Dubai Freehold Rental Pace Continues Towards New Record

DUBAI, UAE: The pace of new and renewed rental contracts recorded in Dubai’s freehold areas continues to increase as the property market moves steadily towards an all-time record in 2026.

A market analysis from fäm Properties today shows that 39,645 rental contracts were registered across Dubai’s freehold areas in August, a 3.79% MoM increase. The volume of new contracts climbed 19.4% YoY to 20,611, while renewals increase by 4.4% YoY to 19,034.

This takes the total number of freehold rental contracts recorded for the first eight months in 2026 to 257,284, a 5.5% increase on the same period in 2025 which ultimately set a full-year record of 377,944 registered contracts.

To date this year, the leading area of Dubai in freehold rentals is Al Warsan First, with a total of 23,894 registered tenancy contracts. Underlining a consistent apartments preference in the market, 105,880 (41%) tenancy contracts registered were for one-bedroom units.

Dubai Property Sales Reach $7.79 Billion in August

Meanwhile, Data from DXBinteract shows that the market delivered 12,018 sales transactions valued at $7.79 billion (AED28.6 billion) last month. Once again off plan sales dominated with 8,359 transactions worth $4.44 billion (AED16.3 billion) compared with 3,659 valued at $3.38 billion (AED12.4 billion) in the resale market.

For a sixth consecutive month, Dubai South was the emirate’s best-performing area in primary market sales volume, recording 1,908 off-plan transactions worth $626.3 million (AED2.3 billion).

“The rental market is an important indicator of how committed people are to living and working in Dubai, regardless of regional uncertainties over the last months,” said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties. “The volume of new contracts in part reflects the fact that tenants are moving to take advantage of lower rents in some areas, which is natural in the circumstances.”

August recorded 9,974 apartment sales worth $4.28 billion (AED15.7 billion), alongside 1,354 villa sales worth $2.15 billion (AED7.9 billion), 183 plot sales valued at $708 million (AED2.6 billion), and 420 commercial transactions, including offices and shops, worth $408.4 million (AED1.5 billion).

The most expensive apartment sold in August went for $23.42 million (AED86 million) at The Address, Jumeirah Gate Tower 2 at Jumeirah Beach, while the most expensive villa fetched $29.95 million (AED110 million) at Signature Villas.

With properties worth more than $1.36 million (AED5 million) accounting for 5.7% of sales, 7.25% were between $816,882-$1.36 million (AED3-5 million), 10.9% between $544,588-$816,882 (AED2-3 million), 33.2% between $272,294-$544,588 (AED1-2 million) and 42.8% were below $272,294 (AED1 million).

Dubai South Leads Off-Plan Sales

Dubai South led Dubai’s off-plan market in August with 1,908 transactions worth $626.3 million (AED2.3 billion).

Wadi Al Safa 4 followed with 863 transactions valued at $228.4 million (AED839 million), while Jebel Ali recorded 644 transactions worth $183.6 million (AED674.1 million).

Al Barsha South Fourth registered 419 transactions valued at $144.7 million (AED531.5 million), while Wadi Al Safa 3 recorded 335 transactions worth $113.6 million (AED417.1 million).

Best-Selling Projects During August

In the primary apartment market, Azizi Venice 15 Building B recorded 344 transactions with a total value of $77.1 million (AED283.3 million) and a median price of $191,600 (AED703.6K).

For primary market villas, Al Yufrah 1 recorded 156 transactions worth $240.9 million (AED884.7 million), with a median price of $1.52 million (AED5.6 million).

In the resale apartment market, Qasr Sabah 1 recorded 27 transactions valued at $3.49 million (AED12.8 million), with a median price of $117,800 (AED432.7K).

For resale villas, Damac Lagoons - Portofino recorded 14 transactions worth $16.17 million (AED59.4 million), with a median price of $762,400 (AED2.8 million).

One-Bedroom Units Lead Rental Contracts

One-bedroom units accounted for the largest share of rental agreements registered to date in 2026, with 105,880 contracts, or 41% of the total.

Two-bedroom properties accounted for 59,420 contracts, or 23%, while studios represented 55,336 contracts, or 22%.

Three-bedroom properties recorded 25,507 contracts, or 10%, while four-bedroom units accounted for 8,625 contracts, or 3%.

Al Warsan First Leads Dubai Rental Activity

Al Warsan First ranked as the leading freehold area for rental contracts registered to date in 2026, with 23,894 contracts.

Jebel Ali First followed with 21,687, ahead of Al Barsha South Fourth with 20,607 and Business Bay with 16,637.

Nadd Hessa recorded 13,871 contracts, followed by Marsa Dubai with 13,692, Al Thanyah Fifth with 10,758, Al Barsha South Third with 8,862, Dubai Investment Park First with 8,755, and Wadi Al Safa 5 with 8,737.