Dubai recorded 67,100 residential rental registrations in September, the highest monthly total of 2026, while Property Finder data shows growing rental enquiries and stronger mortgage activity.
October 15, 2026 | Palak Kataria | UAE | Real Estate | 3 Min Read
Image Courtesy: Property Finder
Dubai's residential rental market recorded its highest monthly registration total of 2026 in September, with 67,100 residential rental contracts, according to the latest analysis from Property Finder.
The increase reflects continued activity across the emirate's rental market, supported by rising property enquiries and stronger demand for homes across different budgets and property types.
The findings also highlight improving buyer interest and a notable increase in mortgage activity, pointing to sustained engagement across Dubai's wider residential property sector.
According to Property Finder, Dubai registered approximately 96,000 Ejari contracts during September, covering both residential and commercial properties. This represented a 15.8% increase compared with August.
New residential rental contracts, excluding renewals, reached 31,200, recording an 18.1% month-on-month increase.
The rise was stronger than the seasonal increases recorded in September 2025 and September 2024, suggesting that rental activity was supported by factors beyond the usual seasonal pattern.
Property Finder also reported a 19.5% monthly increase in UAE residential rental enquiries.
Compared with February, rental enquiries were 53% higher, reaching their strongest level of the year.
Apartment enquiries increased 57% over the same period, while interest in villas and townhouses rose 36%.
One-bedroom apartments recorded particularly strong enquiry growth, increasing 64% compared with February.
The report also identified renewed interest in residential property purchases.
UAE residential sales enquiries increased 17% in September, marking the second consecutive month of growth.
Interest in secondary-market properties rose 17.5%, while primary-market enquiries increased 9.1%.
Dubai recorded AED 29.4 billion in property sales during September, representing a 3.1% increase compared with August.
Mortgage activity showed even stronger momentum.
The value of mortgages registered with the Dubai Land Department increased 43.6% to AED 9.72 billion, while the number of mortgages rose 14.4% to 3,622.
Both figures represented quarterly highs.
Property Finder's Mortgage Finder data also revealed changing buyer preferences.
According to Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, buyers purchasing homes for their own use accounted for 92.6% of mortgage activity, compared with 87.2% in July.
The proportion of applicants earning AED 60,000 or more per month increased from 27.5% to 32.8%.
Villas and townhouses also gained a larger share of mortgage applications, rising from approximately 30% to 34.4%.
Meanwhile, 31% of Dubai apartment sales involved a mortgage in September, compared with 20.3% in July.
The latest figures highlight continued engagement from both renters and prospective homeowners.
Rising rental registrations demonstrate ongoing leasing activity, while stronger enquiries suggest that interest in residential properties remains broad-based.
The increase in mortgage financing also points to a growing role for buyers seeking homes for personal use.
As Dubai's residential market evolves, rental demand, buyer preferences and financing activity will remain important indicators of its direction.
Sources: Property Finder, Dubai Residential Rental Market Analysis, October 14, 2026; Dubai Land Department data cited by Property Finder
