Key Takeaways
High upfront costs in Dubai, including security deposits of 5-10% of the annual rent, can be a major barrier for tenants.
You can negotiate directly with landlords to pay the deposit in installments or waive it entirely for properties that have been vacant for a while.
Alternative services like surety bonds offer a lower upfront cost but involve a non-refundable fee and still hold you liable for damages.
For a comprehensive solution, Rently UAE covers both your security deposit and annual rent, allowing you to move in now and pay in monthly installments.
Picture this: you've landed a great job in Dubai, your salary comfortably covers the rent, and you're ready to sign a lease — then you see the upfront costs.
Before you even get your keys, you're expected to hand over a security deposit, agency fees, and often the first rent payment, all at once. For many tenants, that one moment is enough to derail the entire move.
You're not alone.
Many renters with solid incomes and stable jobs find themselves blocked by the sheer scale of these upfront costs.
Whether the hurdle is having enough cash on hand, lacking a local credit history, or simply facing inconvenient payment schedules, the result is the same: you're stuck before you even start, wondering how to find an apartment with no security deposit in Dubai.
The Real Cost of a Security Deposit in Dubai
A security deposit is a refundable amount paid to your landlord at the start of a tenancy.
It acts as a financial safeguard, protecting the landlord against unpaid rent, property damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning costs, unpaid utility bills, or lost keys.
This is why the option of no security deposit in Dubai is so appealing to new tenants.
In Dubai, according to Driven Properties, the standard rates are:
5% of annual rent for unfurnished properties
10% of annual rent for furnished properties
On a modest apartment with an annual rent of AED 120,000, that's AED 6,000 to AED 12,000 in cash — on top of your first cheque, agent fees, and moving expenses.
Stack those together and you're easily looking at AED 30,000 or more before you've spent a single night in your new home.
That's a significant financial hurdle, and it's one that stops a lot of people from moving into the home they want, when they want.
The good news? There are legitimate ways to navigate this. Here are five approaches to securing a no security deposit rent arrangement — or at least making the deposit far more manageable.
5 Legit Ways to Move to Dubai Without a Full Security Deposit
Here are 5 legitimate ways that you can move to Dubai even if you don't have enough for a full security deposit.
1. Rently's Full Deposit Coverage and Rent Now, Pay Later Service
If you're looking for the most comprehensive and accessible solution on this list, Rently UAE is worth knowing about first.
Rently is a UAE-based proptech and fintech company built specifically to make renting easier for tenants. Our flagship product is a Rent Now, Pay Later model that fundamentally changes how you pay for your home, creating a clear path to renting with no security deposit in Dubai.
Here's how it works:
Rently pays your full annual rent directly to the landlord upfront — in one cheque, which satisfies one of the most common landlord requirements in the UAE.
You then repay Rently in manageable monthly rent installments, with a small service fee. You get to move in immediately without needing to come up with a lump sum.
On top of that, Rently also covers your security deposit. Rather than fronting the entire deposit amount at signing, it's split into smaller installments alongside your monthly payments.
And unlike some alternatives on this list, you're still entitled to receive your full security deposit back from the landlord at the end of your tenancy — as protected under Dubai's rental regulations.
What makes Rently stand out:
Accessibility. The service is designed with minimal barriers to approval, making it particularly well-suited for:
Expatriates who haven't built a local credit history
Freelancers with variable income
Employees who are new to a role or country
Anyone who simply doesn't want to drain their savings on day one
Rently has also built a strong track record in the UAE, partnering with well-known organisations like Gems Education, Habyt, and Blueground.
If you're looking for a solution that handles both the rent and the deposit in one go, this is the most complete option available.
2. Negotiate a Deposit Installment Plan Directly with Your Landlord
No third-party service, no fee — just a direct conversation with your landlord about paying the security deposit in instalments rather than all at once.
While not a true no security deposit rent scenario, it significantly eases the initial financial burden.
Instead of handing over AED 6,000 at signing, for example, you could propose paying AED 2,000 per month for the first three months alongside your regular rent.
It keeps your cash flow intact and achieves the same outcome for the landlord over a short period.
Will it work?
Honestly, it depends. In a high-demand rental market like Dubai, landlords may not negotiate — if one applicant can't meet the terms, another often can. But it's not impossible, especially with individual landlords who prioritise long-term, low-hassle tenancies over corporate policy.
To improve your chances:
Provide a strong employment letter and income documentation
Offer positive references from previous landlords
Propose a longer lease term (two years is compelling)
Approach the conversation early — before you've signed anything
Important note:
If a landlord agrees, get the instalment arrangement documented in writing as an addendum to your tenancy contract. A verbal agreement is not enforceable under RERA guidelines.
Who this works best for:
Tenants with a strong rental history and stable employment who are dealing with a private landlord open to negotiation.
3. Use a Security Deposit Alternative (Surety Bonds or Guarantee Products)
If a full deposit upfront isn't feasible, surety bond services offer a middle ground.
Instead of paying the entire deposit to your landlord, you pay a smaller, non-refundable fee to a third-party provider. That provider then issues the landlord a bond — a legal guarantee — for the full deposit amount.
Think of it as insurance for the landlord, paid for by the tenant.
The appeal:
You might pay a fee of 10–20% of the deposit value instead of the full amount upfront. On a AED 10,000 deposit, that's AED 1,000 to AED 2,000 out of pocket instead of ten thousand.
The catch:
That fee is non-refundable. And as Reddit users noted, these plans "take more money over time whether you cause any damages or not."
One commenter noted that for high-value rentals, the maths might still work in your favour — but for standard apartments, the cumulative non-refundable fees can exceed what you'd have paid just tying the cash up in a regular deposit.
There's also an important misunderstanding to clear up: you are not protected from damage costs. If you cause damage and the landlord files a claim, the bond company pays the landlord — then legally recovers that sum from you.
As one commenter put it: "any damages are going to come 100% out of your pocket." The bond protects the landlord, not you.
Just remember:
The fine print matters. Read the claims process, refund policy, and any penalty clauses before committing. These products vary significantly, and not all are tenant-friendly.
Qualification requirements: Most surety bond providers require a credit check for approval.
Who this works best for:
Tenants with a decent credit score who have good cash flow but want to free up a large lump sum for other purposes.
4. Negotiate to Waive the Deposit Entirely
This is the boldest play on the list — convincing a landlord to waive the security deposit entirely.
It's difficult, but not impossible to secure a home with no security deposit in Dubai in the right circumstances.
Your best leverage point is a property that has been sitting vacant for a while.
As one renter put it: "when something sits there for a long time, the store will discount the item to try to get rid of them."
The longer a unit sits empty, the more motivated the landlord becomes — especially individual landlords managing their own investment, as opposed to large property management companies with rigid policies.
Tactics that can shift the conversation:
Offer a slightly higher monthly rent in exchange for no deposit. For the landlord, this keeps income flowing and may even work out better financially.
Present an impeccable rental record — documented, verifiable references carry real weight with private landlords.
Offer a longer lease term. A two-year commitment significantly reduces the landlord's risk and their cost of finding a new tenant.
Show proof of stable, high income — payslips, an employment contract, and a salary certificate from your employer all help.
Timing also matters. If a unit has been listed for 30 days or more, the landlord's position softens. Tools like Property Finder and Bayut let you see when a listing was posted, which can inform your approach.
Who this works best for:
Tenants with a strong financial profile negotiating directly with private landlords, particularly on properties that haven't moved quickly.
5. Use a Rent Guarantor Service
A rent guarantor service acts as a co-signer on your behalf.
The company provides the landlord with a legal guarantee that rent will be paid and the property will be looked after — significantly reducing perceived risk and making it easier for you to get approved.
This approach directly addresses one of the most frustrating pain points in the rental market: being rejected despite having the income to comfortably afford the rent.
As one renter shared: "I can't seem to find a private landlord who will work with me & even though we make 4-5x the rent amount... they won't rent to us due to credit."
Whether it's a lack of local credit history, a gap year, or circumstances outside your control, a guarantor service can bridge the gap.
Who it's designed for:
Expatriates who are new to the UAE and haven't established a credit profile locally
Freelancers or business owners with variable income structures
Recent graduates or early-career professionals
Anyone who has experienced credit issues — whether through their own situation or, as some renters describe, due to outside circumstances
What to expect:
You'll need to apply and meet the guarantor company's requirements. The service typically charges a fee — either a percentage of the annual rent or a flat amount — and this fee is non-refundable. Services like The Guarantors operate in various markets and offer a useful reference point for how these products typically work.
Worth noting:
While this can help you get approved and may reduce or remove the upfront deposit requirement, it is not a free solution. Factor in the cost carefully.
Who this works best for:
Tenants with solid income but limited local credit history who need a reliable path to getting approved.
Get the Keys to Your Dubai Home Sooner
Moving to Dubai shouldn't mean emptying your savings account before you've even unpacked.
While you can negotiate directly with a landlord for better terms, the most reliable path to a rental with no security deposit in Dubai is by changing how you pay for your rent and deposit.
Your next step is to get a clear picture of what your actual monthly payments would look like. In just a few clicks, you can see exactly how affordable your dream apartment can be when you break down the total move-in cost.
The best apartments in Dubai don't stay on the market for long. Don't let a one-time payment stand between you and your new home—try the rent calculator now and get ready to move in, stress-free.
FAQs
How much is a typical security deposit in Dubai?
A typical security deposit in Dubai is 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished property and 10% for a furnished one. This refundable amount is held by the landlord to cover potential damages or unpaid dues.
Can I really get a no security deposit rent in Dubai?
Yes, it is possible to rent in Dubai without paying a full security deposit upfront. Options include negotiating an installment plan, using a surety bond, or using a service like Rently that covers the cost for you.
How does a service like Rently solve the security deposit problem?
Rently solves the security deposit problem by paying it to your landlord on your behalf. You then repay the amount to Rently in smaller, manageable monthly installments along with your rent, removing the need for a large upfront cash payment.
What's the difference between a real security deposit and a surety bond?
A real security deposit is a refundable amount you get back at the end of your tenancy. A surety bond involves paying a smaller, non-refundable fee to a company that guarantees the deposit amount for your landlord.
