Staying legal in every market

Right to Rent check

Before any tenancy begins, landlords must verify the tenant has a legal right to live in the UK (Immigration Act 2014). Criminal liability for landlords who skip this — up to 5 years imprisonment.

EPC Certificate (min grade E)

An Energy Performance Certificate is legally required for all rentals. Letting below an E rating is a criminal offence (Energy Efficiency Regulations 2018).

Gas Safety Certificate

Annual inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Landlords must provide a copy to tenants before move-in. Criminal offence if missed.

Electrical Safety (EICR)

A full electrical inspection every 5 years by a qualified electrician. Required for all tenancies since April 2021.

Deposit Protection Scheme

All deposits must be held in a government-approved scheme (TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits) within 30 days. Failure is a criminal offence — the court may award the tenant 1–3x the deposit amount.

HMO Licence (if applicable)

Properties with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households require a mandatory HMO licence from the local council. Some areas require a licence for smaller HMOs.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

At least one smoke alarm on each storey and CO alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance.

Tenant Fees Act 2019

Landlords cannot charge tenants for referencing, admin, or credit checks. Only permitted payments: rent, deposit (max 5 weeks), holding deposit (max 1 week), early termination, utilities, and default fees.

Written tenancy agreement (contrat de bail)

A written lease is strongly recommended and legally enforceable. Oral agreements are legally recognised but create disputes. Register with the tax authority for rental income declaration.

Declare rental income

Rental income is subject to income tax in Morocco. Landlords must declare it annually to the Direction Générale des Impôts. Failure can result in back-taxes and penalties.

Repatriation rules for foreign landlords

If you are a non-resident landlord, proceeds from property sales/rental income can be repatriated but must be processed through an authorised Moroccan bank. Keep all transaction records.

Register the tenancy

Long-term rental contracts should be registered with the Real Estate Registry (Shahr Aqari) for legal enforceability. Unregistered leases still have some legal standing but are harder to enforce.

Declare rental income

Rental income is subject to income tax. The Egyptian Tax Authority requires annual declaration. Non-compliance can result in penalties.

Foreign-owned property restrictions

Foreigners cannot own agricultural land or land in border areas. New developments in protected zones may have additional restrictions. Verify with a local notary.

Ejari Registration (Dubai)

ALL tenancy contracts in Dubai MUST be registered with Ejari before the tenant moves in. Unregistered contracts cannot be enforced. Registration is done via the Dubai Land Department portal.

Tawtheeq Registration (Abu Dhabi)

Abu Dhabi's equivalent of Ejari. All tenancy contracts must be registered with Abu Dhabi Municipality.

Rent increases: RERA Rent Calculator

Dubai landlords CANNOT increase rent beyond the RERA-regulated percentage. Tenants must be given 90 days' written notice of any increase. Check the RERA Rent Index before advertising.

Eviction: 12 months' notice required

To evict a tenant for personal use or demolition/renovation, Dubai landlords must give 12 months' written notice via a notary public. No-fault eviction at lease end requires the same.

NOC for subletting

Tenants subletting require written landlord permission. Landlords cannot withhold permission unreasonably for licensed short-term rentals.

DTCM permit for holiday lets (Dubai)

Short-term holiday lets in Dubai require a permit from the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing authority (DTCM). Illegal short-term letting can result in heavy fines.

Ejar Platform Registration

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Housing requires all rental contracts to be registered on the Ejar platform. Unregistered contracts cannot be enforced and landlords cannot use legal remedies to recover rent.

REGA-licensed agents only

Real estate brokers must be registered with the Real Estate General Authority (REGA). Using unlicensed brokers is illegal. Landlords listing directly are exempt but should verify agent credentials.

No residential ownership for non-GCC foreigners (general rule)

Foreign nationals other than GCC citizens generally cannot own residential real estate in Saudi Arabia. Exceptions exist in designated investment zones under Vision 2030. This rule is changing — verify current status with REGA.

Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)

A 5% RETT applies to all real estate transfers. VAT at 15% applies to commercial real estate transactions.

Written tenancy agreement

Rental contracts should be written and clearly specify rent, duration, and payment terms. Disputes are handled by the Ministry of Justice's Real Estate Committee.

No foreign residential ownership

Only Kuwaiti nationals and GCC citizens can own residential property in Kuwait. Foreigners can only lease.

Property registration

Property transfers must be registered with the Ministry of Justice Real Estate Registration Department.

RERA Bahrain registration (agents only)

Real estate agents and brokers must hold a valid RERA Bahrain licence. Private landlords listing directly do not require a licence.

Written tenancy contract

Tenancy contracts should be in writing. Long-term leases are governed by Decree Law No. 27 of 2017.

No property tax

Bahrain has no property tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax on real estate — a major advantage for investors.

Rent Registration

Tenancy contracts should be registered with the Ministry of Municipality. Registration provides legal enforceability.

RERA Qatar compliance (for agents)

All real estate brokers and agents must be licensed by RERA Qatar. Landlords listing directly are generally exempt.

Foreign ownership zones

Non-Qatari nationals can only purchase property in designated freehold or leasehold zones (as per Law No. 16 of 2018). A residence permit is granted with qualifying purchases.

Rental laws

Landlords cannot increase rent more than once per lease term unless agreed otherwise. Evictions require proper notice through legal channels.

Licensed brokers only

Real estate brokerage requires a licence from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Private landlords listing directly are generally exempt.

ITC only for foreign buyers

Foreigners can only purchase property within designated Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) — e.g. The Wave Muscat, Muscat Hills, Almouj. Purchases outside ITCs are not permitted for non-Omanis.

Residence Visa linked to ITC purchase

Foreign buyers in ITCs receive a residence visa valid for the duration of their ownership. The visa is renewable.

Rental income declaration

Rental income is subject to Jordanian income tax. Landlords must declare rental income to the Income and Sales Tax Department.

Written tenancy agreement

A written lease is legally recommended. Disputes are handled through Jordanian courts.

Foreign ownership restrictions

Foreign ownership is governed by Law No. 47 of 2006. Foreigners from non-reciprocal countries face restrictions on property size and location. Aqaba (ASEZA) has its own more open rules.

Residency for investors

Foreigners investing JOD 25,000+ in real estate can apply for a Jordanian residency permit.