According to data from the platform Property Finder, rental rates for housing in most residential communities in Dubai decreased between the third quarter of 2025 and 2026. The platform analyzed ten key residential complexes, nine of which showed a decrease in the median asking rent year-on-year.
Among the complexes where prices fell were Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Arjan, Dubai Creek Harbour, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Meydan, and Palm Jumeirah. Dubai Hills Estate was the only community where the rent remained unchanged throughout the period from Q3 2025 to Q3 2026.
Property Finder official, Head of Revenue Cherif Sleiman, reported that in September 2026, the number of apartments listed for rent daily on Property Finder was 55.1% higher than in September 2025, and tenant inquiries increased by 15.4%. Meanwhile, on average, each apartment listing received 23% fewer inquiries compared to the previous year.
In seven out of ten residential complexes, studios or one-bedroom apartments generated the most interest. In Business Bay, one-bedroom apartments accounted for 43.1% of all listings but attracted 48.7% of inquiries. Regarding villas, houses with three or four bedrooms received the highest number of inquiries in eight out of ten complexes.
The aggregate median asking rent peaked at 135,000 dirhams in December 2025, after which it gradually declined in the first half of 2026, reaching 100,000 dirhams by June. The most significant drop was recorded in Downtown Dubai, where rent fell by 21.7%, and in Dubai Marina, where the decrease was 16.1%. In Downtown Dubai, prices dropped across all apartment categories, which Sleiman stated is a true market revaluation, not just an increase in the number of smaller units.
September shows early signs of stabilization. The aggregate median asking rent slightly increased from 100,000 dirhams in August to 105,000 dirhams, and the number of inquiries per listing improved for both apartments and villas. Although one month does not form a trend, Sleiman noted that this is an encouraging sign.
Villas followed a similar but more moderate path, with eight out of ten communities recording a decrease in asking rent. Al Furjan is the only community with a clear increase, reaching 15.15%, partially explained by the appearance of more five-bedroom villas on the market. Rent for four-bedroom villas, the largest segment in terms of inquiries in that area, rose by 9.4%, while three out of five comparable villa types there showed a decrease.
Dubai Hills Estate appears stable overall, but among the six comparable villa types, five either lowered their price or maintained it. Cherif Sleiman advised tenants that now is a favorable time to compare options and negotiate. He also emphasized that for homeowners, a simple price reduction may be insufficient, as with such a large market selection, the quality of the listing, its visibility, and the speed of the homeowner's response have become more important than ever.