Many Dubai homes are let directly by the landlord, the developer or the company that manages the building, and some of them charge no commission at all. But renting direct does not always mean no fee: two of Dubai's largest landlords publish a 5% commission on their own homes. Dubai's rules set a broker's fee by agreement, or by prevailing practice when nothing was agreed, and the fee is paid by the party that hired the broker (Bylaw No. 85 of 2006, Articles 27 and 33). Betterhomes, a large agency, puts that practice at 5% of the annual rent plus VAT, with most agencies charging a minimum of around AED 5,000. So on a cheaper flat, the fee is often about AED 5,000.
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: No commission · Landlords and developers · Large landlords that charge 5% · Agencies · Direct-from-owner filters · Before you pay
Landlords that say you pay no commission
| Company | Homes | What it says about fees |
|---|---|---|
| AWR Properties, part of AW Rostamani Group | Studios, flats and villas it owns, including Twenty First Century Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, Trio Building and Aria Gardens in Al Barsha, The Bricks in Bur Dubai, Jaddaf Views, El Jardin Residence in Jebel Ali, and villas in Jumeirah | Its listings say "Zero Commission" |
| Dubai Festival City, by Al-Futtaim | One to three bedroom flats at Marsa Plaza, Al Badia Residences and Al Badia Terraces | Its rental page says "0% Commission" |
Landlords and developers that rent out their own buildings
These companies own or run the buildings and have their own leasing teams. Their pages do not state a commission, so ask before you pay.
| Company | Homes | How to rent |
|---|---|---|
| NED Properties | Its own buildings: N198 Tower in Al Nahda, M56 and M70 in Mankhool, and Al Baraha Residences in Deira | Its home rental page, phone or WhatsApp |
| Al Ghurair Property Management | Flats and villas in Deira, Bur Dubai, Al Barsha, Al Qusais and Al Warqa | Register your interest on its site |
| Al Showaib Real Estate | Homes it owns, leases and manages across Dubai, a business it has run since 1990 | Its listings and office |
| Green Community, by Properties Investment (Dubai Investments) | Flats, townhouses and villas in Green Community, Dubai Investments Park | An appointment with its leasing team |
| Dubai Investments Real Estate | Al Mezin in Al Nahda 2, which it leases and manages itself | Contact the company for availability |
| Deyaar Property Management | Studios to two-bedroom flats at The Grand Residence in International City (Warsan) | Register your interest with its leasing team |
Large landlords that still charge 5%
| Company | Homes | What it says about fees |
|---|---|---|
| Wasl | Flats and villas across Dubai, rented online through its website or app | Commission 5%, Ejari AED 225 |
| Dubai Residential, part of Dubai Holding | More than 35,900 homes in communities such as Bluewaters, City Walk, Al Khail Gate, Remraam, Discovery Gardens, The Gardens and International City | 5% of the annual rent, waived on some projects as a promotion |
| Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding | Its communities, with a home rental office at Persia Court, Ibn Battuta Mall | Online bookings go through an agent, either Nakheel's own or a registered outside broker. Ask whether a commission applies |
Ask these companies whether your building has a commission waiver running before you sign.
Agencies
| Company | Homes | What it says about fees |
|---|---|---|
| Betterhomes | Listings across Dubai | Puts the market fee at 5% of the rent plus VAT |
| MPM Properties, part of the ADIB group | Listings including Al Barsha, from its office there | Its fee list shows a 5% commission on a new residential lease and AED 1,050 for the contract, plus VAT |
| Savills | Studios to three-bedroom flats at Expo Village Residences in Dubai South | Not stated |
| Island Falcon | Homes it manages for owners, including Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina | Not stated |
Direct-from-owner filters on property portals
Bayut, Property Finder and dubizzle each have a direct-from-owner section for Dubai. Many listings there are posted by agencies, even when the title says "Direct from Owner" or "No Commission". Ask who owns the home, who will sign the lease and what you will pay in total.
Before you pay
- Check the advert and the company. Scan the advert's Madmoun QR code and start from the company's official website or leasing office. A broker's name can be checked in DLD's licensed broker list.
- Get every charge in writing: commission if any, admin fees, the security deposit, Ejari, and the DEWA and cooling deposits.
- Pay the owner or the leasing company only. Dubai Land Department's tenancy guide says payments should be in the name of the owner or the leasing company, not any other person. Keep a receipt for each payment.
- Register the lease in Ejari in your own name. See DLD's Ejari service for the channels and fees.
Renting a room rather than a whole home? Read our guide to renting a room. For Abu Dhabi, see renting directly in Abu Dhabi. To see what a commission adds to your first year, read the first-year cost of renting and cheaper housing for people working in Dubai.
Company pages and official sources checked on 29 September 2026. Cover generated with AI for illustration.
