Retail premises to rent

Retail Premises to Rent in the United Arab Emirates

Updated 31 October 2026

Retail premises to rent in the United Arab Emirates typically start from about AED 130,000 a year for retail space in Dubai, while shops in Deira are often quoted between AED 60,000 and AED 150,000 a year depending on size. Rents are usually quoted per year or per square foot. Get current offers for your location and floor area by sending a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Licences and paperwork

Snippets say a commercial tenant cannot lawfully lease a commercial space without a valid trade licence from the Department of Economic Development (DED in Dubai). Check the tenancy registration, Ejari, which carries admin fees of about AED 500 to AED 5,000, and the activity approval and fit-out permits for your type of shop. Ask the landlord to confirm each fee in writing before you sign.

Agent fees and VAT

Agency fees are typically about 5% of the first year's rent, and small offices are often listed from about AED 2,000. Commercial rent can attract 5% VAT under UAE VAT rules, so ask whether the quoted rent includes or excludes VAT before you compare offers. Confirm the lease term and the renewal terms as well.

Season and the electrical load

The climate is very hot from May to September and mild from November to March. Outdoor frontage is used most in the mild months, while in summer the air-conditioning load is the main running cost. Check the electrical capacity of the unit and any extraction you need for cooking or equipment, because these depend on the building.

What to write in the request

State the premises type (shop, kiosk, salon unit or café), the area in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman or Al Ain, the floor area in square metres (listings here often use square feet), and the monthly or yearly rent you can pay. Add the business type, the frontage and entrance, water and drainage needs, the electrical capacity, the condition of the unit and the lease term you want.

BlaBlaPrice is free for buyers and tenants. Describe the premises you need in the chat, and the AI asks for missing details such as the lease term, then looks through sellers' websites and listings in the UAE and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice reply with their price, terms and availability, and your contact details stay hidden until you choose whom to share them with. For related premises, see Offices to rent or Warehouses and industrial premises to rent.