Dubai’s rental market maintained a steady trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, underpinned by robust regulation and sustained investor confidence, according to new data released by the Dubai Media Office.

Market indicators point to continued stability, with activity levels holding firm despite a dynamic economic landscape. Analysts say the emirate’s adaptable framework has helped reinforce trust among landlords, tenants, and investors alike.

The report attributes this performance to the UAE leadership’s forward-looking policies aimed at strengthening economic resilience and long-term growth. These directives have supported a balanced property market while enhancing Dubai’s appeal as a global investment hub.

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Figures from the Dubai Land Department show that total rental contract values reached Dhs32.2bn in Q1 2026.

This reflects what officials describe as a “sustained pace of activity,” supported by clear legislation and a well-regulated environment.

“Dubai continues to demonstrate its ability to maintain balanced economic growth while reinforcing investor confidence,” the report noted.

Contracts signal stability in rental cycle

New rental agreements totaled 118,385 during the quarter, alongside 135,607 renewals, figures that highlight steady demand and consistent landlord–tenant relationships.

In a notable trend, cancelled contracts dropped by 25 per cent, signaling improved market cohesion and reduced volatility. Industry observers say this decline points to greater confidence among tenants and longer-term planning by landlords.

“The reduction in cancellations reflects a more stable rental cycle and a maturing market environment,” the report said.

Dubai’s property ecosystem also continued to expand, with the number of real estate offices reaching 10,200. This growth has contributed to improved service quality and increased market efficiency.

A total of 3,599 real estate licences were issued across various activities. Brokerage services dominated, with 1,564 licences for sales and purchases and 928 for leasing. Other segments, including transaction follow-up services, development, valuation, and property management, also recorded notable activity.

This wide range of services underscores the depth and integration of Dubai’s real estate sector, enabling it to respond flexibly to evolving market demands.

Balanced market poised for future growth

Experts say the latest data reflects a well-balanced supply and demand dynamic, supported by ongoing project development and diversified property offerings.

Dubai’s rental market, they add, is increasingly defined by transparency, regulatory clarity, and resilience—key factors that continue to attract global investors.

As the emirate looks ahead, its real estate sector remains a cornerstone of economic growth. Backed by strong governance and sustained confidence, the market appears well-positioned to navigate future shifts while maintaining stability.

Gold demand during one of India’s key buying festivals stayed muted on Sunday as record prices curbed jewellery purchases, offsetting a modest uptick in investment demand.

Indians celebrated Akshaya Tritiya, the second-biggest gold-buying festival after Dhanteras, when purchasing precious metals is considered auspicious.

“The sharp rally in prices curbed jewellery demand. In volume terms, buying was lower as consumers held back, though in value terms spending was higher due to elevated prices,” said Amit Modak, chief executive of PN Gadgil and Sons, a Pune-based jeweller.

Read more-What gold’s surge really says about currency confidence

Gold prices hit a record high of $5,594.82 per ounce on January 29 and are now trading at around $4,861.

Gold futures in India, the world’s second-biggest gold consumer, closed at 154,609 rupees ($1,670) per 10 grams on Friday, nearly 63 per cent higher than at the last Akshaya Tritiya festival.

Except in a few southern Indian states, demand was lower than normal across the rest of the country, said Surendra Mehta, national secretary at the India Bullion and Jewellers Association.

Retail buyers have been shifting toward gold coins, which are easier to liquidate, even as jewellers offered discounts on fees for crafting jewellery to attract buyers, said a Mumbai-based jeweller.

India’s jewellery demand in 2025 fell 24 per cent from a year earlier, while investment demand rose 17 per cent to its highest since 2013, according to data compiled by the World Gold Council.

Gold-buying patterns in India are changing, with purchases no longer concentrated only during festivals as price-sensitive buyers make purchases throughout the year whenever prices dip, said a Mumbai-based bullion dealer with a private bank.

India issued an order on Friday listing banks authorised to import gold and silver, providing relief for banks that were forced to halt imports because the list’s publication was delayed.

Dubai’s hospitality sector is entering a new upgrade cycle, with several hotels across the city undergoing major renovations as operators reposition assets to meet evolving guest expectations.

From luxury icons to business hotels, these refurbishments reflect a broader push to enhance competitiveness, extend asset lifecycles, and align with Dubai’s long-term tourism growth strategy.

1. Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Dubai’s flagship ultra-luxury hotel has entered a major 18-month refurbishment, marking its most significant upgrade since opening.

The project is focused on modernising interiors while preserving the property’s iconic identity, reinforcing Dubai’s long-term positioning in ultra-luxury hospitality.

2. Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City

The Radisson Blu Hotel in Dubai Media City is set to close from April 30, 2026, for a planned renovation, marking one of the latest additions to the city’s refurbishment pipeline.

Catering operations are expected to continue until the end of the year, while the property is also undergoing a broader repositioning, with a potential operator transition from 2027.

The move reflects a growing trend of business hotels upgrading to remain competitive amid shifting corporate travel demand and mixed-use district evolution.

3. JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

One of the world’s largest five-star hotels has launched a full-scale renovation of its 1,600+ rooms and suites, alongside upgrades to key dining venues and executive spaces.

However, the property is not closing. In a statement to the media, JW Marriott stated that “the hotel will remain fully operational throughout the duration of the project, with works being carefully phased to ensure continuity of operations and guest experience”.

4. Park Hyatt Dubai

The Park Hyatt Dubai resort is entering its final renovation phase, with a temporary closure scheduled from May 2026.

Phased refurbishments like this are increasingly being used to minimise operational disruption while enhancing long-term asset value.

5. St. Regis Dubai, The Palm

The hotel has begun a partial closure from mid-April 2026 as it undergoes refurbishment, with selected facilities temporarily unavailable.

Unlike full shutdowns, partial closures allow operators to maintain revenue streams while upgrading core infrastructure.

6. Armani Hotel Burj Khalifa

The Armani Hotel Dubai, located within the Burj Khalifa, has temporarily closed from April 1, 2026 for a comprehensive, property-wide renovation.

Operator-level booking platforms confirm the hotel is closed through at least December 31, 2026, with dates subject to change, pointing to a full-scale refurbishment rather than phased upgrades.

Industry booking data and partner listings indicate the property is targeting a reopening in late 2026 (fourth quarter), although availability on some platforms only appears from early January 2027—suggesting a soft relaunch window extending into early 2027.

Concerns grew on Monday that the ceasefire between the US and Iran might not hold after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Iran vowed to retaliate.

Efforts to build a more lasting peace in the region likewise appeared to be on shaky ground, as Iran said it would not participate in a second round of negotiations that the US had hoped to kick off before the ceasefire expires on Tuesday.

The US has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and then reimposed its own blockade on marine traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

The US military said it fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship headed towards Iran’s Bandar Abbas port on Sunday after a six-hour standoff, disabling its engines.

Read more-Hormuz Strait shut again: Iran halts key oil route, blames US blockade

US marines then rappelled from helicopters onto the vessel, US Central Command said.

“We have full custody of their ship, and are seeing what’s on board!” President Trump wrote on social media.

Iran’s military said the ship had been traveling from China. “We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military,” a military spokesperson said, according to state media.

Oil prices jumped more than 5 per cent and stock markets wobbled as traders fretted that the ceasefire would collapse and traffic in and out of the Gulf would remain at a bare minimum.

Iran rejects peace talks

Iranian state media reported that Tehran had rejected new peace talks, citing the ongoing blockade, threatening rhetoric, and Washington’s shifting positions and “excessive demands.”

“One cannot restrict Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others,” Iran’s first vice president Mohammadreza Aref wrote on social media. “The choice is clear: either a free oil market for all, or the risk of significant costs for everyone.”

Trump earlier warned Iran that the US would destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran if Tehran rejected his terms, continuing a recent pattern of such threats.

Iran has said that if the US were to attack its civilian infrastructure it would hit power stations and desalination plants of Gulf Arab neighbors.

Preparing for talks that might not happen

Trump said his envoys would arrive in Islamabad on Monday evening, one day before a two-week ceasefire ends.

A White House official told Reuters the US delegation would be headed by vice president JD Vance, who led the war’s first peace talks a week ago, and also include Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. But Trump told ABC News and MS Now that Vance would not go.

Pakistan, which has served as the main mediator, appeared to be preparing for the talks. Two giant US C-17 cargo planes landed at an air base on Sunday afternoon, carrying security equipment and vehicles in preparation for the US delegation’s arrival, two Pakistani security sources said.

Municipal authorities in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad halted public transport and heavy-goods traffic through the city. Barbed wire was rolled out near the Serena Hotel, where last week’s talks were held. The hotel told all guests to leave.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who has led Iran’s side in the talks, had earlier said the two sides had made progress but were still far apart on nuclear issues and the Strait.

European allies, repeatedly criticised by Trump for not aiding his war effort, worry that Washington’s negotiating team is pushing for a swift, superficial deal that would require months or years of technically complex follow‑on talks.

Now in its eighth week, the war has created the most severe shock to global energy supplies in history, sending oil prices surging because of the de facto closure of the strait.

Thousands of people have been killed by US-Israeli strikes on Iran and in an Israeli invasion of Lebanon conducted in parallel since the war began on February 28.

Dubai Holding Real Estate has partnered with Emirates NBD to introduce integrated mortgage financing solutions for off-plan residential developments across Meraas, Nakheel and Dubai Properties.

The agreement marks a shift in Dubai’s off-plan property market, enabling buyers to access mortgage financing at the early stages of purchase, rather than relying solely on developer-led payment plans.

Early-stage financing integrated into buyer journey

Under the partnership, eligible customers can secure mortgage pre-approval during the off-plan stage, providing clarity on affordability, competitive rates and long-term financial planning from booking through to project handover.

The initiative will be available to both UAE residents and non-residents, subject to approval, and is designed to streamline the homebuying process while reducing uncertainty for buyers.

By embedding financing directly into the sales process, the collaboration aims to improve transparency and support more structured decision-making among buyers, while reinforcing responsible lending practices across the real estate sector.

Dubai Holding Real Estate will integrate Emirates NBD’s mortgage solutions across its portfolio, offering buyers greater liquidity planning throughout the construction lifecycle.

The move aligns with broader policy objectives under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which focuses on enhancing housing accessibility and building a resilient, well-regulated property market.

Khalid Al Malik, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said: “Dubai’s real estate market continues to evolve as a global benchmark for growth and investment. In partnership with Emirates NBD, we are enhancing the way off-plan homes are purchased by embedding structured mortgage solutions directly into the customer journey. This creates a more structured and predictable pathway for buyers throughout the development lifecycle.”

Marwan Hadi, group head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, added: “We are pleased to partner with Dubai Holding Real Estate to advance how off-plan homes are financed in Dubai. By introducing structured mortgage solutions earlier in the homebuying journey, we are giving customers greater financial clarity and confidence at the point of decision. This initiative reflects our commitment to enabling sustainable homeownership, while strengthening transparency and responsible lending across the UAE’s real estate market.”

The partnership comes amid sustained momentum in Dubai’s property market. According to Dubai Land Department, the emirate recorded more than 270,000 real estate transactions valued at Dhs917bn in 2025, with off-plan properties accounting for over 70 per cent of residential activity.

The introduction of early-stage mortgage solutions is expected to further strengthen market confidence and support continued demand for high-quality developments.