Dubai’s rental market witnessed notable expansion throughout 2025, reflecting sustained demand and strong sector performance. Data from the Dubai Land Department revealed that registered tenancy contracts increased by 6% in volume and 17% in total value compared to the previous year. The market recorded 1.38 million contracts, reaching a combined value of Dh126.4 billion. This growth underscores increased population inflows, active residential mobility, and consistent leasing demand across both residential and commercial segments.
New tenancy agreements surpassed 513,000 contracts during the year, marking a 10% increase and signalling continued interest from new entrants into the market. Meanwhile, contract renewals rose by 3% to over 514,000, indicating steady occupancy rates and improved tenant retention. These trends reflect a well-balanced rental ecosystem supported by regulatory transparency and a diverse range of housing options.
Dubai’s real estate development sector also maintained strong momentum. Completed projects rose by 7% to 124 developments, with their total value climbing 23% to Dh27.5 billion. At the same time, projects under construction surged by 25% to 937 developments, highlighting a robust pipeline and continued investor confidence driven by population growth, job creation, and capital inflows.
Property sales performance further reinforced the market’s strength. The number of units sold increased by 25% to 147,500 properties, while the total transaction value jumped 30% to Dh280 billion. Growth was largely driven by high-value properties, with villa prices rising even as transaction volumes softened, indicating a shift toward premium real estate investments.
In parallel, licensing and brokerage activities saw significant expansion. The number of registered real estate offices reached 4,122, more than doubling from the previous year and bringing the total number of active offices in Dubai to over 10,000. Additionally, 14,364 new real estate licences were issued, with a strong concentration in sales and leasing brokerage, alongside transaction services, development, and consultancy.
Authorities noted that this surge reflects growing demand for professional services across the real estate ecosystem and demonstrates the effectiveness of Dubai’s regulatory framework in enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
Overall, the continued rise in both new and renewed tenancy contracts points to a stable and balanced rental market. Supported by strong governance, diverse housing supply, and consistent population growth, Dubai’s real estate sector remains a key pillar of the city’s long-term economic vision and global competitiveness.
