Can I sublet a room in my Dubai apartment and what are the rules?

Subletting in Dubai without your landlord's written consent is illegal under UAE tenancy law. Article 24 of Dubai's Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007) states that a tenant cannot sublet a property or any part of it without the landlord's written approval. If you do so without permission, your landlord can terminate your tenancy contract and pursue you for any losses. The practical reality is that many tenants do informally sublet spare rooms, but it carries real risk. If your landlord finds out — through building management, neighbours, or a visit — you have no legal standing and could face eviction. Your subtenant also has no formal protection. The right approach is to ask your landlord in writing (WhatsApp is fine — it creates a record). Some landlords agree, particularly if you've been a good tenant. If they agree, document it: get it in writing, specify the subletting duration, and make clear you remain responsible for the tenancy contract in full. Note that some buildings in Dubai also have their own community rules restricting subletting regardless of what your landlord says — it's worth checking your building's house rules too. If you're in a gated community, the master developer (e.g. Emaar, Nakheel) often has rules on occupancy that sit above the individual tenancy agreement.