Dubai property rental contracts reached a record high in 2026.
According to a market analysis by fäm Properties, 38,197 rental contracts were registered in July, of which 18,431 were new agreements and 19,766 were renewals. This activity lifted the total number of contracts recorded for the first seven months to 214,445, a 1.9% increase on the same period last year which ended with a record 377,660 contracts.
One‑bedroom units dominated the market, accounting for 88,327 tenancy contracts, or 41% of the total registrations to date in 2026. The strong appetite for smaller homes underscores a continued preference for affordable urban living.
Sales activity and price trends
July also saw 13,872 sales transactions valued at AED34.5 billion ($9.39 billion). Off‑plan sales led the market with 9,585 deals worth AED20.5 billion, while resale transactions numbered 4,287 and were valued at AED14.0 billion.
DXBinteract data highlighted Dubai South as the emirate’s top‑performing area in sales volume for the fifth month in a row, recording 2,351 transactions worth AED2.6 billion. Of these, 2,231 were off‑plan deals amounting to AED2.3 billion.
The most expensive apartment sold in July fetched AED166 million at Aman Residences Tower 2 in Jumeirah Second, while the priciest villa changed hands for AED73 million at The Oasis – Lavita.
Properties priced above AED5 million represented 7% of all sales, 8.2% fell in the AED3‑5 million range, 11.4% were AED2‑3 million, 30.3% were AED1‑2 million and the remaining 43.4% were below AED1 million.
Market outlook and resilience
“The level of rental activity overall is a good sign of market resilience, the volume of renewals alone shows that despite uncertainty over last few months people still see Dubai as one of the best places to live and work.”
— Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties
Msaddi’s comments reflect confidence in Dubai’s rental market despite regional uncertainty. The high proportion of renewals indicates that tenants are choosing to stay, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a desirable place to live and work.
With a steady flow of both new and renewed contracts, alongside robust sales activity across apartments, villas, plots and commercial spaces, the market appears well‑positioned for continued growth throughout the remainder of the year.
Frequently asked questions
How many rental contracts were signed in Dubai in the first seven months of 2026?
Dubai recorded 214,445 rental contracts in the first seven months of 2026, according to fäm Properties analysis.
What percentage of the July 2026 rental contracts were renewals versus new agreements?
In July 2026, 19,766 of the 38,197 contracts were renewals (about 52%) and 18,431 were new agreements (about 48%).
Which type of unit accounted for the largest share of rental contracts in Dubai 2026?
One‑bedroom units dominated, representing 88,327 contracts or roughly 41% of the total registrations to date in 2026.
What was the most expensive apartment sold in Dubai in July 2026?
The priciest apartment sold in July fetched AED166 million at Aman Residences Tower 2 in Jumeirah Second.
