My Dubai landlord refuses to register Ejari — is this legal?

Yes — Ejari registration is legally required in Dubai. Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, all tenancy contracts in Dubai must be registered on the Ejari system administered by RERA. Your landlord is wrong to claim it's unnecessary.

Why Ejari matters: without Ejari registration, your tenancy contract has significantly reduced legal protection. You cannot file a RERA complaint, access the Rental Dispute Centre, renew your residency visa (which requires a registered tenancy), or connect DEWA utilities without an Ejari certificate. Your contract is also not legally enforceable in the same way.

The responsibility: landlords are primarily responsible for Ejari registration in Dubai. They cannot refuse to register. If your landlord continues to refuse, file a complaint with RERA directly — this is a clear regulatory violation.

What to do: send your landlord a formal written notice (WhatsApp is fine) stating that Ejari registration is a legal requirement under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, that you require registration to be completed within 7 days, and that you will file a RERA complaint if they fail to act. Most landlords comply immediately once they understand you know your rights. Note: you can also register Ejari yourself as a tenant using the Ejari app or at a typing centre — you'll need the landlord's signature but some processes allow tenant-initiated registration.