In the UAE, short-term rental is for a short period, typically ranging from a few days to several months. Holiday homes in Dubai are fully furnished residential properties rented out for short periods. These homes cater to tourists, business travelers, and temporary residents seeking comfortable and flexible accommodation options in the city. Professionals visiting for conferences, meetings, or short-term projects often prefer holiday homes for their convenience and home-like environment, offering more space and amenities than typical hotel rooms. Additionally, individuals or families relocating to Dubai, undergoing home renovations, or needing interim housing find holiday homes a practical solution. Several properties are available as holiday homes, including apartments, villas, and serviced apartments.

According to [Article 24 of Law No.26 of 2007](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation Reference/2007/Law No. (26) of 2007 Regarding regulation between the lessor and the lessee.pdf), unless otherwise specified in the tenancy agreement, the tenant must gain written permission from the landlord before sub-leasing the property.

Further, Article 25 states that failing to obtain written permission from a landlord before subleasing a property is a ground for eviction. In such a case, the subtenant is liable for eviction, and the tenant is responsible for compensating the subtenant. To sum it up, tenants are not permitted to sub-let a property without the landlord's consent unless it is specifically provided for in the tenancy agreement. If you sub-let a property without obtaining the landlord's permission, they have the legal right to evict you as the tenant—along with your sub-tenants—from the property, regardless of the expiration date of your contract. Also, your sub-tenant can pursue a compensation claim against you.

In the UAE, there is currently no strict nationwide limit on the maximum permissible stay for short-term rentals. However, certain local jurisdictions have defined their regulations. For example, Dubai allows short-term rentals for few days to several months, provided the property has the appropriate holiday home license. Generally, the length of stay may vary based on the type of accommodation and whether the property complies with the local holiday home licensing standards.

The UAE regulates short-term rentals at the emirate level, with a foundational federal framework. Key aspects:

• Federal Framework: Broader property and tourism laws provide the base.
• Emirate-Specific Regulations:
  • Dubai (DTCM): Requires permits, with different categories for homeowners and multi-property managers. Collects "Tourism Dirham" fee (varies by property type).
  • Abu Dhabi (DCT): Requires registration and licenses. Properties must meet DCT standards. Collects a 6% tourism fee.
• General Compliance (Across Emirates):
  • Property standards (safety, quality, amenities, building regulations).
  • Guest registration (ID copies).
  • Honest advertising (including permit numbers on listings).
• Penalties: Can include fines (e.g., up to AED 100,000 in Abu Dhabi for operating without permits) and activity suspension.

Hosts should obtain permits, stay updated on regulations, and maintain compliance.

In the UAE, hosts must register their properties and obtain a holiday home license, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For instance, in Dubai, apartments and villas for short term rentals must be registered and approved by DET prior to listing. Then, you are required to issue a DTCM permit for the property you manage before you start operating the units.

Procedure to Get a Permit

The procedures differ from the annual rentals. A short term rental of your property in Dubai needs a permit from DTCM, not Ejari. It’s also known as a license for vacation home rental in Dubai.

This process is done before starting to lease your property. Here are the steps you should follow for registration on the DTCM website to get the permit:

• Go to the “Holiday Homes” section on the DTCM website and sign up as a “Homeowner”.
• Afterwards, upload a copy of your Emirates ID or passport and fill out the document with the needed information.
• Then you should pay the individual operator fee (mentioned below).
• Now that you’ve registered, you can apply for a necessary permit for your unit.
• Now you can upload your:
  • Property’s Title Deed
  • DEWA (including your full name).

Currently, there is no dedicated national association specifically for short-term rentals in the UAE. However, short-term rental operators may find support and resources through the UAE's tourism boards, such as Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). These departments provide guidelines, licensing information, and assistance to STR operators.