Dubai rentals keep record pace as ten-month contracts reach 339,557

Dubai’s real estate market recorded another strong month of rental activity in October to stay on course for a new annual record, according to a new market analysis from fäm Properties.

Dubai’s freehold areas recorded 44,841 rental contracts in October. New tenancy agreements increased by 3.8 per cent year on year to 21,987, while renewals edged up 0.5 per cent to 22,854.

The October figures bring freehold rental registrations for the first ten months of 2026 to 339,557, 6.8 per cent ahead of the same period last year. With two months remaining, Dubai is firmly positioned to surpass the annual record of 377,976 contracts set in 2025.

One-bedroom homes lead, Al Warsan First tops the table

Al Warsan First was Dubai’s most active freehold rental location in the first ten months of 2026, with more than 29,700 tenancy contracts. One-bedroom apartments continued to represent the largest share of rental activity, accounting for 138,836 contracts, or 41 per cent of the total.

Top ten freehold areas by rental contracts registered in 2026 to date

Source: fäm Properties.

“The rental figures show that demand for homes in Dubai continues to hold up well, with new contracts and renewals both increasing year-on-year.” Firas Al Msaddi, CEO, fäm Properties

October sales: AED 35.01 billion

On the sales side, data from DXBinteract shows that the market delivered 11,974 sales transactions valued at AED 35.01 billion in October, an 18 per cent month-on-month increase in value and up 5.4 per cent month on month in volume.

Off-plan purchases continued to account for the larger share of activity, with 7,609 transactions worth AED 19.2 billion, against 4,289 resale transactions valued at AED 15.6 billion.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, said: “The rental figures show that demand for homes in Dubai continues to hold up well, with new contracts and renewals both increasing year-on-year. At the same time, the continued preference for off-plan purchases reflects buyers’ confidence in the market’s longer-term prospects.”

Villa and plot sales climb

October recorded 8,888 apartment sales worth AED 15.5 billion and 1,356 villa sales worth AED 9.1 billion, a 62 per cent month-on-month increase in villa volume. Plot sales rose 92.7 per cent month on month to 449, valued at AED 5.9 billion, and townhouse sales rose 8 per cent to 649, worth AED 2 billion. There were also 540 commercial transactions, including offices and shops, worth AED 2.3 billion.

The most expensive apartment sold in October went for AED 58 million at Silena Building B, Dubai Islands, while the most expensive villa fetched AED 97 million at Eden Hills.

Almost two-thirds of homes sold below AED 2 million

Properties priced below AED 2 million accounted for almost two-thirds of October sales:

• Below AED 1 million: 30.6 per cent
• AED 1 million to AED 2 million: 33.1 per cent
• AED 2 million to AED 3 million: 14.7 per cent
• AED 3 million to AED 5 million: 11 per cent
• Above AED 5 million: 10.4 per cent

Dubai South leads off-plan sales for an eighth month

Dubai South maintained its position as the leading location for off-plan sales for an eighth consecutive month, with 720 transactions valued at AED 894.6 million.

Top five areas for off-plan sales, October 2026

Best-selling projects, October 2026