Owner guides
The DET holiday home permit in Dubai: how it works for owners
Updated:
Dubai regulates holiday homes through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DTCM). Every unit rented out for short stays needs to be registered and permitted, and the guest's Tourism Dirham has to be collected and reported. This guide explains the framework in plain language. Rules and fees are updated by the authority, so always confirm the current requirements with DET or with us before you start.
What the permit is
A holiday home permit registers a specific unit for short-term rental with DET. It is issued per unit, renewed periodically, and comes with operating standards on safety, guest registration, classification and how the property is presented and advertised. Listing an unpermitted unit on Airbnb or Booking.com exposes the owner to fines and removal.
Two ways to be permitted
- As an individual owner operating your own unit(s) directly, within the limits DET sets for private owners
- Through a licensed holiday home operator, which registers and operates the unit under its own licence
Working with an operator means the registration, the classification inspection, the Tourism Dirham reporting and the ongoing compliance are handled for you, which is usually the reason owners choose it, especially when they live abroad.
Documents usually required
- Title deed of the unit (or the lease and landlord consent where applicable)
- Passport, Emirates ID or residence details of the owner
- A recent DEWA (utility) bill for the unit
- A no-objection letter from the building or landlord where the building requires it
- Photographs and details of the furnished unit for classification
The exact list changes over time and can differ by case; treat this as orientation rather than a checklist.
Standards you will be held to
- Fully furnished, equipped and maintained to the classification standard
- Safety equipment and building compliance
- Guest identification recorded for every stay
- Tourism Dirham collected from guests and remitted
- Accurate advertising, including the permit reference where required
Timing
Registration and classification normally take a few weeks once the documents are complete and the unit is furnished to standard. Building approvals, where needed, are the usual source of delay, so we check the building's position first.
What DUBIALEZ does
We assist with the registration and permit process, prepare the unit for classification, register every guest and handle the Tourism Dirham as part of management. Owners who commit to a minimum 12 months agreement may have eligible first-year official DET fees covered; the exact scope is confirmed in writing before you sign.
Quick answers
Can I list on Airbnb without a DET permit?
No. Short-term rental in Dubai requires the unit to be registered and permitted. Platforms and the authority act on unpermitted listings.
Who pays the Tourism Dirham?
It is a per-night charge linked to the guest's stay. DUBIALEZ calculates, collects and remits it as part of management; it is outside the management fee.
Do I need the permit if I only rent a few weeks a year?
Yes. The permit is tied to the activity, not to the number of nights. Owner stays are allowed and simply blocked in the calendar.
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