The latest market analysis from fam Properties found Dubai’s real estate market nearing the threshold of registering its highest-ever annual number of rental contracts in 2026, with sustained demand for residential properties and robust sales activity highlighting the sector’s continued resilience.
Some 38,197 rental contracts were registered in July, comprising 18,431 new tenancy agreements and 19,766 renewals. The latest figures, as per fam Properties, take the total number of rental contracts recorded during the first seven months of 2026 to 214,445, representing a 1.9% increase over the same period in 2025. The agency now sees the market all set to surpass the record 377,660 rental contracts registered during the whole of 2025.
“Apartments continue to dominate tenant demand, with one-bedroom units accounting for 88,327 contracts, or 41% of all tenancy agreements registered so far this year. The sales market also maintained strong momentum in July, recording 13,872 transactions worth AED34.5 billion (USD 9.39 billion). Off-plan properties continued to lead activity, accounting for 9,585 transactions valued at AED20.5 billion, while the secondary market contributed 4,287 resale transactions worth AED14 billion,” fam Properties said.
Data from DXBinteract, aligning with fam Proerties’ analysis, showed Dubai South retaining its position as the Emirati city’s top-performing area by sales volume for the fifth consecutive month.
The district registered 2,351 property transactions worth AED2.6 billion during July, including 2,231 off-plan sales valued at AED2.3 billion.
“The level of rental activity overall is a good sign of market resilience. The volume of renewals alone shows that, regardless of regional uncertainty over the last few months, people still see Dubai as one of the best places in the world to live and work,” said Firas Al Msaddi, Chief Executive Officer of fam Properties.
“Apartment sales accounted for the largest share of July transactions, with 11,759 deals worth AED17.8 billion. The market also recorded 1,322 villa sales valued at AED7.8 billion, 268 land plot transactions worth AED6.9 billion, and 515 commercial property sales, including offices and retail units, totaling AED1.9 billion,” the official added further.
The highest-priced apartment sold during the month fetched AED166 million at Aman Residences Tower 2 in Jumeirah. Second, the most expensive villa changed hands for AED73 million at The Oasis – Lavita.
In terms of transaction value, properties priced below AED1 million represented the largest segment of the market, accounting for 43.4% of all sales.
Homes valued between AED1 million and AED2 million made up 30.3% of transactions, followed by properties priced between AED2 million and AED3 million (11.4%), AED3 million and AED5 million (8.2%), while properties valued above AED5 million accounted for the remaining 7% of sales.