KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) on Tuesday announced a rent freeze for all properties in the emirate.
“All residential, commercial, and industrial tenancy contract renewals will be processed at 0% increase for the duration of the measure,” ADREC said in an advisory posted on its official social media channels.
The authority added that any new tenancy contract on a previously rented unit must be offered at the same rental value as the preceding contract.
In an email sent out to residents, ADREC also confirmed that the permitted annual rent hike of 5% has been updated to 0% “until further notice”.
The measure, it said, is part of the authority’s efforts to continuously enhance Abu Dhabi’s real estate market.
“We thank you for your trust and renew our commitment to continuously developing a supportive and attractive real estate ecosystem in the emirate,” ADREC told residents.
Abu Dhabi has regulated rent increases since 2006, when it introduced a 7% cap that was later reduced to 5%.
Alongside such measures, the emirate has sought to boost transparency and market efficiency through regulatory reforms, including the launch of its first official rental index in 2024. The index was designed to provide tenants and landlords with a reliable benchmark for rental values across Abu Dhabi.