Introduction
With Dubai's booming tourism market, short-term subletting and holiday home rentals are thriving. However, subletting without compliance carries severe civil penalties and eviction risks.
The Golden Rule: Landlord Consent
Under Article 24 of Law No. 26 of 2007, a tenant cannot sublease all or part of a rented premises without explicit written consent from the landlord. Unauthorized subletting allows the landlord to evict both the tenant and the subtenant immediately.
Operating as a Holiday Home
To operate legally on platforms like Airbnb:
- The property must be registered with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
- The operator must hold a valid Holiday Home Permit.
- The building regulations must permit short-term hospitality operations.
Landlord Remedies for Illegal Subleasing
Landlords can file an immediate expedited eviction action at the RDSC and sue for disgorgement of profits generated by unauthorized subleasing.