Many homes in Abu Dhabi are let directly by the developer that owns them or by the company that manages the building. Renting from them, with no broker in between, can save you the broker's commission. Abu Dhabi's rules leave that commission to the brokerage agreement, cap it at 5% of the annual rent when no amount was agreed, and do not let a broker take it from both you and the landlord (Resolution No. 183 of 2017). On an AED 80,000 home, 5% is AED 4,000.
One rule first: if a broker showed you the home, finish the deal with that broker. A broker who found the home, arranged the viewing or introduced you to the landlord has done the work. Do not go around them to the owner to avoid the fee. The routes below are for homes you find yourself.
Go straight to: Developers and landlords · Property managers · Agencies · Direct-from-owner filters · Before you pay
Developers and landlords that rent out their own homes
| Company | Homes | How to rent |
|---|---|---|
| Aldar | Homes in Aldar's own communities | Through the Live Aldar app. Aldar says you do not need an agent to rent its homes |
| Bloom Holding | Bloom Living (Zayed City), Bloom Gardens (Eastern Mangrove), Bloom Marina (Al Bateen), Bloom Central (Airport Road), Park View and Soho Square (Saadiyat), towers in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi Hills, Al Ghadeer, Mushrif Gardens, and buildings in Al Ain | Its leasing page lists what is available, from studios to villas |
| RAK Properties | RAK Tower on Al Reem Island | Its leasing page and office |
Their leasing pages mention no broker commission. You may still pay a security deposit, a contract or admin fee and the lease registration, so ask for the full list of charges before you pay.
Companies that manage buildings for their owners
These companies look after buildings for the people who own them and sign tenants themselves. Some also work as brokers, so ask whether the home you want is one they manage and whether any fee applies.
| Company | Homes | What it says about fees |
|---|---|---|
| Asteco | Al Rayyana in Khalifa City A (1,537 homes), The Bridges on Al Reem Island, Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid Residences, and villas at Sas Al Nakhl Village | No tenant fee is listed on its leasing pages |
| Rakayez Properties | Apartments at Al Raha Beach, villa compounds in Al Khalidiya, Al Manaseer, Al Mushrif and Khalifa City, homes in Baniyas, and a building in Al Ain | Not stated |
| Abu Dhabi United Real Estate | Julphar Residence on Al Reem Island, Al Salam Tower, Hidd Al Saadiyat, and villas on Jubail Island | Not stated |
| New Star Property Management | Studios to three-bedroom flats in Mushrif, Muroor, Airport Road, Al Nahyan, Al Bateen, Al Reef and Al Reem Island | Says "We Don't Take Any Commission" |
| Island Falcon Property Management | Homes it manages for owners | Says renting through it removes unnecessary fees. Ask which fees you will still pay |
Asteco belongs to Aldar Estates, Aldar's property-management company, as does Provis. For a home Aldar owns, the Live Aldar app is the direct route.
Agencies: a few buildings with no fee, most with a commission
| Company | Homes | What it says about fees |
|---|---|---|
| Savills | Ajwan Towers on Saadiyat and Khalidiya Tower, each with a leasing team on site | Both building pages say "No agency fees" |
| MPM Properties, part of the ADIB group | Apartments and villas in Madinat Al Riyad, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Al Qurm and Jawazat Street | Its fee list shows a 5% commission on a new residential lease and AED 1,050 for the contract, plus VAT |
| Betterhomes | Listings across the city | Says standard broker commission applies |
Direct-from-owner filters on property portals
Bayut, Property Finder and dubizzle each have a direct-from-owner section for Abu Dhabi. Many listings there are posted by property managers and agencies rather than owners. A "No Commission" label covers the broker's fee only, so ask who owns the home, who signs the lease and what else you will pay.
Before you pay
- Deal with the company itself. Start from its official website or leasing office, not a number from a social media post. If it manages the home for someone else, ask which company signs your lease. You can look up licensed companies and brokers in the ADREC directory.
- Get every charge in writing: commission if any, the contract or admin fee, the security deposit, lease registration and cooling.
- Pay the company, not a person. Use its own payment channel and keep a receipt for each payment. Abu Dhabi Police advise checking who is behind an advert before transferring money. Report a suspected fake offer to Aman on 8002626 or by text to 2828 (Abu Dhabi Police notice).
- Register the lease. Outside ADGM, the landlord or its property manager registers the contract on DARI and you accept it. On Al Reem and Al Maryah islands, which fall under ADGM, the landlord or its representative starts the contract on AccessRP and you approve it.
To see what a commission adds to your first year, read the first-year cost of renting and cheaper housing for people working in Abu Dhabi. For searching, viewing and moving in, see our accommodation guide.
Company pages and official sources checked on 29 September 2026. Cover generated with AI for illustration.
