,509 | 10,596,735 |
| D) Villa | 263 | 62,762,954 | 17,090,008 |
| Villa | 245 | 59,580,525 | 16,225,395 |
| Complex Villas | 15 | 2,364,429 | 644,000 |
| Other Villa Types | 3 | 818,000 | 222,771 |
| E) Virtual Unit | 181 | 35,948,724 | 9,788,625 |
| Shop | 1 | 30,623,333 | 8,340,228 |
| Office | 180 | 5,325,391 | 1,450,068 |
| A) Building | 3 | 3,950,000 | 1,075,562 |
| B) Land | 23 | 3,911,775 | 1,065,153 |
| Grand Total | 5,227 | 7,481,520,925 | 2,037,173,839 |
4. Top 10 Localities by Rental Value
Primary districts attracting the highest rental capital.
| Rank | Locality | Number of Transactions | Value (AED) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jabal Ali Industrial First | 379 | 3,964,253,634 | 1,079,442,787 |
| 2 | Oud Metha | 151 | 1,832,559,436 | 498,995,081 |
| 3 | Jabal Ali First | 440 | 599,327,094 | 163,201,387 |
| 4 | Madinat Al Mataar | 92 | 349,870,849 | 95,267,760 |
| 5 | Dubai Investment Park Second | 82 | 160,182,030 | 43,616,618 |
| 6 | Burj Khalifa | 90 | 61,500,739 | 16,746,287 |
| 7 | Al Barsha First | 89 | 36,505,549 | 9,940,245 |
| 8 | Al Thanyah Fifth | 98 | 33,338,629 | 9,077,911 |
| 9 | Business Bay | 269 | 22,420,098 | 6,104,860 |
| 10 | Al Murqabat | 78 | 19,064,475 | 5,191,144 |
5. Other Active Localities
The market showed high transaction density in Al Warsan First (157 deals), Al Barsha South Fourth (148 deals), and Naif (139 deals). Widespread leasing was also observed in Al Karama, Al Suq Al Kabeer, and Hor Al Anz, indicating strong demand for mid-market and heritage districts. Significant activity was recorded across more than 130 localities, reflecting the comprehensive reach of Dubai's rental ecosystem.
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.