Dubai’s rental sector delivered strong performance throughout 2025, reflecting market stability and greater operational maturity. Growth was driven by rising demand, diversified housing options, and clearer regulatory frameworks governing stakeholder relationships.
According to the Dubai Land Department, registered tenancy contracts increased 6% in volume and 17% in value compared with 2024. As a result, contracts reached 1.38 million, with a total value of AED126.4 billion, underscoring sustained residential and commercial activity.
Rental Growth and Market Stability
New tenancy contracts rose more than 10% to exceed 513,000, reflecting Dubai’s continued appeal as a destination to live and work. In parallel, renewed contracts increased 3% to more than 514,000, thereby signalling stronger tenant retention and satisfaction.
This balanced performance aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to enhance quality of life and reinforce the emirate’s global competitiveness. Moreover, it supports the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, which aims to establish a sustainable market built on regulatory clarity and a balanced ownership-rental model.
The rental segment continues to serve as a gateway to homeownership. Consequently, it supports social and economic stability while strengthening the resilience of the broader real estate ecosystem.
Project Completion and Sales Activity
In parallel, 2025 recorded progress in project delivery. Completed projects increased 7% to 124, with total value rising 23% to AED27.5 billion. Therefore, development activity maintained steady execution momentum.
Projects under construction climbed 25% to 937, reflecting developer confidence in future demand. Additionally, sold units increased 25% to 147,500, while total transaction value rose 30% to AED280 billion.
Although villa transaction volumes declined, their total value increased 12%. This shift indicates stronger demand for higher-value residential assets.
Licensing Expansion and Regulatory Depth
At the regulatory level, the market recorded significant expansion in licensing activity. Registered real estate offices rose 102% to 4,122, bringing the total number of active offices in Dubai to 10,182. As a result, the business ecosystem expanded across brokerage, management, development, and consultancy services.
During 2025, authorities issued 14,364 real estate licences across multiple activities. Real estate sales and purchase brokerage accounted for 6,009 licences, followed by leasing brokerage with 3,513 licences. In addition, 2,126 licences covered transaction follow-up services, while 714 licences related to buying and selling land and properties, and 525 licences were issued for development.
The remaining licences covered property supervision, mortgage brokerage, leasing management, consultancy, and related services. Consequently, licensing continues to function as a core regulatory tool that enhances transparency and operational efficiency.
Overall, the integrated performance across rentals, project delivery, sales, and licensing reflects institutional maturity within Dubai’s real estate market. Moreover, ongoing regulatory development and service enhancements aim to sustain balanced growth and reinforce investor confidence in the years ahead.
