The recent announcement from Abu Dhabi introducing a 0 per cent rental increase cap has brought significant relief to many, though it has also sparked confusion regarding timing. Authorities have clarified that this policy, which covers residential, commercial, and industrial properties, is not retroactive. This means that if you renewed your lease or registered your contract before the circular was issued on June 2, your current terms remain locked in as they were. The freeze only applies to contracts renewed from the date of the announcement onward.

For those with upcoming renewals or new move-ins, the process is straightforward: your landlord is prohibited from increasing the rent, and the cost must mirror the previous registered Tawtheeq contract. While there is no specific end date for this measure, it will remain active until further notice. If a landlord attempts to bypass these rules, tenants are encouraged to report the issue directly through the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Adrec) portal or their official customer service channels to ensure their rights are protected.