Dubai Marina, Business Bay and JVC apartment rents fall more than 10% a year

Apartment rents in Dubai Marina were 12.8% lower in the third quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, according to property consultancy Savills. Business Bay followed with a 12.2% drop and Jumeirah Village Circle with 10.4%. Khaleej Times published the community figures on 13 October.

Declines were smaller elsewhere. Al Furjan fell 7.5%, DIFC 7.3%, Majan 5.1% and Discovery Gardens 4.3%. Phases 2 and 3 of International City barely moved, down 0.4%. In the villa and townhouse segment, Arabian Ranches 3 posted a 15% annual fall and Damac Lagoons 13.4%.

Leasing itself picked up. About 181,900 rental contracts were registered between July and September, 16% more than in the second quarter and close to the level of the third quarter of 2025. New leases rose to 44% of the total from 36%, with JVC, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Village Triangle leading that shift.

Savills reads the small quarter-on-quarter changes as early signs that rents are levelling off, though the pattern differs from one community to the next. Its director of research, Rachael Kennerley, called the current period "a phase of rebalancing rather than a reversal."

Tenants renewing a lease or looking for a new home can use these numbers when discussing price with a landlord. Current listings across these communities are in the property for rent section.

Khaleej Times reported the community data, and Savills set out its quarterly totals in a press release on Zawya.