Brief to keys
How to rent a warehouse in Dubai, step by step
10 steps from the first brief to the day you get the keys — who does each one, what to bring, and what the authorities charge.
- 1–3FindBrief, shortlist, viewings and checks
- 4–5AgreeOffer, terms, contract and the first payment
- 6–8RegisterEjari, DEWA and your trade licence
- 9–10Move inFit-out approvals, handover and the keys
Fees and timings as the authorities publish them, each linked · checked 4 Oct 2026
Find
- 1
Your brief
Size, area, clear height, power, activity, budget and move-in date — sent once, by WhatsApp, phone or the form.
WhoYou
- 2
Shortlist and viewings
Units that fit, including ones that are not advertised, each with its specs and first-year cost. We arrange the viewings and are there for each one.
WhoUs
- 3
The ten checks
Run the checks on the unit you like, and see the title deed — or the owner’s power of attorney, and their written consent to sub-let if the person letting it is a tenant.
WhoYou, with us
The ten checks, with what to askSource: Dubai Law 26 of 2007
Agree
- 4
Offer and terms
Rent, number of cheques, start date, any rent-free or fit-out period, and what the landlord repairs first. Agree it in writing before any money changes hands.
WhoYou and the landlord; we negotiate
- 5
Contract and first payment
Sign the tenancy contract — in Dubai, DLD’s Unified Tenancy Contract — and pay the first cheque, 5% VAT on the rent, the security deposit (returned at the end) and the agency fee; on DREC land, its sub-lease fee too.
- Who
- You and the landlord
- Bring
- Trade licence
- Passport and Emirates ID of the signatory
- Rent and deposit cheques
Source: DLD Unified Tenancy Contract · Dubai Law 26 of 2007 · FTA
Register
- 6
Ejari
Register the contract on Ejari. You need the Ejari number to connect DEWA, to licence the premises and to bring a rent dispute.
- Who
- The landlord or their property manager, in the Dubai REST app — or you, at a real estate services trustee centre
- Cost
- AED 177.75 in the app · AED 220 at a trustee centre
- Time
- About 25 minutes at a trustee centre
- Bring
- The signed contract
- Emirates ID of the applicant
- Power of attorney, if applying for someone else
Source: DLD Ejari service · DLD tenancy guide
- 7
Electricity and water
Apply to DEWA online to switch the supply to your name. For business premises the refundable deposit is set from the expected consumption.
- Who
- You, on DEWA’s website or app
- Cost
- Deposit set by DEWA · connection AED 125 (small meter) or AED 300 (large), plus AED 30
- Time
- Supply within 15 working hours of payment
Source: DEWA
- 8
Trade licence at this address
Licence the business at this address with the Department of Economy and Tourism. In Dubai the lease must be registered on Ejari, and no licence is issued or renewed without a valid Civil Defence certificate.
WhoYou, or your PRO
Source: u.ae · DET · Dubai Law 4 of 2025
Move in
- 9
Fit-out approvals
Only if you change the spaceThe landlord’s written permission first. A fit-out of a unit over 100 m² needs a Dubai Municipality permit, applied for by an approved contractor, and Civil Defence approves the fire and life safety. In Dubai Industrial City the permit comes from the Dubai Development Authority.
WhoYour contractor, with the landlord’s consent
Source: Dubai Law 26 of 2007 · Administrative Resolution 85 of 2019 · Dubai Law 4 of 2025 · Dubai Development Authority
- 10
Handover and keys
Walk the unit with the landlord’s side. Photograph the floor, roof, doors and fire systems, note the meter readings and anything still to fix, and both sign it. You hand the unit back as you received it, ordinary wear and tear aside — this record is what protects your deposit.
WhoYou and the landlord
Source: Dubai Law 26 of 2007
Questions
Ejari, DEWA and the licence
How much does Ejari cost for a warehouse?
Registering a tenancy contract costs AED 177.75 in the Dubai REST app or AED 220 at a real estate services trustee centre, where it takes about 25 minutes. You need the signed contract, the applicant’s Emirates ID and, if they apply for someone else, a power of attorney.
Do I need Ejari before DEWA and the trade licence?
Yes. In Dubai you need the Ejari number to connect DEWA, to licence the premises with the Department of Economy and Tourism, and to bring a rent dispute.
How much is the DEWA deposit for a warehouse?
For business premises DEWA sets the deposit from the expected consumption rather than a fixed amount, and it is refundable. Connection costs AED 125 for a small meter or AED 300 for a large one, plus AED 30 in fees, and the supply is on within 15 working hours of payment.
Talk to a broker
Start with step 1. We’ll see you through to the keys.
Size, area, power, height, budget and move-in date — send it once. We shortlist, arrange the viewings, negotiate and stay with you to Ejari and the handover.