I already rent rooms: what must I do before September 2027?
An existing shared flat must regularise before 8 September 2027: check the area, fix the layout to 5 m² per person, and get DCD approval and the DM permit.
The short answer
Existing shared properties have until 8 September 2027 to regularise (Dubai Municipality circular, reported by Khaleej Times on 8 October 2026). First check the area is allowed; if not, shared use must stop. Then choose one category, individual or family, bring every bedroom to at least 5 m² per person, add any missing facilities, and get Civil Defence approval and the shared accommodation permit. Fines run from AED 500 to AED 500,000.
Official sources: Dubai Municipality · Dubai Civil Defence · Khaleej Times report on the DM circular
Existing shared flat: what you need to know
- Allowed areas only: 28 fully and 11 partly allowed areas.
- 5 m² per person: Minimum bedroom area.
- One category: Individual or family, not mixed.
- DCD and DM: Both approvals are required.
What to send us
- Title deed (owner), or tenancy contract with owner NOC (tenant)
- Emirates ID or passport
- Affection plan or site plan
- Existing drawings, if available; we can survey
- Photos of the rooms and facilities
- Trade licence, if a company owns or operates the property
Who does what
From check to permit
The order of the DCD and DM steps can vary; we confirm it for your property.
| Step | Approval route | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| Check the area and category You and us | Confirm the property is in an allowed area, and choose individual or family housing. | Allowed areas |
| Owner NOC (tenants) Owner | A tenant applies with a NOC from the owner. The owner NOC is enough; no other NOC is needed. | Tenants |
| Survey and layout drawings Structural Solutions | Rooms of at least 5 m² per person, plus kitchen, bathroom, dining, recreation and laundry. | Layout drawings |
| Structural check Structural Solutions | Partitions and any added loads are checked by our engineers. | — |
| Civil Defence (DCD) Structural Solutions → DCD | Fire and life safety approval for the shared accommodation. | DCD approval |
| Shared accommodation permit Structural Solutions → Dubai Municipality | The permit to operate the property as shared accommodation. | The permit |
How it works
How it works
1. Check
Area, category and occupancy for your property.
2. Drawings
Survey and layout drawings to the DM rules.
3. Approvals
DCD approval and the DM shared accommodation permit.
4. Operate
Rent the property as permitted shared accommodation.
Questions
More questions about existing shared flat
What if my partitions are not approved?
They are reviewed in the new layout.
Can I keep the current tenants?
Within the occupancy the rules allow.
What if my area is not allowed?
Shared use is not allowed there.
Can you start now?
Yes, send us the property details.
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