DubaiNow Ejari: DLD’s Enhanced Tenancy Service and Rent Now, Pay Later
Introduction
Two changes to Dubai’s rental process arrived in the same week. On 2 November 2026, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched an enhanced Ejari DubaiNow service, which brings registration, renewal and cancellation of tenancy contracts into the government’s DubaiNow app, with the DEWA security deposit paid in the same journey. Three days later, on 5 November 2026, Emirates 24/7 reported that DLD had officially launched “Rent Now, Pay Later” with Emirates NBD, which lets eligible tenants spread their agreed rent over monthly instalments.
This explainer covers what each service does, what changes for tenants and landlords, what is not included, and what to check before you rely on either one. It is based on DLD’s own announcement, the matching Emirates News Agency (WAM) release and the Emirates 24/7 report. We have not invented any steps, fees or figures.
What DLD changed on 2 November 2026
Ejari is Dubai’s official system for registering tenancy contracts, and the Ejari certificate remains the legal record of a lease. DLD’s announcement says the upgraded DubaiNow service now lets customers:
- Create and register a tenancy contract through a single process. The Ejari certificate is issued immediately once the contract is approved.
- Renew and cancel contracts digitally. Landlords and tenants are connected through UAE PASS, the national digital identity so both sides can complete their part digitally.
- Pay the DEWA security deposit in the same journey. This lets the tenant activate electricity and water for the property without a separate application.
DLD presents the upgrade as part of its digital integration with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and of the Dubai Government’s “One Government” concept. It also links the change to the Services 360 policy, which groups related services into one proactive journey, and to the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Digital Strategy.
Three officials are quoted in the release. Mohammed Ali Al Badwawi, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at DLD, called the launch “another milestone” in Dubai’s digital real estate services. Dr Moza Suwaidan, Executive Director of the Digital Applications and Platforms Sector at the Digital Dubai Government Establishment, said success is measured by “fewer steps, greater time savings and a smoother overall experience.” Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA, highlighted paying the deposit and activating utilities in one unified journey.
What it means for tenants and landlords
For tenants, the main gain is fewer hand-offs. In one app you can approve the contract, receive the Ejari certificate and pay the DEWA deposit so utilities can be connected.
For landlords, renewals and cancellations become a shared digital task. Each party signs in with UAE PASS, which creates a clearer record of who approved what and when.
For both sides, the legal basics do not change. The tenancy terms you agree, the rent, and the rules that govern landlord–tenant relationships in Dubai stay the same. The new service changes how you register a lease, not what the law requires.
How the journey works, step by step
DLD describes the flow at a high level, and we keep to that rather than guess at screens we have not seen:
- Both parties sign in to DubaiNow with UAE PASS.
- The tenancy contract is created and registered in one process.
- Once the contract is approved, the Ejari certificate is issued immediately.
- The tenant pays the DEWA security deposit in the same journey to activate electricity and water.
- Later, the contract can be renewed or cancelled digitally, with both parties connected through UAE PASS.
DLD also lists a related e-service page, “Register / Renew / Terminate Tenancy Contract via Dubai Now”. Check it for the current required documents, fees and terms before you start.
Rent Now, Pay Later: what was reported
According to Emirates 24/7 (5 November 2026), DLD officially launched “Rent Now, Pay Later” exclusively through Emirates NBD credit cards. Citing DLD’s website, the report sets out how the service works:
- Instalments: eligible tenants can pay the agreed rent in 6 or 12 monthly instalments with an eligible Emirates NBD credit card. This is subject to the bank’s eligibility criteria and credit assessment. Paying in a single payment is still an option.
- Landlord paid upfront: the landlord receives the amount covered by the service upfront. That can be the full annual rent or part of it, as agreed between landlord and tenant. The bank then manages the tenant’s later payments separately from the landlord–tenant relationship.
- Where it runs: the service is activated in the Dubai REST app when the landlord creates a new residential tenancy contract or renews an existing one. The landlord selects the service, enters the agreed amount and bank details, signs, and sends the contract to the tenant. The tenant reviews and approves it, pays with an eligible card, chooses 6 or 12 months, and an Ejari certificate is issued.
- Who qualifies: only individual tenants renting residential property in Dubai, for a new registration or a renewal. Companies and commercial properties are excluded.
- Fees (as reported): Emirates 24/7 says DLD lists an Emirates NBD processing fee of 1% of the transaction value and a Noqodi fee of 1.5%, both paid by the tenant. The Ejari registration fee of AED 177.50 is charged separately in Dubai REST. DLD says all fees are shown before you confirm payment, and that its cost calculator gives estimates only.
Passing DLD’s quick eligibility check does not guarantee approval or a particular plan. Confirm current fees, eligibility and terms in Dubai REST and with Emirates NBD before you rely on the service. Treat the figures above as reported details, not a quote from us.
Background: the 2025 agreement
On 16 October 2025, at GITEX Global, DLD and Emirates NBD signed a cooperation agreement to digitalise leasing, including security-deposit solutions and financing products. That signing set up the partnership. The November 2026 service is the launch that tenants can actually use.
What is not covered
- Security deposits are not part of the instalment plan.
- Ejari registration fees are charged separately.
- Companies and commercial leases are excluded from Rent Now, Pay Later.
- Approval isn’t automatic. The bank’s credit assessment decides whether you can use the service and which plan you get.
- It is not Flexi Rent. DLD’s separate Flexi Rent initiative works through participating property management companies, which join voluntarily. Payment options there depend on each company and may include monthly, quarterly or semi-annual instalments. Rent Now, Pay Later is a bank-card instalment service run through Dubai REST.
Rental market context
DLD placed the Ejari launch against continued rental activity. In Q1 2026, rental contracts totalled approximately AED 32.2 billion (about USD 8.77 billion, approximate at 1 USD = 3.6725 AED). There were 118,385 new contracts and 135,607 renewals. These are DLD’s registration figures for that quarter, not a forecast. Dubai Media Office published the same Q1 figures in April 2026.
What this means if you are buying in Dubai
If you are buying to rent out, these services mainly affect day-to-day administration: faster Ejari registration, digital renewals and, where the tenant qualifies, rent received upfront through the bank. They do not change rental values, and we make no claims about yields or returns. Judge any unit on its own price, building, service charges and registered transactions.
For context on the sales market, read our look at Dubai ready homes in October 2026 or our Business Bay area guide. You can also browse all properties or contact the Mina Prime Properties team.
Sources
- Dubai Land Department: Dubai Land Department Launches Enhanced Ejari Service through DubaiNow App (2 November 2026)
- Emirates News Agency (WAM): Dubai Land Department launches enhanced Ejari service through DubaiNow app (2 November 2026)
- Emirates 24/7: Dubai launches ‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ service for tenants (5 November 2026)
- Dubai Land Department: Register / Renew / Terminate Tenancy Contract via Dubai Now
- Dubai Land Department: Flexi Rent Initiative
- Dubai Land Department: DLD, Emirates NBD redefine tenant experience with Next-Gen Digital Solutions (16 October 2025)
- Dubai Media Office: Dubai rental market shows stability amid strong regulation and confidence (Q1 2026 infographic)
This article is general information based on the sources above, checked on 8 November 2026. It is not legal or financial advice. Fees, eligibility and app steps can change. Confirm them in DubaiNow, Dubai REST and with Emirates NBD before you act.
