Once procedures are finalised, eligible properties will be able to apply through Dubai Municipality’s digital channels and obtain a permit outlining the required conditions.
Applications for shared housing permits in Dubai have not yet been opened. Eligible properties will be able to apply once the relevant procedures and requirements are formally announced, Dubai Municipality (DM) told.
“Applications will be submitted through the DM digital channels in accordance with the procedures that will be announced,” the municipality confirmed, adding that detailed guidelines are currently being prepared to ensure clarity for property owners and operators.
In March, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued a new law regulating the management and occupancy of shared housing in Dubai. The legislation establishes clear rules for permits, leasing, and safety standards, with the aim of protecting residents and property owners while preventing overcrowding and informal housing.
The move followed a series of crackdowns on overcrowded partitioned and shared apartments in several areas across the emirate, including Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat, Al Barsha, Al Satwa, and Al Raffa.
What the permits will cover
While the application process has not yet opened, Dubai Municipality has outlined the scope of the upcoming permits. Each permit will certify that a residential unit meets specific technical requirements and conditions, including the maximum number of permitted residents, the minimum space allocated per resident, and the availability of essential shared facilities within the unit.
The processing time for permits and the applicable fees are still being finalised as part of the implementation framework. These details will be announced alongside the official rollout procedures.
Under the new system, no individual or entity will be allowed to operate shared housing without a valid permit issued by Dubai Municipality in coordination with the Dubai Land Department and other relevant authorities.
The rules
A key change under the new regulation is that only property owners or licensed establishments will be permitted to lease units. Previously, tenants often subdivided rented apartments and sublet them—an arrangement that will no longer be allowed.
Shared housing permits will be valid for one year and renewable for the same period, with an option for a two-year permit. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before expiry.
Leasing can be carried out directly by the owner, through a licensed management company acting on the owner’s behalf, or by an establishment that leases and then sublets the unit.
Violations of the law may result in fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh500,000, with repeat offences within a year subject to doubled penalties, up to a maximum of Dh1 million.
