Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) today announced a series of new initiatives aimed at stabilizing the residential rental market and enhancing tenant protection. Effective immediately, a new set of guidelines will introduce a tiered system for rent increase caps in designated high-demand areas, including Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay. This move comes in response to feedback from residents and aims to provide greater predictability and affordability for expatriates and long-term residents.Under the new regulations, landlords will be subject to stricter parameters when adjusting rental prices upon contract renewal. The caps will be linked to the RERA Rental Index, with specific percentages set based on the average rental increase in the preceding 12 months for similar properties. For properties where the current rent is significantly below the index, the maximum increase will be phased in over two years to prevent sudden spikes.Additionally, RERA has launched an enhanced digital portal for dispute resolution, promising faster processing times for tenant-landlord disagreements related to rent increases or maintenance issues. This initiative is part of Dubai's broader strategy to maintain its competitiveness as a global talent hub by ensuring a sustainable and attractive living environment for its diverse expat community. The government anticipates these measures will foster greater stability in the rental market, boosting confidence among residents and attracting further investment.