Dubai rentals on track for a record year: what October’s numbers mean
Dubai’s rental market shows no sign of slowing. October added another strong month of tenancy registrations, putting the city on course for a new annual record, while sales picked up month on month and off-plan homes kept the larger share of activity.
Rentals: heading for a record year
- 44,841 rental contracts registered in Dubai’s freehold areas in October
- New tenancies up 3.8% year on year to 21,987, with renewals up 0.5% to 22,854
- 339,557 contracts so far in 2026, up 6.8%, with two months still to go before passing 2025’s record of 377,976
- One-bedroom apartments make up 41% of all rental contracts this year
Growth in new tenancies, not just renewals, matters here. It points to people continuing to arrive in Dubai and move within it, which supports occupancy and rental income for owners.
Sales: a stronger October
October recorded 11,974 sales worth AED 35.01 billion, up 18% in value and 5.4% in volume on September. Off-plan led with 7,609 deals worth AED 19.2 billion, against 4,289 resales worth AED 15.6 billion.
Villas stood out, with 1,356 sales, up 62% on the month, while plot sales almost doubled. At the top end, the priciest apartment sold for AED 58 million on Dubai Islands and the priciest villa for AED 97 million at Eden Hills.
Where the off-plan buyers went
Dubai South led off-plan sales for an eighth month running. The top five areas in October:
| Area | Sales | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai South | 720 | AED 894.6M |
| Al Rowaiyah First | 639 | AED 3.2B |
| Al Barsha South Fourth | 449 | AED 542.9M |
| Wadi Al Safa 3 | 435 | AED 730.7M |
| Wadi Al Safa 5 | 339 | AED 344.8M |
The best-selling new projects were both from Binghatti: Binghatti Skyterraces among apartments, with 207 sales at a median of AED 1.1 million, and Tilal Binghatti among villas, with 336 sales at a median of AED 1.5 million.
Most of the market sits below AED 2 million
Almost two-thirds of October’s sales were priced under AED 2 million: 30.6% below AED 1 million and 33.1% between AED 1 million and AED 2 million. Around 10% of deals were above AED 5 million.
On the rental side, Al Warsan First has been the busiest freehold area this year, with close to 30,000 contracts, followed by Al Barsha South Fourth and Jebel Ali First. Business Bay ranks fourth, a reminder of how deep tenant demand runs in central, well-connected districts.
What this means for buyers and investors
- Rental demand supports the investment case. Record leasing activity and rising new tenancies help keep homes occupied and income steady.
- One-bedroom units rent the most. If yield is your priority, they remain the most liquid unit type to lease.
- Family homes are gaining momentum. Strong villa and townhouse sales suggest long-term, end-user demand for space.
- Think about where tenants want to live. Central hubs like Business Bay pair rental depth with lifestyle appeal.
Looking for a home or an income-producing investment? Browse our off-plan projects or speak to a REimagine Property advisor.
Source: fäm Properties market analysis and DXBinteract data for October 2026, as published by News of Bahrain, 11 November 2026.