Dubai registers rises in tenancy and lease contracts

Dubai registered 1.4 million tenancy contracts in 2025, an annual increase of 6 percent.

The total value of the contracts climbed 17 percent to AED126 billion ($34.3 billion), according to data released by the Dubai Land Department. 

New lease agreements passed 513,000, up 10 percent, while renewals edged up 3 percent to more than 514,000 contracts.

Real estate project completions also advanced, with 124 developments delivered during the year, a 7 percent increase from 2024. The combined value of these projects was AED28 billion.

The number of projects under construction grew by a quarter year on year to 937.

The emirate reported the addition of 4,122 real estate offices in 2025, more than double the previous year, bringing the total number to 10,182. 14,364 real estate licences covering various business activities were issued.

In September, the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment said that the emirate’s population now tops four million people, doubling since 2011 and rising by 5.5 percent in the 12 months to August 2025.

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Dubai’s population could reach 5 million people by late 2029 or early 2030, if annual growth of 5-6 percent continues, it said.

Despite the rising population numbers and increased rental contract numbers, AGBI reported last month that rental defaults had increased sharply in the city. 

Defaults in Dubai doubled last year but most late payments reflect short-term liquidity issues such as job transitions or redundancies, rather than outright insolvency.