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Can I rent my apartment on Airbnb in Dubai? The rules for owners and tenants (2026)

The short answer: usually yes, if you get a DET holiday home permit and nothing about your property blocks short-term renting. Here's how the rules apply to your exact situation, whether you own, rent, have a mortgage, or are still waiting for handover.

By Maryam & Arya, Hostwise · Updated 28 October 2026 · 7 min read

Your situation at a glance

Your situation	Can you rent it on Airbnb?	What you need
You own it outright	✅ Usually yes	A DET holiday home permit, plus your building's approval if it requires one
You own it with a mortgage	✅ Usually yes	As above, and check your bank's terms on renting it out
You rent it (tenant)	⚠️ Only with permission	Written approval (NOC) from your landlord that explicitly allows short-term rental, then a DET permit
It's still off-plan	⏳ Not yet	In practice you need the unit handed over, with the documents DET asks for (such as the title deed and a DEWA account)
It's a hotel apartment	❌ Generally not as a holiday home	Hotel apartments generally can't be registered as holiday homes
Your building bans short-term rentals	❌ Not in that building	Building and community rules still apply, even with a permit

If you own the apartment

Owners have the simplest route. You can register your own home directly with Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as an individual owner. You don't need a trade licence or a management company to host your own property, and published guides put the limit at up to 8 units per owner.

Before applying, check four things:

Title deed: the property should be classified as residential.
Building and community rules: some developers and owners' associations restrict short-term rentals or require an NOC.
Mortgage: if you have one, check your bank's terms on renting the property out.
Co-owners: if the property is jointly owned, make sure all owners agree, as DET or your building may ask for it.

Good timing: DET has waived all holiday home unit permit and registration fees from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.

If you rent the apartment

Tenants can't simply list their rented apartment on Airbnb. Subletting without permission can breach your tenancy contract. To do it properly, you need:

A written NOC from your landlord that explicitly allows short-term or holiday home rental. A general subletting clause may not be enough.
Any approvals your building requires.
A DET holiday home permit, applied for with your tenancy documents and the landlord's NOC.

Many landlords say no, or ask for a share of the income. Have that conversation before you furnish anything.

When your building says no

A DET permit doesn't override your building's rules. If your community or building management restricts short-term rentals:

Ask exactly what the rule is. Some buildings ban it completely, others only require an NOC or registration with security.
Get the answer in writing, so you know where you stand before spending money on setup.
If it's a firm ban, consider a long-term lease for that unit, or look at buildings that welcome holiday homes if you're buying to invest.

How to get started, step by step

Confirm you're allowed: title deed, building rules, mortgage, and the landlord NOC if you're a tenant.
Register on the DET Holiday Homes portal and apply for a permit for the unit. See our Airbnb license guide for the documents and steps.
Prepare the apartment to the classification you choose (Standard or Deluxe).
Set your prices by season. Our pricing guide shows how.
List on Airbnb and Booking.com with your DET permit number, only once the permit is approved.
Run it properly: register every guest with DET, file the Tourism Dirham monthly, and keep guests happy. See our guest management guide.

For the full picture, read our owner's guide to hosting your own apartment.

What happens if you list without a permit

Hosting without a valid DET permit can lead to fines, and platforms can remove your listing. You may also run into trouble with your building or landlord. With permit fees currently waived, there's no good reason to take that risk.

Not sure if your apartment qualifies?

Book a one-to-one Ask the Owl session. We'll look at your situation, from title deed and building rules to your landlord's NOC, and tell you honestly whether and how you can host. AED 299 until 30 November (normally AED 499).

Check my apartment

FAQ

Can I put my apartment on Airbnb in Dubai?

Usually yes, if you get a DET holiday home permit first and your title deed, building rules and any mortgage allow short-term rental. Tenants also need written approval from their landlord.

Can I rent my apartment on Airbnb in Dubai without a licence?

No. Every holiday home needs a DET permit before you accept bookings. Owners don't need a trade licence to host their own home, but they do need the permit.

Can a tenant rent out their apartment on Airbnb in Dubai?

Only with a written NOC from the landlord that explicitly allows short-term rental, plus any building approvals and a DET permit.

Can I rent an off-plan apartment on Airbnb?

Not until it's handed over. You need the documents DET asks for, such as the title deed and a DEWA account, so in practice hosting starts after handover.

Can I rent my apartment on Airbnb if my building doesn't allow it?

No. A DET permit doesn't override building or community rules. Ask building management exactly what's allowed, and get the answer in writing.

How long does it take to start?

Once you have the documents and any NOC, a DET permit typically takes from a few working days to a few weeks. Getting a building or landlord NOC is often the slowest part.

Official sources

About the authors

Maryam, Founder & Holiday Home Advisor at Hostwise. Maryam advises Dubai owners and operators on DET permits, setup, pricing and listings.

Arya, Operations Advisor at Hostwise. Arya has three years' experience managing holiday homes in Dubai Marina, JBR and Downtown, specialising in pricing and guest communication.

Hostwise is an independent advisory. We don't manage properties or take a cut of bookings. Meet the team

Last updated 28 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by building and can change, so confirm current requirements with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), your building management and, if you're a tenant, your landlord. Airbnb is a trademark of Airbnb, Inc.; Hostwise is not affiliated with Airbnb.