More than half of tenants across the UAE pay between Dh50,000 and Dh100,000 in annual rent, while an increasing number are moving towards flexible payment plans instead of relying on the traditional post dated cheque system.
According to new data released by rent-payment platform Rently, the trend reflects changing payment preferences among residents as digital rent solutions continue to become more widely available across the country.
Mid-Range Rental Homes Remain the Most Popular
Rently’s latest data shows that 56 per cent of UAE tenants rent homes with annual lease values ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh100,000. The platform reported a median annual rent of Dh72,000 while the average annual lease value reached Dh92,000 influenced by higher-priced properties in the market.
The figures indicate that mid-range rental homes continue to account for a significant share of residential leasing across the UAE, reflecting the preferences of a large portion of tenants.
Dubai Records Strong Rental Activity
The findings come as Dubai’s rental market continues to remain active. During the first quarter of 2026, the emirate recorded Dh32.2 billion in rental contract value through 253,992 new and renewed tenancy agreements.
Data also showed that rental contract cancellations declined by 25 per cent during the same period, suggesting that many residents chose to renew their leases instead of relocating.
Flexible Rent Payments Become More Common
For many years, tenants in the UAE have commonly paid rent through one to four post-dated cheques each year. However, flexible monthly payment options are becoming increasingly popular as they allow tenants to spread rental costs into smaller instalments.
Several companies, including Keyper and Takeem, have introduced monthly payment solutions that allow tenants to pay rent using bank cards or direct debit. Property Finder has also partnered with Keyper to provide similar payment options through its platform.
In June 2026, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched its Flexi Rent initiative, allowing tenants of participating developers to choose monthly, quarterly or semi-annual payment schedules instead of the traditional cheque system.
According to the DLD, the programme currently includes 12 participating developers. Officials also clarified that the initiative does not change the total annual rent, but simply offers tenants greater flexibility in how they make payments.
Easier Budgeting for Residents
Flexible payment plans are helping many tenants better manage their monthly expenses by reducing the need to arrange large upfront payments. As more digital payment options become available, residents are increasingly choosing payment methods that offer greater convenience while maintaining the same annual rental cost.
