If you live in shared housing in Dubai, there’s a new rule you should know about. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued a new law that regulates shared housing across the emirate, setting requirements for property owners, tenants, and companies managing these units.

Shared housing is common in Dubai, especially for residents looking for flexible or lower-cost accommodation. The law sets standards for how these homes operate and how many people can live in them.

The law applies to property owners who rent out units as shared housing, tenants living in those units, and companies that lease, manage, or sublease properties on behalf of owners. Labour accommodation used for workers is not included, as it is covered by separate rules.

How Shared Housing in Dubai will be Regulated

Dubai Municipality will oversee shared housing. Under the new law, it will:

  • determine how many residents can live in a unit
  • define minimum space requirements per resident
  • specify the shared facilities that must be available
  • designate areas where shared housing is allowed

These areas will be selected based on factors such as population density, infrastructure capacity, and the character of neighbourhoods.

The Dubai Land Department will maintain an electronic registry for shared housing units and connect it to Dubai Municipality’s digital system.

Permits and Housing Requirements

Under the new law, a property cannot be used for shared housing without a permit from Dubai Municipality. Units must meet the standards on occupancy limits, minimum space per resident, shared facilities, and building safety before a permit is issued. Rental contracts must also include these housing details, along with the landlord’s information.

Permits will normally be valid for one year and can be renewed for similar periods. Property owners may also request a two-year permit.

Violations of the law on shared housing may result in fines such as:

  • penalties starting from AED 500 and reaching AED 500,000 depending on the offence
  • doubled penalties for repeat violations within one year, up to AED 1 million

If you want to keep up with what’s changing in the city, Dubai has introduced several new regulations recently: Public Safety Law covering community rules and safety regulations for venues and the new law on the quality and safety of buildings across the emirate.