Dubai has implemented new regulations governing shared housing arrangements that prohibit families and individuals from residing together in the same residential unit. The rules, introduced under Law No. 4 of 2026, came into effect in August and require property owners and operators to comply within one year.
According to the law, shared residential units must be designated exclusively for either families or individuals, with no mixed occupancy permitted. The regulations specify that bedrooms must provide a minimum of five square metres per occupant, and shared units must have at least one bathroom for every four residents. In family-designated shared housing, each family is required to have a separate bedroom with a private bathroom.
Additionally, Dubai Municipality has restricted shared accommodation for individuals along several major roads known for tourism and commercial activity, including Baniyas Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah Road, and Al Wasl Road. In these locations, only families can access shared housing facilities.
The detailed obligations for property owners, engineering consultancies, and contractors are outlined in Dubai Municipality Circular No. 1-3-1 of 2026. These include requirements that any building or villa currently used for shared accommodation must meet the new standards within one year, although noncompliance involving building violations or unauthorized usage changes is not subject to the grace period.
A permit is now mandatory for any shared accommodation, whether involving new construction or the conversion of existing properties. Applications for licences, completion certificates, and shared-housing permits must be submitted via the Dubai Building Platform by an engineering consultant appointed by the property owner. These applications must include detailed floor plans, occupant categories, room sizes, and occupancy information.
Shared-housing permits will only be issued after a completion certificate is granted and must include data required by the Dubai Land Department to formalize tenancy contracts. Fees will apply for requests to convert buildings or parts of buildings into properties approved for shared housing under the new law.
Law No. 4 of 2026 aims to regulate the occupancy and management of shared housing to protect the rights of owners and residents, ensure proper accommodation standards, and address issues related to overcrowding and unregulated tenancy. The measures also seek to mitigate safety and security risks, curb informal shared housing arrangements, and maintain the urban aesthetics of Dubai’s residential neighborhoods.