Dubai is a top city for remote workers and business professionals. Usually, owners rent their holiday homes to weekend tourists. However, changing to a long-stay model (booking guests for 30 days or more) is a great option. It gives you steady income and is much easier to manage.
In this simple guide, we will explain how to host monthly guests in your Dubai property. We cover everything from Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) rules to pricing strategies, helping you make the most of your investment.
The Benefits of Long-Stay Guests
Shifting your focus to monthly rentals is an excellent way to secure steady money. Here are the main benefits for property owners:
- Steady income all year round
- Less daily management and cleaning
- Cost savings on empty days between short bookings
Less Daily Work
Short stays need regular cleaning, new bed sheets, and constant chatting with guests. A 30-day or 60-day guest means less daily work. You save money on cleaning and maintenance, giving you more free time.
The Tourism Dirham Cap
In Dubai, holiday homes have a daily Tourism Dirham fee. But this fee is only charged for the first 30 days of a stay. After 30 days, there is no daily fee. This makes your property cheaper for long-term guests while keeping your profits high.
Stable Income All Year
Dubai has busy winters and quiet summers. Booking a 30-day guest during the summer or after major holidays means your home will not sit empty.
Things to Keep in Mind
While the monthly model is great, owners should plan carefully for a few differences in how these rentals work.
Managing Water and Electricity
In normal yearly rentals, the tenant pays their own bills. In monthly holiday homes, you include water, electricity (DEWA), and air conditioning in the price. A guest might use the AC all day in summer. It is smart to add fair usage rules to your listing to protect your profits.
Lower Nightly Prices
To get monthly tenants, you need to offer a lower price than your daily rate. Even if the total looks slightly smaller, you often earn more overall. You save a lot on cleaning fees and avoid losing money on empty nights.
Rules and Regulations
Operating a holiday home for monthly stays in Dubai offers a nice middle ground between strict yearly leases and busy daily rentals.
DET Registration
In Dubai, short-term and monthly holiday homes follow Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) rules. You must register every guest in the DET system using their passport or Emirates ID. This is a strict rule that all owners must follow.
No Ejari Needed
A big benefit of a 30-day holiday stay is that you do not need an Ejari contract. Ejari is only for official one-year rentals. This gives both you and the guest great flexibility. The guest gets a ready-to-use home, and you keep full control of your property.
Smart Locks and Security
Guest safety is very important. SIRA-certified smart locks are required for Dubai holiday homes. These locks are secure and let you open doors remotely, which business travelers and remote workers love.
Taxes and Fees
You must pay a 10% Municipality Fee on the booking money, no matter how long the stay is. Also, a 5% VAT applies if your holiday home earns more than AED 375,000 a year.
Pricing Strategies for Monthly Renters
Finding the right price for a 30-day stay is important. You want to offer a good discount that attracts long-term guests while covering all your bills.
Offering Monthly Discounts
Many successful owners give tiered discounts. For example, you might offer a 25% or 30% discount for a 30-day stay. If your property is usually empty for 10 days a month, a 30% discount can still bring you the same or higher overall income because it guarantees a full month of bookings.
Including Bills Carefully
When you set your price, remember to add the costs for DEWA, Wi-Fi, cooling, and cleaning. Guests will gladly pay a little more for a total package so they do not have to deal with setting up bills themselves.
How to Find Good Monthly Tenants
To succeed with a long-stay model, you must show your property to the right people.
Focus on Business Travelers
Good tenants often come from business networks and remote worker groups. Highlight features like fast Wi-Fi and a comfortable workspace in your photos. Professionals moving to Dubai often rent a holiday home for a few months before finding a permanent house.
Use Property Websites
Do not rely only on tourist booking sites. Put your property on local real estate websites like Property Finder or Bayut. Many residents use these sites to find short-term furnished homes.
Partner with Professional Management
Managing prices and finding tenants can take a lot of time. By using professional management services, owners can reach business clients easily and avoid the daily stress of managing a home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register an Ejari for a 3-month holiday home stay?
No. As long as your property is registered as a Holiday Home with the DET, you do not need an Ejari. This provides excellent flexibility for property owners.
Does the guest pay for electricity and water during a 30-day stay?
No. In the holiday home model, all utilities like DEWA, internet, and air conditioning are included in the rental price. We advise setting clear fair usage rules to prevent excessive energy use.
How does the Tourism Dirham fee work for monthly stays?
The Tourism Dirham fee is required, but it is capped at the first 30 nights of a single guest's stay. For guests staying beyond a month, the fee is not applied from the 31st day onward.
Are smart locks required for my property?
Yes. To follow Dubai's security rules, holiday homes must be equipped with SIRA-certified smart locks. These provide secure access for your tenants.
Conclusion
Changing your Dubai property to a long-stay holiday home model is a proven way to earn steady income, reduce daily work, and attract remote professionals. By understanding DET rules, offering smart discounts, and targeting corporate guests, you can improve your property's earnings all year round.
If you are considering optimizing your property strategy or want to see how much your home could earn through monthly rentals, get a free estimate today. Our team is ready to help you unlock the full earning potential of your real estate investment.