Shared housing is a popular and often practical choice for newcomers settling into the UAE, across the vibrant cities of Dubai, the cultural heart of Sharjah, and the capital city of Abu Dhabi. However, each emirate has its own set of regulations governing shared accommodation, making it essential to understand these legal frameworks to ensure a smooth and compliant living arrangement.
At Remitly, we recognise that navigating the legal landscape of a new country can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this guide to explain the key regulations across different emirates, covering aspects like obtaining landlord approval and adhering to occupancy limits. This way you’ll have the necessary information to make informed decisions and ensure your shared living situation complies with local laws.
Moving to the UAE often means looking at different ways to make city living work for you, and shared accommodation is a common setup. All it means is that a few people live in the same flat, villa, or part of a larger home.
Splitting rent and bills is a way to make life more affordable, particularly if you’re new to cities like Abu Dhabi or Dubai. While it might sound similar to co-living you’re familiar with, it’s worth knowing that the local building regulations and property laws can differ quite a bit between each of the emirates. So, before you commit to a move, it’s always a good idea to check how many people the owner or landlord permits in a single place.
Sharing accommodation in the UAE is a cost-effective way to start your life in the UAE, connect with new people, and ease into your surroundings.
Choosing to share a home in the UAE can bring some useful advantages, especially when you’re just finding your feet. Firstly, it can make a big difference to your monthly outgoings, particularly if you’re looking at a sought-after neighbourhood.
Shared living is also a fantastic way to make friends if you’ve recently arrived in the Emirates. Having housemates can help you create a support network. Another benefit is that you might find yourself splitting certain living costs, helping with shared essentials, or even just having more hands to make things easier.
Remember to be sure that your living arrangement is properly authorised by the property owner so that you can enjoy all the benefits without any unexpected surprises.
What you need to know about housing rules in the UAE
While sharing accommodation can come with plenty of benefits, each emirate has slightly different processes, so it’s worth getting familiar with how things work in your area. For example, Dubai uses the Ejari system to register tenancy contracts, Abu Dhabi uses Tawtheeq, and Sharjah has its own municipal rules.
Sub-letting and cohabitation
If you plan to live with roommates or family members not listed on the lease, you’ll usually need to get the landlord’s written approval. In Dubai, this is backed by rental law, and in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, similar rules apply.
The UAE has become more flexible about cohabitation in recent years, for instance unmarried couples can now legally live together. But your landlord or building management may still set their own limits on who can live in the property or how many people can share a space. Always check your tenancy agreement and have an open chat with your landlord if you’re unsure.
Landlord approval requirements
Getting permission from your landlord helps you avoid potential legal issues. Some landlords set limits on how many people can stay in a property or even per room, based on comfort and building safety standards.
What’s considered “too many people” can vary depending on the emirate or the building, so it’s best to ask upfront. Double-check your lease for any clauses about guests, long-term occupants, or subletting to avoid any unexpected problems.
Ejari and Tawtheeq registration
If you’re renting in the UAE, one of the first things to do is register your tenancy contract. In Dubai, this process is done through Ejari, an online system managed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). Registering your contract with Ejari is essential for setting up DEWA (water and electricity), Wi-Fi, applying for a residence visa, or even resolving disputes through the Rental Dispute Centre.
In Abu Dhabi, the equivalent system is called Tawtheeq, managed by the Department of Municipalities and Transport. Just like Ejari, Tawtheeq ensures your tenancy is officially recorded and gives you access to government services, utilities, and legal protections. Many landlords or real estate agents will handle this for you, but it’s always good to confirm it’s been completed, as unregistered contracts can cause delays with visa paperwork or utilities.
In some emirates, you may also be required to register the names of all co-occupants, including family members and flatmates, especially in shared accommodation. This rule is in place to ensure safety, prevent overcrowding, and maintain transparency with building management and authorities. Co-occupant registration is typically done through the same online portals and needs to be updated if anyone moves in or out.
Staying on the right side of UAE housing rules
Sharing a home with others is common across the UAE, but it’s important to make sure your living arrangements follow the local rules to avoid misunderstandings with landlords or building management.
What to know about space and occupancy limits
There are usually guidelines about how many people can live in a flat or villa, depending on the number of bedrooms or the overall size of the property. These rules are in place to avoid overcrowding, which can affect safety, hygiene, and comfort.
In places like Dubai, authorities can issue fines if a property is found to be over capacity, especially if it breaks fire safety or health standards. As a newcomer looking for somewhere to rent, it may be worth familiarising yourself with these limits to make sure your arrangement stays within the rules, especially if anyone new moves in.
What happens if you break the rules
If your living setup doesn’t follow the rules, it could lead to fines, eviction, or even problems renting in the future. For example, if you sublet your space without getting your landlord’s written permission, they can legally cancel your tenancy contract.
In more serious situations, building management may report the issue to local authorities, and that can make it harder to find housing later on. To avoid any hassle, it’s best to stick to what’s outlined in your lease and keep your rental registration and occupant details up to date.
Once you’ve ticked off the legal requirements like Ejari or Tawtheeq registration, it’s time to focus on creating a comfortable living space. In the UAE, where people from all over the world live side by side, shared housing is common, especially in popular areas like Dubai Marina, Al Nahda, or Khalidiya in Abu Dhabi.
Getting to know your housemates
Before agreeing to live with someone, take the time to learn a bit about them. Ask about their work schedule (many people in the UAE do shift work), whether they’ve rented in the region before, and how they prefer to handle shared spaces.
You can also request a copy of their Emirates ID and ask for a reference from a previous landlord if they’ve rented locally. This is especially useful in cities like Dubai and Sharjah, where high turnover is common and it’s helpful to know who you’re sharing your home with.
With different cultures, routines, and expectations under one roof, open communication is key. A little effort up front can help avoid misunderstandings and keep your home feeling like a peaceful retreat after a busy day in the city.
Setting house rules that suit the UAE lifestyle
You’ll find that it’s useful to agree on things like quiet hours, shared expenses, and visitor policies from the start of your tenancy. Some residential buildings even have rules of their own. For example, in some buildings, overnight guests must be registered, and noise complaints can lead to fines from building management.
It’s also smart to agree on how to split utilities like DEWA, SEWA or ADDC, and how to share things like internet costs or cleaning supplies. You can even jot down a few basic rules and reminders that help keep things running smoothly.
Useful resources to guide your housing journey
If you’re new to the UAE, navigating housing rules can feel overwhelming but there are reliable resources to help you get it right. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) and RERA offer official information on tenancy laws, subletting, and your rights as a renter in Dubai.
In Sharjah, the municipality website is the place to go for guidance on occupancy limits and building regulations. For example, if you’re unsure about your situation, subletting a room, or sharing with several others, it’s worth speaking with a licensed real estate adviser to avoid any legal missteps.
Whether you’re new to the country or just trying to save a bit more each month, co-living can help you save on expenses.
Budgeting tips
Begin by working out the monthly essentials like rent, electricity, water, Wi-Fi, and perhaps a small emergency fund in case the air conditioning breaks down mid-summer. If you’re moving into a furnished home, check what’s already included. Some apartments cover air conditioning costs which can make a big difference.
A popular approach is to set up a shared expense tracker or money pool using local banking apps or expense-splitting tools like Splitwise or Tricount. This way, everyone contributes fairly and sees exactly where their money is going, helping avoid awkward chats about who owes what.
For day-to-day living costs like groceries, cleaning supplies, or even streaming services, it’s best to decide early on how you’ll handle things. Some housemates prefer to shop individually, while others set up a weekly budget and take turns or pool money into a pot.
If you choose the shared route, keep things transparent by noting down purchases or creating a WhatsApp group for receipts and reminders. This simple habit goes a long way in keeping things fair and making sure no one ends up buying dish soap three times in a row.
FAQs
What are the accommodation rules in the UAE?
Rules vary by emirate, but the basics are similar. You need a valid tenancy contract and, in many cases, you must register all co-occupants. In Dubai, this is done through Ejari; in Abu Dhabi, via Tawtheeq. Subletting without your landlord’s written approval or exceeding occupancy limits can result in fines or even eviction.
Is sharing accommodation legal in Dubai?
Yes, shared accommodation is legal as long as you follow local rental laws. This includes getting landlord permission for subletting or additional flatmates, and respecting municipality-defined occupancy limits.
Is co-living legal in Dubai?
Yes, coliving is permitted when done within the legal framework. You’ll need owner approval, your lease registered through Ejari, and a living setup that follows occupancy and safety rules. Unmarried couples are also legally allowed to live together under recent personal status law changes, though building management may still have specific policies.
Start by agreeing on how to split regular costs like DEWA/SEWA/ADDC bills, Wi-Fi, and cleaning supplies. Setting up a monthly money pool or a shared spreadsheet can help keep things fair and transparent.