What to Do When a Landlord Refuses to Register Ejari

Welcome back. I’m Stephen, and this is Episode Nine of the ejaries.ae podcast.

We’re approaching the end of the series.

This episode covers one of the most difficult situations in the Ejaries process.

What happens when a landlord refuses to register.

This isn’t the most common issue. Most landlords either register Ejaries themselves or allow the tenant to complete the registration on their behalf.

But when it does happen, tenants often find themselves in a difficult position and need to understand what options are actually available.

How this situation arises

The usual pattern looks like this. A tenant signs the tenancy contract. Moves into the property. Then asks the landlord about the Ejaries registration.

The landlord replies that they’ll handle it later, says it isn’t necessary, or simply avoids registering without giving a clear explanation.

Time passes. Eventually the tenant needs the Ejaries certificate for DEWA, visa processing, school enrolment, or another government procedure. The certificate doesn’t exist. The tenant follows up. The conversation becomes difficult.

There are several versions of this situation. Some landlords simply don’t understand the system. Others deliberately avoid registration. Some are willing to register—but only if different details are recorded from those agreed in the tenancy contract. Each situation requires a different approach.

The unaware landlord

Sometimes the landlord genuinely doesn’t realise that registering Ejaries is their legal responsibility. This often happens with first-time individual landlords who own a single investment property and are unfamiliar with tenancy administration.

In these situations, education usually solves the problem. Explaining what Ejaries is, why it exists, and why registration matters is often enough. Many landlords are also happy for the tenant to complete the registration on their behalf while providing the required documents. The tenant pays the fee, completes the process, and the registration is finalised.

The unwilling landlord

The more difficult situation is where the landlord deliberately refuses to register. The reasons vary. Some don’t want rental income formally recorded. Some have ownership issues affecting the property. Others are renting outside the normal framework and intentionally avoid registration.

In these cases, persuasion alone is unlikely to work. The tenant’s practical options generally include:

• Registering the Ejaries themselves using the documents already available.
• Visiting an Ejaries typing centre that can assist with landlord non-cooperation.
• Filing a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre where registration cannot proceed because essential landlord documents are missing.

Depending on the available documentation, the registration may still be completed or verified through the appropriate channels.

The conditional landlord

A more dangerous variation occurs when the landlord agrees to register—but only using incorrect information. The most common example is registering a lower rent than the amount actually being paid.

This creates serious risks. If a dispute later arises, the official Ejaries record may show a different rent from what the tenant has actually paid. Although bank records may sometimes help prove the true payments, resolving that dispute can become lengthy and uncertain.

The practical advice is simple. Do not agree to inaccurate registration. Insist that the Ejaries reflects the actual tenancy agreement. If the landlord refuses, formal procedures remain available.

The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre

The Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC), operating under Dubai Land Department, hears landlord and tenant disputes including registration failures. A tenant can file a complaint requesting that the landlord be compelled to register the tenancy.

Although Ejaries registration is itself the issue being disputed, the Centre generally accepts these complaints because the failure to register is the legal breach being challenged.

In practice, tenants are usually advised to:

• Attempt registration first.
• File a complaint if registration cannot proceed.
• Allow the Centre’s process to compel compliance where appropriate.

The options become narrower—but they do not disappear.

The interim problem

While the registration issue is being resolved, the tenant may still need the Ejaries certificate for other services. DEWA connections. Visa renewals. School admissions.

Occasionally, individual authorities may accept temporary alternative documentation. However, these workarounds are discretionary, inconsistent, and should never be relied upon. The safest approach is always to complete the Ejaries registration as quickly as possible.

Preventive measures

The best solution is preventing the problem before it starts. Before signing the tenancy agreement:

• Ask who will register the Ejaries.
• Collect the landlord’s supporting documents while cooperation is easy.
• Obtain the title deed copy and identification documents.
• Complete registration promptly rather than delaying it.
• Treat landlord cooperation as an important factor when choosing between rental properties.

Good preparation often prevents much larger problems later.