Abu Dhabi Freezes Rent Increases Across All Property Categories
Residential, commercial and industrial rents will remain unchanged for renewals and new leases on previously rented units until further notice.
Abu Dhabi has announced a temporary freeze on rent increases across the emirate, offering relief to tenants at a time of rising regional pressure and market uncertainty.
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre said the decision applies to residential, commercial and industrial properties with immediate effect. During the freeze, all tenancy contract renewals will be processed with a zero per cent increase.
The measure also covers new tenancy contracts for units that were previously rented. In such cases, the new rent must remain the same as the value of the previous contract.
Authorities said the freeze is temporary and will remain in place until further notice. The move is expected to benefit residents, businesses and industrial tenants across Abu Dhabi.
Under the existing rental rules in Abu Dhabi, landlords and property management companies are generally allowed to raise rents by up to five per cent annually, provided tenants are informed at least two months before renewal.
Tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi are registered through Tawtheeq, the official system used by Abu Dhabi Municipality to record lease agreements and protect the rights of both tenants and landlords.
Tenants in the capital also pay a housing fee to Abu Dhabi Municipality. The fee is set at three per cent of the annual rent and applies to housing units in the city.
Abu Dhabi has taken several steps in recent years to bring more transparency to the property market. In 2024, the emirate launched its first official rental index to help tenants and landlords access indicative rental values and support market stability.
This is not the first time rent relief measures have been introduced in the UAE. During the pandemic period, Abu Dhabi Ports froze rents for businesses in its Industrial Cities and Free Zone cluster, helping more than 1,400 companies manage difficult economic conditions.
The latest decision comes as Abu Dhabi continues to focus on community stability and tenant protection during a sensitive period for the wider region.