YOUR GUIDE TO SMARTER, HIGHER-EARNING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
How to rent your apartment short term in Dubai?
Renting your apartment short-term in Dubai needs a DET holiday home permit, landlord consent if you’re a tenant, and registration on licensed platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. The permit costs AED 1,890 to AED 2,790 annually (DET, 2025) depending on bedroom count and must be renewed each year. We handle the entire short-term rental setup for Dubai apartment owners, from DET licensing and photography to live listing and ongoing guest management.
By Chris Veinbaums | Founder, Royale Stays Dubai | DTCM Licensed Operator
Published: October 2025
About our data: Figures drawn from actual booking data across Royale Stays managed properties in Dubai.
Many Dubai property owners want to know how to legally rent their apartment for short stays. This article is part of our Airbnb Management in Dubai: The Complete Guide hub and walks you through the exact process, from licensing to listing setup, so you can start earning from Dubai’s short-term rental market while staying compliant.
In short
To rent your apartment short-term in Dubai, you need a DET holiday home licence, community approval if your building requires it, and a properly set up listing on Airbnb or other platforms. Compliance is mandatory for all landlords, whether you own the property or rent it long-term.
Step 1: get your DET licence
Apply for a holiday home licence through Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism via the Holiday Homes portal at hh.dtcm.gov.ae. The fee is approximately AED 1,520 per year (DET, 2025) for a standard unit, paid annually. You’ll need your title deed or Ejari tenancy contract, a copy of your Emirates ID or passport, and photos of the unit meeting DET standards. Approval typically takes 1 to 2 business days once documents are submitted. For the full walkthrough, see our holiday home licence guide.
Step 2: prepare and furnish your apartment
Your apartment must meet DET standards for safety and guest readiness: functional smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher, quality furniture and bedding, clean linens and towels, and a basic kitchen setup. DET inspectors can visit to verify compliance, and properties that fail inspection can’t go live. For full cost estimates, see our Airbnb setup cost guide.
Step 3: create and optimise your listing
Once licensed, create a listing with professional photos, an accurate description, and an initial pricing strategy. Dynamic pricing tools adjust your rates based on occupancy, local events, and competitor activity. Getting the first 10 reviews quickly is the most important early goal. Guests filter by rating, and new listings without reviews often underperform even at lower prices. See our profit calculation guide for the approach.
Tenant rights and NOC requirements
If you’re a tenant rather than an owner, you can still legally list your apartment short-term in Dubai, provided you have written consent from your landlord and hold a valid DET licence. Some RERA-registered tenancy contracts explicitly prohibit subletting; others don’t address it. Check your contract carefully before proceeding and get any landlord consent in writing. Without it, you face eviction risk and possible licence complications.
Community rules and building restrictions
Some Dubai freehold buildings, particularly in JVC, Business Bay, and certain Marina towers, need an NOC from building management before you can operate a holiday home. The NOC process varies by building: some issue them quickly, others refuse entirely, and a few charge a fee. Confirm your building’s policy before you apply for the DET licence to avoid wasting time and money on a licence you can’t use.
Importance of community approval
Short-term rentals can cause friction in residential buildings: noise complaints, unfamiliar guests in the lobby, higher lift usage. That’s why some communities require an NOC. Getting one early and maintaining good communication with building management makes ongoing operations smoother. A management company with existing relationships in your building can help navigate this.
Getting professional help
We handle the DET licensing process, furnishing setup, listing creation, and all guest operations for landlords and tenants in Dubai. We manage properties in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and JBR, and can advise on whether your building and tenancy arrangement is suitable for short-term rental.
Conclusion
Renting your apartment short-term in Dubai works if you follow the steps in the right order: check your building policy, secure the licence, prepare the apartment, and set up the listing correctly. Cutting corners on the legal side creates fines and platform bans that are harder to recover from than the delay of doing it properly. To get started, submit your property for a free assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to rent my apartment short-term in Dubai?
Yes, a DET holiday home licence is mandatory. Operating without one carries fines starting at AED 5,000 (Decree No. 41/2013). See our licence guide for details.
Can tenants rent out their apartment on Airbnb?
Yes, with written landlord consent and a valid DET licence. Without the landlord’s written agreement, you risk eviction. Learn more in our tenant guide.
Do I need approval from my building to run an Airbnb?
Some buildings need an NOC before allowing short-term rentals. Check with your building management before applying for the DET licence. See our setup guide.
How quickly can I go live on Airbnb once licensed?
Usually within a week once your documents are in order and the apartment is furnished and photographed. Read our management guide for the full timeline.
Do I need to pay tax on short-term rental income in Dubai?
There is no personal income tax in the UAE. A tourism dirham fee is collected from guests on a per-night basis. Learn about all related costs in our profitability guide.