Property Finder-Keyper To Provide Monthly Rent Payments to UAE Tenants in 2026

The UAE real estate sector sees a monumental shift in easing tenant rental payments amidst soaring living costs as real estate firms Keyper and Property Finder come together to introduce monthly rent payment options, beating out the longstanding 1 to 4 post-dated check payment system that was in play so far.

Traditionally, landlords in the UAE only accepted tenancy contracts upon receiving 1 to 4 post-dated checks. Going into 2026, tenants will now experience major relief early next year with monthly rental payment options, creating greater opportunities for all parties involved.

Keyper UAE rent payment system already supports more than AED 2 billion in rental demand, allowing thousands of tenants to move to easy monthly payments through card or direct debit. The partnership will have the feature available directly on the Property Finder app and website, marking the first time the region’s rental market adopts a fully integrated option to pay rent monthly in the UAE.

The Burden of a 1 to 4 Check Cycle

Having an upfront check-based payment system came with a number of challenges. Firstly, it is a huge burden on the tenants who have to ensure that they have a large amount of funds deposited in their bank accounts to ensure that the check payments would not bounce upon failure to gather the funds in time.

This especially alleviates the heavy burden of the first check for a new tenant moving into a rental unit. Providing enough funds for that first check, over the moving expenses, and initial deposits is no easy feat. Now with the monthly rental payment option, finding and moving to new homes should be a much easier venture.

Founder and CEO of Property Finder, Michael Lahyani, said:

“By easing the financial burden of large upfront payments, we’re helping new residents establish themselves more easily.”

The check cycle also made it hard for landlords and agencies to find tenants who could commit to a long-term stay or could move immediately, due to previous checks still holding them back. All in all, for newcomers in particular, the longstanding 1 to 4 check payment caused limited housing choices and exacerbated budget pressures.

When Will Monthly Rent Payments in the UAE Go Live?

With the new Property Finder monthly rent payment options set to go live in the coming year, it is set to debut early 2026. However, only select listings on Property Finder will offer this option before a complete nationwide rollout. Tenants can soon be allowed to pay via credit or debit cards on a month-by-month basis. Property Finder also mentions that integration with existing digital wallets and banking apps will later be introduced to streamline adoption.

CEO of Keyper, Omar Abu Innab, said:

“Monthly rents are the global norm, and the UAE is catching up fast. This partnership offers renters flexibility and landlords certainty.”

Benefit for Tenants and Landlords

The benefits for tenants are unmatched, but landlords and agencies can leverage this monumental shift in the UAE housing rental market and UAE housing affordability. To highlight, landlords benefit from steady income streams and lower administrative hassles, while the broader market could see increased mobility and reduced vacancy rates.

With Dubai’s rents rising between 10% and 20% year-on-year in prime areas, this move can help stabilize demand and foster a more inclusive housing ecosystem. Additionally, experts predict the shift will align the UAE closer to international standards, boosting its appeal as a global hub and bringing it closer to achieving its long-term goals and agendas.

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