Dubai recorded a 45% quarterly increase in rental enquiries in Q3 2026, while residential sales remained steady and buyers showed growing interest in ready properties.
Rental demand reaches new high
Rental enquiries in Dubai reached their highest quarterly level on record at betterhomes, rising 45% compared with Q2 2026 and 15% year-on-year, according to the brokerage’s latest residential market report.
September was the busiest month, with enquiries 31% higher than in September 2025.
Dubai’s population reached 4,807,185 on 29 September, an increase of 226,885 since the start of the year, according to the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment.
The figures highlight the city’s continued demand for housing as its population grows and more residents look for suitable homes.
“September brought the highest level of leasing enquiries we have recorded, while rents became more competitive in parts of the market. That is good news for tenants, but it also gives landlords a clear message: demand is there, provided the property is priced correctly for its community and property type,” said Jacob Bramley, Leasing Manager, betterhomes.
Buyers show greater interest in ready homes
Dubai recorded 34,615 residential sales in Q3 2026, broadly in line with the previous quarter.
Secondary market transactions rose 16% quarter-on-quarter to 10,055, increasing their share of total residential sales from 24% to 29%.
The value of secondary sales reached Dhs 27.1 billion, accounting for 37% of total residential sales value, compared with 30% in Q2.
Ready properties can appeal to buyers seeking immediate occupancy or rental income, as well as those looking to assess established communities before making a purchase.
Apartments accounted for much of the increase, with secondary apartment transactions rising 22% to 7,879. Villa and townhouse transactions in the secondary market remained broadly stable.
Dubai property prices remain above last year
Median residential prices in September remained above their levels a year earlier.
Apartment prices stood at Dhs 1,404 per square foot, while villas and townhouses averaged Dhs 1,638 per square foot.
Compared with September 2025, apartment prices were up 2.2%, while villa and townhouse prices increased 4.1%, according to the report.
These figures provide buyers and investors with a reference point when comparing property types and communities across Dubai.
Sales enquiries pick up in September
Buyer interest also strengthened towards the end of Q3.
betterhomes recorded a 27% increase in sales enquiries in September compared with August. This exceeded the 5% month-on-month increases recorded over the same period in both 2024 and 2025.
Richard Waind, CEO of betterhomes, said buyers were increasingly focused on ready homes and established communities.
“Q3 tells us the market is moving into a more selective phase. Buyers are showing a clear preference for ready homes they can use or let straight away, while record leasing enquiries show that rental demand remains strong. At the same time, rents are becoming more competitive. As we move into the final quarter, I expect the strongest activity to stay concentrated in well-priced homes in established communities, rather than lifting the whole market equally. That puts much more emphasis on pricing, property type and location.”
The Q3 report highlights continued activity across Dubai’s residential market, supported by strong rental enquiries, steady sales volumes and sustained interest in completed properties.
