What Dubai apartment owners should know before legally listing a holiday home — and how a licensed operator handles it for you.
Yes — provided the unit is registered with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DTCM) and operated under a valid holiday home permit. Listing on Airbnb, Booking.com, or any nightly platform without a permit is not allowed.
Holiday homes in Dubai are regulated by DET. Owners can either obtain an owner permit themselves or appoint a licensed holiday home operator (like Arami VHR) to register and operate the unit under the operator's company licence. Most apartment owners choose the operator route because it removes the paperwork, tourism fee filings, and ongoing compliance burden.
Some buildings and master communities have specific rules for short-term rentals. Before committing, check the building's house rules and any community guidelines. A reputable operator will confirm this with you up front.
Exact requirements change over time, but typical documents include the title deed, Ejari or proof of ownership, owner ID/passport, and a signed authorisation if a management company is registering on your behalf.
A licensed holiday home operator typically takes care of DET registration, Tourism Dirham collection and remittance, listing creation, dynamic pricing, guest management, housekeeping, maintenance, and reporting — so the owner only needs to receive payouts and statements.
We regularly see avoidable issues from owners who tried to manage compliance alone or worked with an unlicensed operator.
Regulations change. Owners should always confirm current requirements directly with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or with their licensed operator before listing. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Yes. Any nightly or short-term rental in Dubai must be registered with DET under a valid holiday home permit. Listing without one is not allowed.
Both options exist. Most apartment owners use a licensed operator like Arami VHR because it removes the paperwork, tourism fee filings, and ongoing compliance work.
Always check the building and community house rules. Some towers have specific policies for short-term rentals.
Timelines vary. A licensed operator with documents in hand can usually move quickly. Speak to our team for a current estimate for your building.