Ask most tenants in Dubai how they found their last apartment, and the story is likely to include an agent, a rushed viewing, and a hefty fee, typically 5% of the rent paid upfront. If you’re lucky, the agent will be helpful. If not, you paid a significant amount of money just for being introduced to the listing. It’s frustrating. But for a long time, that’s just how it worked.
Now? That’s changing.
More tenants are figuring out how to rent property in the UAE without commission, and it’s not a loophole; it’s a smarter, better-aligned way to rent. Thanks to better digital platforms, verified listings, and more control shifting back to tenants, it’s possible to skip agent fees altogether while still renting safely and legally.
This guide breaks down how it works, what to look out for, and how platforms like GLLIT are making it the new normal.
Traditionally, agents served a purpose. They helped connect tenants to landlords, handled paperwork, and arranged viewings. For that, they charged a commission, typically 5% of annual rent or a flat fee (often AED 5,000 or more). It was accepted because there weren’t many alternatives.
But over time, something changed. Listings became more accessible. Online platforms have improved. And landlords started exploring ways to list properties without going through agents, especially for basic residential rentals.
Here’s the reality nowadays: paying commission is not mandatory. You can rent legally and safely without it if you know where to search and what to ask.
The first step to skipping commission is knowing where to find direct-from-owner rentals. On most listing platforms, agent-controlled units dominate, even when they’re labelled “no commission.”
So, how do you find the real ones?
The difference shows up when you contact someone. If the reply is “please call my agent,” it’s not commission-free. A true commission-free platform handles the listing, verification, and lead connection, all without passing you off to a middleman.
Here’s where most people hesitate, and for good reason. If you’re skipping the agent, how do you know the unit and landlord are real?
Luckily, UAE real estate laws have made this easier than ever.
If the owner refuses any of this or seems evasive, it’s a red flag. But on a platform like GLLIT, these documents are already verified internally, so you’re not left chasing.
Let’s talk numbers.
Say you’re renting a 1-bedroom for AED 85,000 annually. A standard agent commission of 5% means paying AED 4,250 extra, upfront. Add that to the security deposit, Ejari fees, and maybe one or two rent cheques due, and suddenly your move-in cost spikes by thousands.
By renting through a commission-free system:
For most tenants in Dubai, especially those renewing every year or two, this becomes a major financial improvement.
Not every “no commission” rental is created equal. Scammers know that tenants are trying to avoid agents and sometimes try to exploit that.
Here’s how to stay sharp:
One big fear for tenants going commission-free is that they’ll lose support. But that’s not how it works, at least not on modern platforms.
Here’s what GLLIT does differently:
It’s like working with an agent except without the extra fee, and with less pressure to “close.”
It’s not just budget renters who benefit. Many mid- to high-income tenants are now actively choosing direct rentals.
This model works especially well for:
If you fall into any of those categories, skipping commission isn’t just cheaper, it’s smarter.
At GLLIT, we started with one idea: renting in Dubai should be simple, affordable, and fair. That meant removing commissions from the equation completely for both tenants and landlords.
Our platform is:
We help tenants find real homes without the extras. No fine print. No “surprise” agent calls. Just renting made smarter.
The idea that you have to pay an agent every time you rent a home is fading fast. Tenants have better choices, better platforms, and better protections than ever before. You just need to know where to look.
If you want to rent property in the UAE without commission, stop settling for the old model. Whether you’re moving within the city or arriving new to Dubai, platforms like GLLIT make it easier to find a verified home, and when you do find the right property, you know that every dirham went to your living space, not someone else’s commission cheque.