Responsible hosting in Dubai

We encourage hosts to think carefully about their responsibilities. All hosts are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with local legislation and regulation. Hosting offers rich experiences, but it comes with a certain level of commitment. In addition to the Hospitality Standards, here are some ways you can be a responsible host.*

Safety

Emergency procedures

Contact info

Indicate local emergency numbers and the nearest hospital. Provide a clear emergency contact number for yourself, as well as backup, for easy guest reference in a prominent position in your property. Also make clear how you should be contacted if the guest has questions or issues arise. The

Administrative Resolution No 1 of 2020 (“Regulations”) and the Guide Regulating the Activity of Leasing out holiday Homes (“Guide”) require hosts to provide a 24/7 help line and an email address for emergencies and for assisting guests as well as a notice of the procedures to be followed in the case of an emergency. This notice of emergency numbers and procedures and host contact details must be provided in both Arabic and English. The notice must also provide necessary information, such as the class of your holiday home (“Standard”) or (“Deluxe”), dates of occupancy and check-in/check-out times, the total amount payable and other charges, among other details as required by the Guide.

Supplies

The Guide also require hosts to make a first aid kit easily available.

Fire prevention

We are providing the links and suggestions below to get you started. We need to be clear: this information is not legal advice – it is only a starting point for your research. We have not independently verified the links provided, so even when a website or guide is provided by a government agency, you should confirm its accuracy.

You are obliged to comply with Dubai fire safety laws and regulations. The Guide requires that you should also provide fire safety equipment including fire extinguisher, fire blanket, gloves and a torch (with batteries).

The Directorate General of Dubai Civil Defence has provided a Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice in Dubai, which you can access on the Dubai Civil Defence website homepage. 

Your local fire service is responsible for enforcing the fire safety laws and in some cases Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality and/or Dubai Tourism (DTCM) may want to inspect your property to make sure that it is safe for your guests.

Exits

Ensure you have a clearly marked fire escape route, and post a map in your home.

Minimize hazards

Take reasonable safety measures and precautions to provide a safe environment for Guests and visitors, particularly against hazards related to fire, swimming, pools, and well-being facilities.

Privacy

Always be mindful of your guests' privacy. Fully disclose whether there are security cameras or other surveillance equipment at or around your listing. Make sure you are aware of and comply with applicable laws and regulations. You may disclose information related to your guests only to the authorities and not to any other party.

Access

Go through your home to identify any areas where guests might trip or fall and either remove the hazard or mark clearly. Fix any exposed wires. Ensure stairs and balconies are safe and have railings. Remove or lock up any objects that may be dangerous to your guests.

Child-proofing

Ensure your home is safe for children, or else notify guests of potential hazards. If you have a pool, remind your guests that children should be supervised at all times when using the swimming pool. Ensure that guests know how to prevent young children from accessing the balcony and/or other outdoor areas if these are potentially hazardous. The Guide requires that children under the age of 14 should be supervised in all recreation areas at all times.

Climate

Ensure your home is properly ventilated and that temperature control is clearly marked and functional. Ensure guests are clear about how to safely use the air-conditioning system. If you have gas appliances, you should make sure you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector, that appliances are serviced regularly, and that you are following any gas safety regulations that apply to your home.

Neighbors

How can I be mindful of my neighbors?

Building rules

Ensure you relay your building's common area and Owners’ Association rules to your guest. You may want to notify your neighbors that you will have guests, and should remind guests not to bother your neighbors (e.g., don't knock on their door or buzz them to let you in). There are limits to the number of guests and their visitors depending on the unit size and number of bedrooms. Make sure to check the Guide for further details.

Smoking

If you don't allow smoking, we suggest posting signs to remind guests. If you do allow smoking, ensure you have ashtrays available in designated areas. Guests should refrain from smoking in non-smoking areas.

Parking

Ensure you relay parking rules for your building and neighborhood to your guest prior to arrival as required under the Guide. Parking rules should specify the maximum number of cars allowed and the parking spaces that guests and their visitors may use.This is intended to help ensure minimum disturbance to your neighbors and other residents.

Noise

Remind guests about keeping noise down, especially between 10pm-8am. Noise is too loud if your neighbors can hear you while their doors and windows are closed. You may want to consider whether you allow babies or pets. Develop a policy about guests inviting other people over. The Guide limits the number of visitors to a maximum of 6 visitors per unit, which could be less depending on the size of the home. Use of the units should not conflict with residential amenities and security of property and neighbors. Your property is intended primarily for accommodation and not for entertainment and social functions. If you wish to allow guests to hold a function at your property, ensure that the relevant local authorities also give prior approval for this. In particular, you should note that profit-generating functions could breach Dubai’s strict licensing requirements for commercial activities. Any gathering, celebration or entertainment permitted at your property should not inconvenience other residents and should be in accordance with local regulations. It is also a good idea to inform your guests of Dubai’s strict alcohol laws which require individuals to have a license if they wish to purchase and/or consume alcohol outside of designated hotel bars and restaurants. Keep in mind that visitors are not allowed to remain in the holiday home units between midnight and 8:00 AM of the next morning.

Pets

If you allow pets, ensure guests are educated about things like local parks and local customs (e.g., cleaning up after your dog). Have a backup plan in case a guest's pet upsets the neighbors (such as the number of a nearby pet hotel). You should also check your lease or other rules affecting your building in case they contain restrictions on pets.

House rules

To avoid surprises, you may want to include the information covered above in your House Rules in your Airbnb listing profile. You are required to ensure that the House Rules are consistent with the

Decree Regulating the Activity of Leasing out Holiday Homes in the Emirate of Dubai (the“Decree”), the Resolution Approving the Fees and Fines Related to the activity of Leasing out Holiday Homes in the Emirate of Dubai (the “Resolution”) the Regulations, the Guide, and are not contrary to any Dubai law. You are encouraged under the Regulations to provide a Guest & Visitor Information Folder to your guests in order to communicate the House Rules and promote neighborly behavior.

Terms and conditions

Hosts must ensure that they operate their Holiday Home in line with the Terms and Conditions set out in the Regulations and in accordance with Dubai law.

Important things to check

When deciding whether to become an Airbnb host, it’s important for you to understand the laws and regulations that apply in your town or city, and your building.

Some of the laws that may apply to you are complicated. We are providing the links and suggestions below to get you started. To be clear: this is not legal advice – it is only a starting point for your research. We have not independently verified the links provided, so even when a website or guide is provided by a government agency, you should confirm its accuracy. If you have questions, you should contact the appropriate government department, Dubai Municipality, DTCM or other agency directly, or get a local legal advisor or accountant to advise you.

Hosting in Dubai

Holiday rentals in Dubai are subject to the Administrative Resolution No 1 of 2020 (the “Regulations”) and other laws as listed in the Guide Regulation the Activity of Leasing out holiday Homes (“Guide”) . You should familiarize yourself with the Regulations and the Guide and especially with Appendix 1 of the Guide which list the requirements for your Holiday Home to meet the standard acceptable to DTCM.

As an individual owner you should register your property as a Holiday Home with DTCM online. You will be required to submit your personal details, copy of Emirates ID card, passport copy, DEWA bill (not older than 3 months), title deed copy and, if applicable, landlord’s No Objection Certificate (using the approved DTCM form). DTCM will charge an annual registration fee. You should check the website for the most up to date information.

If you are an individual owner, you are allowed to register and manage up to 8 units at the same time. If you wish to manage more units, you need to register a company and obtain the proper trade license issued by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED). If you are a professional operator (i.e. a corporate entity) then you will also need to be licensed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development. You would be expected to have qualifications or experience in hospitality.

In Dubai Holiday Homes are classified as “Standard” or “Deluxe” based on the facilities provided. You should choose the appropriate classification for your property according to the criteria in the Guide.

Taxes

Currently there are no personal taxes in Dubai and in general terms there are no corporate taxes under Dubai law (with limited exceptions for the energy and banking industries). The tax position is subject to change at any time. You should monitor the situation and take professional advice if needed.

Tourism Dirham

You are responsible for collecting the Tourism Dirham (and any other applicable fees) from your guests and paying this to DTCM before the sixteenth (16th) day of the month following its collection. The current fees are AED 15 per night for each occupied Deluxe bedroom and AED 10 per night for each occupied Standard bedroom. The Tourism Dirham fee should be collected for a maximum of 30 nights of consecutive stay and should be clearly shown as a separate charge on every invoice or receipt issued to a guest as well as the price lists. Tourism Dirham must always be described in any documentation as a fee rather than a tax. 

Contracts

Check any leases, contracts or regulations relating to your building to make sure there is no prohibition against subletting – or any other restriction against hosting. Read your lease agreement and check with your landlord and mortgage lender if applicable. If you are a tenant then you should apply for a No Objection Certificate from your landlord. As a tenant, you will be allowed one permit only as a host.

You may consider adding a rider to your tenancy or mortgage agreement that addresses the concerns of these parties and outlines the responsibilities and liabilities of all parties.

Mortgage

If your property has a mortgage (or any form of loan secured against it) you should check that there is no prohibition against subletting, or any other restrictions against hosting.

Flatmates

If you have flatmates, consider a flatmate agreement in writing which outlines things like how often you plan to host, how you'll ensure guests follow House Rules, and even whether you'll share revenue if that makes sense for you. You should note that the Decree requires your Holiday Home to be hired out as an “integral unit” rather than partially as separate rooms or beds. If you are in any doubt as to whether your Property is an “integral unit” you should first check with the DTCM.

Neighbors

Consider whether you should notify your neighbors about your plans to host, along with your plan for how to make sure your guests are not disruptive.

Insurance

Work with your insurance agent or carrier to determine what kind of obligations, limits, and coverage are required for your specific circumstances.

Host damage protection and Host liability insurance

AirCover for Hosts includes Host damage protection and Host liability insurance, which provide you with basic coverage for listed damages and liabilities. However, these don’t take the place of homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, or adequate liability coverage. You might need to meet other insurance requirements as well.

We strongly encourage all Hosts to review and understand the terms of their insurance policy coverage. Not all insurance plans will cover damage or loss of property caused by a guest who books your accommodation. 

Learn more about AirCover for Hosts.

Basic coverage

Review your renter's or homeowner's policy with your insurance carrier to make sure you have adequate coverage.

Liability

The Decree requires you to have adequate comprehensive landlords’ and public liability coverage as well as property protection.

For more information on how Airbnb works, visit our FAQs.

* Please note that Airbnb has no control over the conduct of Hosts and disclaims all liability. Failure of Hosts to satisfy their responsibilities may result in suspension of activity or removal from the Airbnb website.