If you want to rent out your apartment in Dubai on a short-term basis (holiday-home / short-let), here’s a step-by-step guide plus how to pick a good manager.
Short-term rentals (holiday-home, vacation-home, short-let) are allowed — but only if the unit is properly registered with DET and has a valid permit.
You must apply via the DET “Holiday Homes” portal: add the unit, submit required documents (title deed or tenancy agreement + NOC if tenant, DEWA bill if required, ID/passport, etc.).
Once approved, DET issues a “unit permit” that must be displayed if you list the property.
Only eligible properties: apartments or villas (not hotel-room or prohibited categories) in buildings/areas that allow holiday-homes.
The unit must be fully furnished, meet safety and hospitality standards (fire alarms, guest-info log, furnishings, amenities etc.), and comply with building/community rules.
For each unit, you need a separate permit. If you plan to manage many units (or rent on behalf of others), you may need a trade or operator licence.
Renew your permit as needed.
Collect and remit any required tourism fees (e.g. “Tourism Dirham”) if applicable, guest-listing/logging requirements, and maintain insurance/standard of care.
Furnish the apartment, add amenities, make sure your listing photos are high quality, and set competitive pricing based on demand, seasonality, and area.
Popular high-demand areas tend to include central or prime locations (e.g. Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm-type areas) where tourist or short-stay demand is higher.
If you don’t want to manage the property yourself — e.g. dealing with bookings, guest check-ins, cleaning, maintenance, compliance — it often makes sense to partner with a professional company. Some of the better-known options in Dubai:
Full-service short-let management: from regulatory registration, listing, pricing, guest communication, maintenance, to furnishing/fit-out and interior design. Claims high occupancy rates and full 360° service.
Experienced Dubai-based short-let manager managing hundreds of properties. Good for owners wanting professional, reliable service.
Listed among top property-management companies for occupancy and tailored services.
More modern/dynamic: focusing on revenue optimisation and newer properties — may suit owners seeking a tech-driven approach.
Specialises in short-term rentals; provides full property management including bookings, cleaning, maintenance.
Confirm they are licensed / registered under DET to operate short-term rentals. A legitimate company will handle licensing on your behalf.
Ask about their fee structure (management fee, cleaning fee, commission on bookings). Many companies charge a percentage of rental income; typical range might be 15–30%.
What services are included: marketing/listing creation, guest communication, cleaning and maintenance, check-in/out, furnishing, compliance and permit renewals. Full-service companies tend to save you more time and stress.
Review their track record: how many properties they manage, occupancy rates, guest reviews, responsiveness.
Transparency and communication: make sure they provide clear contracts, regular income/expense reporting, and allow personal usage of your apartment (if you want it).
If you want full hands-off service, go for a company like AirDXB or Frank Porter — they already handle all steps, from licensing to guest turnover.
If you prefer a lighter-touch manager (e.g. just listing and bookings, but you handle cleaning/maintenance), companies like Silkhaus or KeysPlease may suit you better.
Always check whether your building/community permits holiday-home rentals — some buildings or lease agreements prohibit short-let.
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