If you’re renting a residential property in Sharjah, whether it’s your first time or you’re just renewing your lease, there’s one thing you need to do: get the Sharjah Municipality to sign your tenancy contract. If you don’t, a lot of things won’t go forward or smoothly.
Attesting a tenancy contract in Sharjah just involves obtaining the authorities to stamp and ratify your rental agreement.
It’s a way to make sure that your contract is real and legal. You won’t be able to use your SEWA (Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority) services without this attestation.
It could also affect other things, like getting a visa or sponsoring your family.
Even if you’ve previously signed your contract and are ready to go, SEWA won’t connect your services until the municipality formally stamps the document.
That alone makes it a step that can’t be overlooked. It protects you and your landlord, and it’s vital if you ever need to show proof of residence or do other government-related things.
The municipality in Sharjah doesn’t use the Ejari system like Dubai does. Instead, they have their own way of conducting tenant registrations and contract attestation.
The process is rather simple, but you should double-check that you have the necessary papers and follow the right steps to avoid having to go back or wait longer.
Documents Needed for Attesting a Tenancy Contract in Sharjah
Before you head to the Sharjah Municipality or try to accomplish anything online, it’s crucial to have all your documents available.
Many folks waste time by showing up with paperwork that isn’t complete. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to sign your lease contract:
Required Property Documents for Attestation
- Title Deed or Plot Plan for the property
This proves that the person who is renting out the property has the right to do so. A trade licence may also be added if it’s a business.
- Original Lease Agreement
You (the tenant) and the landlord should both sign the contract. It must clearly state the address of the property, the amount of rent, the length of the lease, and the names of both parties. You’ll need the new version if it’s a renewal.
Identification of Documents
- Emirates ID and passport copies for all tenants and landlords.
- Emirates ID and passport copies for the tenant’s spouse, or the Family Book for UAE citizens. (Note: A passport copy is not required for an Emirati wife.)
Other Documents:
- A copy of the Marriage Certificate.
- Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) approval stamp (for new contracts only).
- A copy of the Power of Attorney (PoA), if applicable.
Process of Submitting Your Tenancy Contract for Attestation in Sharjah
The next step is to have the Sharjah Municipality to officially sign your tenancy contract once you have all of your papers in order.
You can do this online or in person, whichever is easier for you. Here’s how each choice works:
Signing Your Contract Online
Signing your Sharjah contract online is way faster, easier, and more popular with both tenants and landlords.
Here’s what you should do:
1. Visit Sharjah Municipality Portal
Go to the Sharjah Municipality Portal https://portal.shjmun.gov.ae and sign up or log in with your UAE Pass.
2. Choose the Tenancy Contract Attestation Service
Go to the services area and choose “tenancy contract attestation.”
3. Upload All Necessary Papers
You must upload clear copies of your:
- Tenancy contract
- Emirates ID
- Passport/residence visa
- Title deed (landlord’s)
- SEWA details (if applicable, that is, for new contracts)
4. Pay the Attestation Fee.
The fees are dependent on the value of the rental. You can safely pay online with a credit or debit card.
5. Submit and Wait for Approval
Once you send in your application, you will get a confirmation. Most clearances come through in one to two business days.
6. Get a copy of your signed contract.
Once it is authorised, you can download your attested contract as a PDF.
In-person Attestation of Your Contract
Want to do it the old-fashioned way? You can still go to the Sharjah Municipality in person.
Here is what to do:
1. Go to the Sharjah Municipality’s main office
It is in the Al Manakh region. It’s best to go early to prevent long lines.
2. Get a token and wait your turn.
You’ll have to wait till your number is called because there is a queue system.
3. Send in all the necessary papers
Be sure to bring both the originals and the duplicates. The workers of the municipality will review your papers and process them.
4. Pay the Fees at the Counter.
You can pay with cash or a card.
5. Get Your Signed Contract
In most circumstances, you’ll get it right away or be notified when to come back to pick it up.
How to Calculate Tenancy Contract Attestation Fees in Sharjah
It’s crucial to know how much it will cost to get your tenancy contract verified in Sharjah so you aren’t surprised.
How Are the Fees Calculated?
The main attestation fee charged by Sharjah Municipality is 4% of the annual rent, with a minimum fee of AED 500. This means:
- If your annual rent is AED 15,000, you’ll pay the minimum AED 500.
- If your annual rent is AED 40,000, your fee will be AED 1,600 (which is 4% of 40,000).
- For an annual rent of AED 60,000, expect to pay AED 2,400.
Additional Fees to Be Aware Of:
- An amount of AED 100 will be required for the form that proves you are renting.
- Sharjah Municipality also has an E-press service that speeds up the attestation procedure for AED 150.
- If you have more than one contract to attest under your name, each additional contract requires a separate AED 100 form cost.
Who pays the fees?
Most of the time, the tenant pays these fees. However, landlords sometimes include the cost in the rent or split it with the tenant (which is rare). Before you sign your contract, it’s a good idea to make this clear.
Do You Need to Re-Attest When You Renew Your Tenancy Contract?
Just like the initial move-in, renewing your tenancy contract in Sharjah also comes with its own steps — and yes, you’ll need to re-attest the contract every year.
The Sharjah Municipality requires that the tenancy contract be attested every year.
Even if you don’t move to a new flat, villa or townhouse and your rent stays the same, you still need to submit the new contract and get it signed again.
What is the importance of re-attestation?
The certified contract is the official document that ties you to that property. You’ll need it to:
- Get a new Emirates ID
- Set up or renew utility connections
- Protect yourself legally in case of disputes
- Get a new visa (particularly if you’re a resident sponsoring family members)
If you don’t have a legitimate, signed contract, you might have to wait longer to get any government service in Sharjah.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline to Renew?
The Municipality normally gives tenants 90 days from the date they sign the new contract to finish the attestation.
You might have to pay a fine if you miss that, and you will still have to finish the attestation process before you can use any services.
See also
Landlord & Tenant Eviction Law in Dubai
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