Renting a home

Every step, and what proves it happened

• 1. Owner's approval of the broker

  The owner's written authority for the brokerage to act and to advertise. Filed with ADREC · Madhmoun. Without it the listing has no basis.

  DMT · ADRECThe landlordConfirmed

• 2. Madhmoun permit issued

  Advertising without it is the fine, and it falls on whoever placed the advert. Filed through the ADREC Madhmoun system. In Abu Dhabi it is issued to a licensed brokerage, so an owner listing directly cannot hold one - this is the step where an agent is required.

  DMT · ADRECYour agentConfirmed

• 3. Listing live

  With the permit number displayed.

  Your agentConfirmed

• 4. Viewings

  Recorded against the listing.

  The tenantConfirmed

• 5. Offer and terms agreed

  Rent, the number of cheques, and the term.

  The tenantConfirmed

• 6. Tenancy contract signed

  Signed by both parties, in the unified tenancy contract form. What is signed here is what gets registered.

  Your agentConfirmed

• 7. Deposit and cheques

  The security deposit plus the rent cheques. Five per cent of the annual rent unfurnished and ten furnished is the usual figure — market convention, not a rate fixed in law, so it is whatever the contract says. The deposit is held by the landlord until hand-back and is not rent; get the condition of the unit recorded before it changes hands.

  The tenantConfirmed

• 8. Tenant identity check

  Emirates ID or passport and visa status. The registry asks for it, so it gates the step after this one rather than this one.

  The tenantConfirmed

• 9. Tawtheeq registration

  Registering the lease is what unlocks DEWA/utilities, parking and school admission. Not a listing permit — a different thing entirely.

  DMT · ADRECThe landlordConfirmed

• 10. Utilities connected

  The lease registration is what the utility provider asks for.

  The tenantConfirmed

• 11. Move-in permit

  Most managed buildings require the owners association's move-in permit before keys — the registered lease, a refundable move-in deposit and a booked lift slot. Ask the community management for theirs; it is the step that most often delays a move by a week.

  Your agentConfirmed

• 12. Handover and inventory

  Keys, access cards and parking, against a written condition report with photographs. The report is what the deposit is judged against at the end, so it is worth the twenty minutes.

  Your agentConfirmed

• 13. Renewal notice

  Serve notice before the term ends if the rent or the terms are to change — miss the window and the existing terms roll on. Ask Department of Municipalities and Transport · ADREC for the period that applies; it is not Dubai's ninety days everywhere.

  DMT · ADRECThe landlordNot confirmed