Rent Affordability Calculator — Dubai
Salary, cheques, housing fee, commission: the whole cost of a lease.
How it is calculated
The classic rule is housing at 30% of take-home. In Dubai the lease also carries a 5% housing fee billed monthly through DEWA, a 5% agency commission and a 5% security deposit — so year one costs about 15% more than the rent.
Fewer cheques usually mean a lower rent but a bigger cash hit. One cheque can be 5–8% cheaper than four; the calculator shows what each cheque has to be.
Salary advances to cover a rent cheque are how the treadmill starts. If a cheque needs an advance, the rent is too high for the cheque count.
Want this every month, automatically? Masrofna tracks your salary, cards and goals in AED — free to start.
Open the app →Common questions
What is the Dubai housing fee?
5% of the annual rent, added to your DEWA bill in twelve monthly instalments. Tenants pay it; many forget it when budgeting.
Can I pay rent monthly in Dubai?
Some landlords and most managed buildings accept 12 cheques or monthly transfers, usually at a higher rent. Existing leases can't be changed mid-term without the landlord's consent.
What is the Ejari fee?
Around 220 AED for registration; renewal is similar. Small, but it's part of year-one cash.