Key takeaways
- 42,975 homes delivered in Dubai from 1 January to 5 November 2026, about 13 percent more than the same dates in 2025.
- Typical new-lease apartment rent stayed at AED 68,000 (third quarter 2025 and 2026), while new leases rose about 11 percent.
- Typical ready apartment price per sq ft rose about 5 percent to AED 1,420, but ready sales were about 31 percent lower than a year ago.
- About 122,600 homes are registered for 2027 and 116,400 for 2028. Dates often slip.
On 2 November, Construction Week reported a consultancy's finding: about 38,000 homes were handed over in Dubai in the first nine months of 2026, more than in all of 2023 or 2024. These are the Dubai property handovers 2026 everyone is talking about.
I checked it against official records. Then I looked at what the extra homes did to rents and prices.
How many homes did Dubai hand over in 2026?
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) records 42,975 units delivered from 1 January to 5 November 2026. On the same dates in 2025 it was 38,165. That is about 13 percent more. The full year 2025 ended at 46,586, so 2026 is already close to last year's full total.
The consultancy's 38,000 covers January to September only, so the two figures do not clash. Both say the same thing: a lot of finished homes are arriving.
| Area (DLD name) | Units delivered, 2026 to 5 Nov |
|---|---|
| Business Bay | 5,973 |
| Al Barsha South Fourth (where JVC sits) | 4,711 |
| Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid | 3,121 |
| Al Hebiah Fifth | 2,663 |
Source: Dubai Land Department (DLD) project records, 1 January to 5 November 2026. Units in completed projects, by DLD area. DLD areas can include neighbouring communities.
What happened to rents and ready prices
More homes can mean softer rents. So far that has not shown up for apartments. I compared the third quarter of 2025 with the third quarter of 2026:
| Dubai apartments | Q3 2025 | Q3 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical new-lease rent | AED 68,000 | AED 68,000 | 0% |
| New leases registered | 54,371 | 60,122 | +11% |
| Ready apartment sales | 12,373 | 8,491 | -31% |
| Ready apartments, typical price per sq ft | AED 1,350 | AED 1,420 | +5% |
| Ready apartments, typical price | AED 1.10 million | AED 1.15 million | +5% |
Source: Dubai Land Department (DLD) transaction data, July to September 2025 and July to September 2026. Typical = median. Rounded.
Rents for new tenants held steady and more people signed leases. Ready prices edged up, while the number of ready sales fell. My estimate of the gross yield is about 5.9 percent (AED 68,000 divided by AED 1.15 million), before service charges, fees and vacancy. It mixes all sizes and areas, so check each building.
What is still coming in 2027 and 2028
DLD project records state about 122,600 homes for 2027 and about 116,400 for 2028. These are the dates developers have registered, not a promise. Projects often finish later than planned, and 2025 actually delivered 46,586.
The consultancy quotes different pipeline totals from DLD, so I have left them out. For my wider view of launches and handovers, read my off-plan market update.
What it means if you are buying or renting out
- Look at the building, not the city average. Rents and prices differ a lot between areas and towers. My rental market update shows the wider picture.
- If you buy a brand new home, inspect it at handover. Ask for a snagging check and confirm service charges in writing.
- Check the commission. On off-plan the developer always pays the agent, never you. On ready homes the buyer usually pays 2 percent plus VAT.
- Count every cost. My guide to Dubai buying costs has every fee in one table.
I find this good news. Homes that were promised years ago are being finished and handed over, and people are moving in. That builds trust in the market.
It also means more choice for buyers and tenants, so it pays to compare buildings carefully. I always look at the developer's record, the service charges and what similar units actually rent for.
Tell me your budget and plan, and I will show you real recent figures for the buildings you are considering.
Stefano Iannotti
Frequently asked questions
How many homes has Dubai handed over in 2026?
Dubai Land Department (DLD) project records show 42,975 units delivered between 1 January and 5 November 2026, against 38,165 over the same dates in 2025. A consultancy report published on 2 November counted about 38,000 for January to September. The numbers differ because the periods and definitions differ.
Are rents falling because of all the new homes?
Not so far. The typical new-lease apartment rent was AED 68,000 in both the third quarter of 2025 and the third quarter of 2026, and new apartment leases rose about 11 percent (DLD transaction data). The same consultancy report shows average rents up 5.5 percent over the year. Past figures do not guarantee what happens next.
How many homes are due to be handed over in 2027 and 2028?
DLD project records state about 122,600 units for 2027 and about 116,400 for 2028. These are the dates developers have registered. Many projects finish later than planned, so treat them as a ceiling, not a forecast. In 2025 the actual figure was 46,586.
Do I pay the agent commission on a new off-plan home?
No. On off-plan purchases the developer always pays the agent commission and the buyer never does. On a ready or resale home the buyer usually pays the agent 2 percent plus VAT.
Looking at a new or ready home?
Send me your budget and goal and I'll show you what similar homes have sold and rented for in the DLD data. No obligation.
Stefano Iannotti
Real estate advisor in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, specialising in off-plan property for local and international buyers. RERA Broker Card No. 84308. Speaks Italian, English and Spanish.
- Construction Week Online: Dubai delivers 38,000 new residential units in first nine months of 2026 (2 November 2026)
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) project records: units delivered and stated handovers, 1 January to 5 November 2026
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) transaction data: apartment sales and lease registrations, July to September 2025 and 2026