Shared housing approval for landlords in Dubai
Shared housing approval for landlords: if you own an apartment, villa or building in Dubai and want to rent it as shared accommodation, we check eligibility and obtain DCD approval and the DM permit.
What we do
As the owner you apply with your title deed. We confirm your area is on the DM list, survey the property, set the legal occupancy at 5 m² per person, prepare the layout and fire safety drawings, check partitions and obtain DCD approval and the Dubai Municipality permit. If a tenant runs the shared housing, they can apply with your NOC instead.
Official sources: Dubai Municipality · Dubai Civil Defence · Khaleej Times report on the DM circular
Shared housing approval for landlords: what is included
- Eligibility: area, category and main-road rule for your property
- Legal occupancy: how many people each room can take
- Drawings: layout and DCD fire safety drawings
- Approvals: DCD approval and the DM permit
- Existing tenants: regularise by 8 September 2027
- Tenant-run: give your tenant an owner NOC and they can apply
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
Questions about shared housing approval for landlords
Do landlords need a permit to rent shared housing?
Yes, the Dubai Municipality shared accommodation permit plus Civil Defence approval, and only in the 39 allowed areas.
My tenant wants to sublet rooms. What do I need to give?
An owner NOC. With it, your tenant can apply for the permit.
Can I rent rooms to individuals and families in one unit?
No. Each unit is either individual or family housing.
What if I already rent the property as shared?
It must be regularised by 8 September 2027 under the DM circular.
Related guides