The Future of Monthly Rental Agreements in the UAE: Goodbye Upfront Cheques

In November 2025, the UAE saw a novel transition in the rental market. The shift to flexible, monthly rental payments has been announced, in contrast to the previous system when tenants were mandated to pay rent in one to four checks.

When upfront checks would put a great deal of financial strain on families and professionals, this is an enormous jump in how residents manage their housing bills and financial planning.

Besides, over the previous ten years, average rents jumped by 23.6%, according to sources. Based on CBRE data, average residential rents in Dubai specifically rose 21.1% year over year (until June 2024). Rents in upscale villa and luxury neighborhoods have skyrocketed as a result of strong demand and scarce availability.

But how will this narrative change impact the market in the future? Let’s take a broader look into why it’s happening, the possible motivations behind it, and the potential effects for tenants, landlords, and the industry as a whole.

Upfront Cheques and How it Works

An upfront cheque, as implemented in Dubai’s rental market, is a sizable upfront payment paid at the beginning of a lease agreement that covers several months or even the full year’s worth of rent. According to Dubai’s Law No. 26 of 2007, both parties must agree on the rent payment plan. The law defaults to four equal installments (i.e., quarterly) in the absence of an agreement.

Rent is paid with one to four postdated cheques. Many times, the number of cheques is negotiable. One postdated cheque, or a small number of cheques, paid at the beginning of the tenancy, usually covering 6 months or 12 months (full year rent). This can require a large lump sum (often AED 40,000-150,000 upfront).

Less cheques are preferred by landlords because it lowers risk and guarantees a robust cash flow. Tenants on the other hand who submit one or two cheques frequently bargain for a cheaper annual rent than those who pay with several cheques.

Monthly Rent and How it Works

In Dubai, monthly rent payments are a flexible rental payment alternative where tenants pay their rent on a monthly basis rather than the customary quarterly or annual postdated checks.

This approach generates easier cash flow with more flexibility, digital payment alternatives, and tenant-friendly agreeables when invoices are paid on a monthly basis.

Tenants use bank direct debit, online property portals, or fintech installment platforms that allow digital tenancy contracts (Ejari) to pay rent instead of receiving one to four cheques per year.

What is the Current Rental Landscape Like in Dubai?

There are indications of rental stabilization despite previous spikes such as new inventory entering the market, providing tenants with more options and somewhat slowing the rate of rent growth.

Multi-year leasing agreements are becoming more common as renters attempt to get advantageous conditions for extended durations. At the same time, lease renewals are prevalent; many tenants would rather do so than look for new agreements, perhaps in order to avoid paying raised rent or moving expenses.

Living expenses are being negatively impacted by high rents. Although a more equitable appraisal of properties is made possible by the RERA rent calculator, some landlords continue to advocate for the maximum permitted hikes (up to 20%).

Why is the UAE Moving Toward Monthly Rent Payments?

1. Digital and Tech-Related Infrastructure

Keyper’s rent-in-installment technology is being integrated into Property Finder, permitting monthly payments by card or direct debit. Launching in 2026, payment, monitoring, and reconciliation will be made simpler for both landlords and tenants with this digital-native approach. The use of postdated checks, prone to issues like bounced checks, falls by direct debit systems.

2. Tenants’ Financial Flexibility

Large upfront payments have been a mandate for tenants in the UAE, particularly in locations like Dubai. This can be extremely taxing, especially for those who get a monthly wage. Monthly payments are more in line with how the majority of individuals are compensated. This lessens the “cash shock” associated with lease renewals. A full-year pre-paid commitment is more difficult to sustain if you undergo sudden life circumstances like a job loss, in spite of budgetary limitations for some.

The “Rent Now, Pay Later” (RNPL) introduced by the Keyper platform helps divide annual rent into 12 monthly installments to improve tenants’ cash flow.

3. Risk Control for Landlords

Landlords are better equipped to control their revenue when they have predictable monthly cash flows (through digital platforms). Automated payments lessen the administrative load (fewer problems with checks, less chasing for payments). By providing organized payment methods and potentially backup payment choices, platforms like Keyper can reduce default risk.

4. Demographics are Changing

A growing number of people view the UAE, particularly Dubai, as a long-term residence rather than merely a temporary expat assignment. This change promotes more “settled” lease behavior, where long-term tenants are more drawn to flexibility and predictability than to locking in significant sums up front. In many major cities, monthly rent is the standard; in order to remain competitive, the UAE rental market is conforming to these worldwide standards.

What Potential Challenges Can We Expect?

I) For Landlords

Advantage

• More consistent monthly revenue, lower administrative expenses, and a lesser chance of checks bouncing.

Drawback

• Although platforms frequently take this into account, some landlords may be concerned about payment failures or defaults.

II) For Tenants

Advantage

• Less stress on savings, more predictable budgeting, and easier cash flow management.

Drawback

• Depending on the service, employing rent-in-instalments may result in platform costs.

III) For the Real Estate Market

Advantages

• By improving on other regulatory changes, like the Smart Rental Index, the change makes the market more data-driven and transparent.
• Better tenant retention and fewer evictions could result from predictable flows and reduced friction.
• Digital transformation promotes the continued digitization of real estate procedures, including contracts, payments, and dispute settlement.

Drawbacks:

• Not every landlord will implement these procedures right away, particularly those who are used to receiving payments via check.
• Some landlords or tenants may be suspicious of digital platforms or be concerned about costs, system malfunctions, or data privacy.
• If a renter misses a payment under a monthly agreement, stringent dispute-resolution procedures might be necessitated.

Key Points for Tenants

i) Keep an Eye on Your Budget

Be realistic about the amount of money you can set aside for rent before accepting. If a one-time payment isn’t possible, ask for additional installments.

ii) Discuss the terms of payment

Don’t just take the agent’s or landlord’s demands. Request more cheques or propose a direct debit. To strengthen your negotiating position, offer something in exchange, such as a slightly larger security deposit or proof of steady income.

iii) Recognize the Risks

Find out the legal consequences of bounced cheques and clarify what happens with handling unsuccessful payments.

iv) Archive Everything

Make sure the tenancy contract has all of your agreed-upon terms and request confirmation or receipts whenever a cheque is cashed or deposited.

Conclusion

Even if monthly payments are growing in popularity among UAE tenants, annual leases may still dominate the market. Despite considering that the approach will shortly be regulated beginning in 2026, the expansion seems possible with further bank alliances and technology backing.

However, it’s crucial to warrant that everything you agree upon is formalized with an Ejari-registered contract and explicitly stated in your lease to abstain from falling into risks.