Key Takeaways
The UAE's upfront annual rent system is a major financial hurdle, forcing tenants to pay for a full year before moving in.
Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL) platforms solve this by splitting annual rent into monthly credit or debit card payments.
Key differences between platforms include service fees, property eligibility (some only work with specific listings), and hidden costs.
To avoid cash-flow stress, Rently UAE offers a flexible solution that works with any property and also covers your security deposit.
Moving to Dubai often means facing one of the most jarring financial realities in the world: handing over an entire year's rent in a single cheque — or two — before you've even unpacked a box. For expats and young professionals, this lump-sum system can feel like an impossible hurdle, especially when you're also juggling a security deposit, agency fees, and the general cost of setting up a new life.
It's no surprise that a new wave of Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL) platforms has emerged to solve this problem. But as one Reddit user commented, "I know one from Keyper but they charge too much." Another echoed a common hesitation: "I found another one 'Renters App'. They only charge 2% but looks like too good to be true." And for Dubai newcomers who feel vulnerable to an unfamiliar system — "especially people like myself who recently moved to UAE and don't know how things work" — choosing the wrong platform can be costly.
To help you navigate these new payment options, this guide explains how the main platforms in the UAE work. We’ll compare the key differences between services like Rently, Keyper, Rentify, ezy.rent, and Rewa to help you understand which solution best fits your needs for flexibility, cost, and convenience.
At-a-Glance Comparison
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key features for each platform:
Rently
Rent Now, Pay Later: Yes
Works with ANY property: Yes
Security Deposit Coverage: Yes (Bundled in plan)
Emirates Covered: 5 (UAE-wide)
Approval Speed: 24 hours
Freelancer Support: Yes (with bank statements)
Keyper
Rent Now, Pay Later: Yes
Works with ANY property: No (Property Finder only)
Security Deposit Coverage: No
Emirates Covered: Primarily Dubai/Abu Dhabi
Approval Speed: Not stated
Freelancer Support: Unknown
Rentify
Rent Now, Pay Later: Yes
Works with ANY property: Yes
Security Deposit Coverage: No
Emirates Covered: Dubai focus
Approval Speed: Not stated
Freelancer Support: Unknown
Rent Now, Pay Later: Yes
Works with ANY property: Yes
Security Deposit Coverage: No
Emirates Covered: Dubai focus
Approval Speed: Not stated
Freelancer Support: Unknown
Rewa
Rent Now, Pay Later: No (Card payments only)
Works with ANY property: Yes
Security Deposit Coverage: No
Emirates Covered: Dubai focus
Approval Speed: Not applicable
Freelancer Support: Not applicable
A Closer Look at Each Platform
🏆 Rently — The Most Flexible All-in-One Solution
Rently is a UAE-based proptech and fintech company built specifically for the local rental market. Its core product — Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL) — works like this: Rently pays your landlord the full annual rent upfront (via 1, 2, 3, or 4 cheques, whatever your lease requires), and you pay Rently in 12 easy monthly payments via credit or debit card, plus a personalised service fee.
What makes Rently stand out:
1. It's completely property-agnostic. Unlike some competitors that lock you into a specific marketplace, Rently works with any property, any landlord, any real estate agent across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. Whether you found your apartment on Property Finder, Bayut, Dubizzle, or through a friend — Rently can facilitate the payment. You're not limiting your housing search to stay eligible.
2. It covers your security deposit too. This is a genuine differentiator. Rently will pay your security deposit (typically 5% for unfurnished units, up to 10% for furnished) directly to the landlord upfront, then bundle it into your monthly payments. At the end of the lease, the landlord returns the full deposit to you. This is a critical perk that none of the other platforms on this list offer — and it's the difference between moving in with one manageable monthly payment versus scrambling for tens of thousands of dirhams in cash.
3. 24-hour approval and a fully digital process. The application takes about two minutes online. You'll need to submit your Emirates ID, proof of income (salary certificate for employed applicants, bank statements for the self-employed), and an AECB credit report. Rently typically approves eligible applicants within one business day. The contract is signed digitally via DocuSign — no physical paperwork, no branch visits.
4. No sky-high credit limit required. A common barrier with some RNPL services is that they require your credit card to hold the full annual rent upfront before splitting it. Reddit users have flagged this as a major pain point: "you'll need to have a high credit limit to cover the whole rent first." Because Rently charges you monthly rather than processing the full amount against your card at once, you only need a credit limit sufficient for one month's payment.
5. Earn credit card rewards on your biggest expense. By paying via Visa, Mastercard, or Amex monthly, you can consistently accumulate points, miles, or cashback on rent — turning your largest monthly outgoing into a rewards engine.
Eligibility: Valid UAE working visa, minimum monthly income of AED 7,000. Service fee is personalised based on your credit history and landlord payment method (publicly cited range: ~5–16%).
Keyper — For Property Finder Users Only
Keyper has an exclusive partnership with Property Finder, offering monthly rent payments for tenants who find their property on that platform. If you limit your search to eligible Property Finder listings, the process can be straightforward.
Keyper's Main Limitation: Property Lock-In The biggest drawback is the ecosystem lock-in. Your choice of home is restricted to properties listed on Property Finder where the landlord has specifically opted into the Keyper program. This is a significant constraint compared to a property-agnostic service like Rently, which allows you to rent any home from any portal or agent.
Furthermore, Keyper does not cover the security deposit, meaning you still need to find thousands of dirhams in cash upfront. Their service fees are also not publicly disclosed, making it difficult to compare costs.
Bottom line on Keyper: A workable option if your dream home happens to be in its limited ecosystem. For tenants who want freedom of choice, it's restrictive.
Rentify & ezy.rent — Digital Payment Alternatives
Rentify and ezy.rent are two other RNPL platforms primarily focused on the Dubai market. Both offer the core service of splitting annual rent into monthly credit card payments, providing a more manageable alternative to large upfront cheques.
Key Features:
Works with any property: Like Rently, both platforms are property-agnostic, giving you the freedom to choose any home you find on any portal.
Dubai Focus: Their services are primarily centered around the Dubai rental market.
No Security Deposit Coverage: A key limitation is that neither Rentify nor ezy.rent covers the security deposit, meaning you will still need to arrange this significant cash payment separately.
Bottom line on Rentify & ezy.rent: Solid RNPL options for Dubai-based renters who have their security deposit sorted but want to pay their annual rent monthly. Their flexibility in working with any property is a major plus compared to ecosystem-locked services.
Rewa — The Rewards-First Payment Platform
Rewa is a proptech startup with a compelling, rewards-first model. Its primary focus is to turn rent payments into an opportunity to earn rewards, rather than functioning as a traditional Rent Now, Pay Later service.
How Rewa is Different: The key distinction is that Rewa facilitates card payments for rent but is not an RNPL provider in the same vein as Rently or Keyper. It doesn't pay your landlord the full year's rent upfront. Instead, it's a platform for making your regular rental payments via card, with a heavy emphasis on the rewards you can earn.
Where Rewa falls short for RNPL seekers:
Not a true RNPL service: According to available data, it only processes card payments. It does not solve the core problem of needing to pay the landlord in one or two large cheques if that's what the lease requires.
Early-stage: As a newer platform, many details regarding its fee structure and operational scope are not yet publicly available, making direct comparisons difficult.
Bottom line on Rewa: An interesting platform for tenants whose landlords already accept monthly card payments and who want to maximize their credit card rewards. However, it is not a solution for renters needing to break a large annual payment into monthly instalments.
Which One is Right for You?
Here’s a breakdown of the best platform based on your specific needs:
If you want maximum flexibility to rent any property...
Best Pick: Rently
Why: It's property-agnostic, works with any landlord, and covers five emirates.
If you need help with the security deposit...
Best Pick: Rently
Why: It’s the only platform on this list that covers and splits the deposit into your monthly payments.
If you are self-employed or a freelancer...
Best Pick: Rently
Why: It accepts bank statements for income proof, while other platforms have unclear policies.
If you only search for properties on Property Finder...
Best Pick: Keyper
Why: It's seamlessly integrated into the platform, but your options are limited to its ecosystem.
If you're in Dubai, have your deposit sorted, and want an RNPL alternative...
Best Pick: Rentify or ezy.rent
Why: Both work with any property but don't cover the security deposit.
If your landlord accepts monthly card payments and you want rewards...
Best Pick: Rewa
Why: It’s a rewards-focused payment processor, not a true RNPL solution for breaking up large annual payments.
If you're a new expat who needs a fast and fully digital process...
Best Pick: Rently
Why: It offers 24-hour approval, pre-approval options, and a clear, trusted process from start to finish.
Move In With a Plan, Not Just a Chequebook
The biggest takeaway is that you no longer have to accept the one-cheque system as the only way. While several Rent Now, Pay Later platforms can split your rent into monthly payments, the crucial differences come down to flexibility and solving the whole move-in cost problem. Rently stands apart by being property-agnostic—letting you choose any home—and by covering your security deposit, which removes the two biggest barriers for renters in the UAE.
You're likely in the middle of your apartment search right now, comparing listings and dreading the moment you have to write that first massive cheque. It's easy to get overwhelmed and default to the old way just to get the keys. But knowing your options before you find the perfect place puts you in control of the negotiation.
Because we work with any property and also cover the security deposit, we make it simple to plan your budget. Our online application takes about two minutes, and it's worth knowing your numbers before your next viewing. Explore what your monthly payments could look like—you can check your eligibility online in about two minutes with no commitment.
FAQs
What exactly is Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL) in the UAE?
Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL) services in the UAE are platforms that pay your annual rent upfront to the landlord. This allows you to pay the amount in 12 monthly payments via credit or debit card, avoiding the large lump-sum payment.
How much does it cost to use a service like Rently?
The cost to use a service like Rently is a personalised service fee added to your monthly payments. This fee is calculated based on your credit profile and lease details. Rently provides a transparent quote upfront so you know the exact cost before committing.
Do I have to find a specific apartment to use these services?
It depends on the platform. Services like Rently, Rentify, and ezy.rent are property-agnostic, meaning they work with any rental property, landlord, or real estate agent. This gives you maximum freedom. In contrast, a platform like Keyper requires you to choose from properties listed within its specific ecosystem (Property Finder).
What happens with the security deposit if I use an RNPL service?
With Rently, your security deposit is covered upfront and bundled into your monthly payments. At the end of your lease, the landlord returns the full deposit directly to you. Most other RNPL platforms do not offer this valuable feature.
What do I need to get approved for monthly rent payments?
To get approved for monthly rent payments, you typically need a valid UAE visa, proof of income, and a credit report. For example, Rently requires an Emirates ID, a salary certificate or bank statements, and an AECB credit report for its 24-hour approval process.
