Dubai’s real estate market continues to demonstrate strong activity across both rental and property sales segments, with the emirate moving closer to a new annual rental record in 2026. According to research from fäm Properties, Dubai registered 339,557 rental contracts across its freehold areas during the first ten months of the year, representing a 6.8% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
The latest figures highlight sustained demand for residential accommodation and continued confidence in Dubai Property. With rental registrations increasing and property sales maintaining momentum, the emirate remains an attractive destination for residents, international buyers and investors exploring Dubai Real Estate opportunities.
The total number of rental contracts recorded between January and October puts Dubai within reach of surpassing the previous annual record of 377,976 contracts registered in 2025. The market needs another 38,420 contracts during November and December to exceed last year’s figure.
Dubai Rental Contracts Increase in October 2026
Dubai recorded 44,841 rental contracts across its freehold communities in October 2026. These included 21,987 new tenancy agreements and 22,854 rental renewals.
New rental registrations increased by 3.8% year-on-year, while renewals grew by 0.5%. The figures indicate that demand remains steady among both new tenants entering the market and existing residents choosing to continue their rental agreements.
Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the rental figures demonstrate that demand for homes in Dubai continues to hold up well, with both new contracts and renewals recording year-on-year growth.
One-bedroom apartments remained the most popular residential category during the first ten months of 2026, accounting for 138,836 rental contracts, or approximately 41% of total registrations.
Among the most active freehold locations, Al Warsan First ranked first, followed by Al Barsha South Fourth, Jebel Ali First and Business Bay.
These figures reflect rental contract activity rather than direct changes in rental prices, making it important to distinguish between growing rental demand and actual rental price movements.
Dubai Property Sales Reach AED35 Billion in October
Alongside the rental market’s performance, Dubai’s property sales market also recorded substantial activity in October 2026.
According to separate data from DXBinteract, the emirate registered 11,974 property transactions with a combined value of AED35.01 billion, equivalent to approximately $9.53 billion.
Property sales value increased by 18% compared with September, while transaction volumes rose by 5.4%.
Off-plan properties continued to account for the larger share of market activity, recording 7,609 transactions valued at AED19.2 billion. Meanwhile, the resale segment registered 4,289 transactions worth AED15.6 billion.
The continued demand for Off Plan Properties Dubai reflects buyers’ interest in newly launched developments, flexible payment arrangements and the potential for long-term investment opportunities.
According to Firas Al Msaddi, the continued preference for off-plan purchases also reflects buyers’ confidence in the longer-term prospects of Dubai’s property market.
Let’s Find Your Dubai Property
Dubai South Leads Off-Plan Property Sales
Dubai South maintained its position as the leading location for off-plan sales by transaction volume for the eighth consecutive month.
The area recorded 720 off-plan transactions worth AED894.6 million in October 2026, demonstrating continued buyer interest in emerging residential communities.
Al Rowaiyah First followed with 639 transactions valued at AED3.2 billion, while Al Barsha South Fourth recorded 449 transactions worth AED542.9 million.
The strong performance of these locations highlights the growing importance of emerging residential destinations in Dubai’s property market.
For buyers researching Dubai Off Plan Projects, areas such as Dubai South offer opportunities to explore new residential developments across different budgets and property configurations. Investors should compare project locations, developer track records, infrastructure plans, construction progress and expected handover dates before making a purchase decision.
Apartments and Villas Record Strong Sales Activity
Apartments continued to dominate Dubai’s property sales market in October 2026, recording 8,888 transactions with a combined value of AED15.5 billion.
Villa sales also experienced significant growth, with 1,356 transactions valued at AED9.1 billion. Transaction volumes in this category increased by 62% month-on-month.
Other property categories also recorded positive activity:
– Plots: 449 transactions worth AED5.9 billion, increasing 92.7% month-on-month.
– Townhouses: 649 transactions valued at AED2 billion, up 8%.
– Commercial properties: 540 transactions involving offices and shops, worth AED2.3 billion.
The most expensive apartment transaction in October involved a property at Silena Building B on Dubai Islands, which sold for AED58 million.
In the villa segment, the highest-priced transaction was recorded at Eden Hills, where a property was sold for AED97 million.
These figures demonstrate the diversity of demand across Dubai’s residential and commercial property sectors, with apartments, villas, townhouses and development plots attracting buyers.
Affordable Properties Below AED2 Million Drive Market Activity
One of the notable findings from October’s property sales data was the strong contribution of properties priced below AED2 million.
According to the report, 63.7% of all transactions involved properties within this price category, highlighting the importance of relatively accessible residential options in Dubai.
Popular Residential Developments Record Strong Sales
Several individual developments recorded notable transaction volumes across Dubai’s primary and resale property markets.
In the primary apartment market, Binghatti Skyterraces led October sales with 207 transactions valued at AED221.8 million.
In the villa segment, Tilal Binghatti recorded 336 primary-market transactions worth AED658.3 million.
Meanwhile, Dune Residency Dubai led the reported resale apartment activity with 38 transactions valued at AED26.5 million. Lunaya recorded 21 resale villa transactions worth AED141.1 million.
The performance of these developments highlights continued demand for different residential property types and price segments.
For prospective buyers considering Off Plan Property Dubai, comparing individual developments can help identify opportunities that align with their financial objectives, preferred locations and expected investment timelines.
What the Latest Figures Mean for Dubai Property Investment?
Dubai’s latest rental and sales figures indicate that the real estate market continues to attract considerable interest from tenants, homeowners and investors.
The registration of 339,557 rental contracts during the first ten months of 2026 demonstrates sustained activity in the leasing market. At the same time, October’s AED35.01 billion in property sales highlights continued demand for residential and commercial assets.
The performance of the off-plan segment is particularly noteworthy, with more than 7,600 transactions recorded during October alone.
For investors exploring Dubai Property Investment, these market indicators provide useful context when comparing established communities with emerging residential destinations.
The increasing availability of New Projects in Dubai also provides buyers with opportunities to consider different property configurations, locations and developer payment structures.
However, investors should remember that rental contract growth does not automatically indicate rising rental prices, and strong transaction volumes do not guarantee future capital appreciation. Careful research into individual projects, service charges, developer credentials and market conditions remains essential.
Explore Off-Plan Property Opportunities in Dubai
Dubai’s property market continues to evolve, supported by residential demand, new development activity and growing interest in off-plan purchases. The latest 2026 figures highlight the importance of both the rental and sales segments in shaping the emirate’s real estate landscape.
Whether you are researching Off Plan Dubai Property for personal use or evaluating investment opportunities, understanding market trends can help you make more informed decisions.
Explore different communities, compare developers and review available payment plans to find suitable Off Plan Properties in Dubai that match your budget and long-term property goals.
Source and Attribution: This article has been rewritten and adapted using information from the original Arabian Business report. Rental market figures are attributed to research by fäm Properties, while property sales figures are based on DXBinteract data cited in the report.
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