Can I Airbnb a Dubai property I co-own or inherited?

If you co-own a Dubai property, all title deed holders must agree before you can apply for a DTCM holiday home permit and list on Airbnb. Inherited properties follow the same rule: all named beneficiaries must consent. The DTCM permit application requires documentation confirming ownership and, for co-owned properties, written consent from all parties.

By Chris Veinbaums | Founder, Royale Stays Dubai | DTCM Licensed Operator
Published: June 21, 2026

About our data: Co-ownership and permit requirements drawn from DTCM official policy, confirmed June 2026. Operational data based on experience managing properties across Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and JBR.

Co-ownership and inherited properties raise specific questions about who can apply for a DTCM holiday home permit and what documentation DTCM requires. The short answer is that all title deed holders need to be aligned before any Airbnb listing can go live. For the full range of scenarios Dubai apartment owners face, see all the options for your Dubai apartment by situation. This article covers what DTCM requires for co-owned and inherited properties specifically.

The consent requirement is a hard gate. DTCM will not process a permit application where consent from all title deed holders cannot be demonstrated. The documentation requirements reflect this.

Table of Contents

In short

All title deed holders must agree before a DTCM holiday home permit can be applied for. This applies to co-owned properties and to inherited apartments where multiple beneficiaries are named. A single co-owner cannot submit the permit application unilaterally. The DTCM holiday home permit application requires documentation confirming ownership and, where multiple owners exist, written consent from each party.

What DTCM requires for co-owned property permits

DTCM treats the permit as being issued to the property, and all those with a legal interest in the property must authorise the application. For co-owned properties, this means the title deed listing all owners, passport copies of each owner, and a written consent document signed by all co-owners authorising the permit application and the short-term rental use of the property. If one co-owner is authorised to act on behalf of the others, DTCM may also request a power of attorney.

The documentation requirement is not negotiable. Applications without full consent from all named owners on the title deed will not be processed. This is the same regardless of the percentage ownership split between the parties.

What happens if one co-owner objects?

If one co-owner wants to list the property on Airbnb and another objects, the DTCM permit application cannot proceed. There is no DTCM mechanism to override a co-owner’s objection. The disagreement would need to be resolved between the parties, which in practice means negotiation, a buyout of one party’s share, or, in some cases, legal proceedings through Dubai courts to determine usage rights under UAE property law.

Do inherited properties follow the same DTCM rules?

Yes. When a property is inherited, the beneficiaries named in the inheritance transfer or court order become the title deed holders. All of them must agree before a DTCM permit can be applied for. An inherited property with a single beneficiary who holds the title deed solely in their name can apply for a permit like any standard owner. Where multiple beneficiaries are listed, all must provide written consent before the application can proceed. The same documentation requirements apply as for any co-owned property.

Documents DTCM requires for a co-owned property

The permit application requires: the title deed listing all owners, passport copies of all title deed holders, and a written consent document signed by all co-owners authorising the permit application and the short-term rental use of the property. If one owner holds a power of attorney from the others, that document is also required. DTCM may request notarised or apostilled versions of overseas documents if one or more co-owners are based outside the UAE.

Can a co-owner apply from outside the UAE?

Yes, but the documentation requirements still need to be met. Consent from overseas co-owners typically requires notarised or apostilled documents, since a local consulate or notary needs to attest the signature. Management companies with experience handling co-owned properties can guide you through the specific requirements for remote co-owners. The permit application itself can be submitted without all parties being physically present in Dubai, as long as the full documentation pack is in order.

Co-ownership with a foreign national: does it affect Airbnb eligibility?

Co-ownership with a foreign national does not prevent a Dubai property from being listed on Airbnb, provided all co-owners consent and the property is a standard residential apartment rather than a hotel apartment. Foreign nationals can own freehold property in designated areas in Dubai, and DTCM treats co-owners equally regardless of nationality. The permit application process is the same: title deed, passport copies of all owners, and written consent from each. For more on what foreign nationals need to own a holiday home in Dubai, see owning a holiday home in Dubai as a foreign national.

Conclusion

Co-owned and inherited Dubai properties can be listed on Airbnb, but only with the agreement of all title deed holders. The DTCM permit application requires written consent from every named owner, and the process cannot move forward without it. If all parties agree, the permit process is the same as for any standard residential apartment. To find out what Royale Stays can do for your property once ownership is settled, submit your property and we will get back to you directly.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I Airbnb a co-owned Dubai property without the other owner’s consent?
No. DTCM requires written consent from all title deed holders before a holiday home permit application can be submitted. A single co-owner cannot proceed unilaterally. If co-owners disagree, the dispute must be resolved between the parties before any permit application is possible.

2. What documents does DTCM require for a co-owned property permit?
DTCM requires the title deed listing all owners, passport copies of each owner, and a written consent document signed by all co-owners authorising the permit application and the short-term rental use of the property. A power of attorney may also be required if one owner is acting on behalf of the others. Overseas co-owners may need to provide notarised or apostilled documents.

3. Can I Airbnb an inherited Dubai apartment?
Yes, provided all beneficiaries named on the title deed agree. Inherited properties follow the same DTCM consent rule as co-owned properties. If you are the sole beneficiary and the title deed is in your name only, you can apply for the permit as a standard individual owner. Where multiple beneficiaries hold the title, all must consent before the application can proceed.

4. What happens if one co-owner wants to Airbnb and the other does not?
The DTCM permit application cannot proceed without consent from all title deed holders. There is no DTCM process to override an objecting co-owner. The disagreement must be resolved between the parties, whether through negotiation, a buyout of one party’s share, or legal proceedings through Dubai courts.

5. Do all co-owners need to sign the DTCM permit application?
Yes. DTCM requires written consent from all parties named on the title deed before processing the application. If one owner holds a power of attorney from the others, they can sign on their behalf, but the power of attorney document itself must be included in the application pack.