Dubai Rent Now Pay Later: Tenants Can Pay Rent Monthly with Keyper’s New Service

New rent payment model gives Dubai residents financial flexibility and reduces risk for landlords

Byline: By Matika Properties Real Estate

Dateline: Dubai, UAE – October 2025

Keyper’s ‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ service allows tenants in Dubai to pay rent in 12 monthly instalments instead of upfront cheques. (Photo: Keyper)

Dubai’s rental market is finally catching up with the way people actually live and get paid. A new “Rent Now, Pay Later” (RNPL) system from proptech startup Keyper is transforming how tenants and landlords handle rent payments—replacing outdated cheques with digital monthly instalments that align with modern income cycles.

For thousands of Dubai residents, this shift means less financial strain and better budgeting. For landlords, it means consistent cash flow and reduced payment risk.

Cheques Out, Monthly Payments In

For decades, renting in Dubai meant writing one, two, or four post-dated cheques for an entire year’s rent—a system that created major cash-flow challenges for expatriates paid on a monthly basis.

“Cheques are archaic,” says Omar Abu Innab, Co-Founder and CEO of Keyper. “Most people only use their chequebook to pay rent. We’re modernizing that by letting tenants pay rent through credit card or direct debit each month.”

Keyper’s Rent Now, Pay Later service, launched in 2023, replaces lump-sum payments with 12 equal monthly instalments handled digitally. The company pays the landlord upfront, while tenants repay Keyper interest-free over the year.

How the Rent Now Pay Later Model Works

Tenants can apply for RNPL through Keyper’s digital Tenant Dashboard. Once approved, they can sign contracts online, schedule payments, and even manage maintenance requests—all from one platform.

Payments are processed via credit card, direct debit, or bank transfer, with automated reminders and secure verification through partner banks. This eliminates risks like bounced cheques or signature errors.

“Our product is interest-free,” says Abu Innab. “We’re not lending money—we’re simply aligning rent payments with people’s pay cycles.”

Integration with UAE Banks

In 2025, Keyper partnered with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Dubai First Mastercard to make rent payments even easier. Tenants can now pay rent using their credit cards and enjoy cash rewards. Under the current campaign, Dubai First users who pay through Keyper receive AED 500 cashback spread over five months and enter a draw to win one month’s rent (up to AED 100,000). The integration improves security, with all transactions verified through banking networks—protecting both tenants and landlords.

Benefits for Tenants

• Monthly affordability: Rent becomes a manageable monthly cost instead of a one-time burden.
• Transparency: No hidden interest or inflated premiums for multiple cheques.
• Digital convenience: Online payments, contracts, and reminders streamline the rental experience.
• Financial freedom: Tenants can move without draining their savings for upfront rent.

Benefits for Landlords

Through the Keyper Investor App, landlords can track rent payments, review analytics, and even opt to receive their full annual rent upfront at a discounted rate.

“From the landlord’s perspective, they get paid in advance and we manage the risk,” Abu Innab explains. “It’s a win-win for both sides.”

Landlords also benefit from higher tenant retention, fewer missed payments, and reduced administrative overhead—no more chasing bounced cheques or verifying signatures.

What Happens If a Tenant Leaves Early?

If a tenant ends their lease before the contract term, normal Dubai tenancy laws still apply—typically a notice period and cancellation fee. Since Keyper pays landlords upfront, the company negotiates directly with the landlord to re-rent the property or adjust the balance.

“Once you’ve paid rent monthly, going back to cheques feels like going back to dial-up internet,” jokes Abu Innab.

The Shift Toward Digital Renting

Dubai’s property market is rapidly embracing digital systems—from e-contracts to AI-driven property management. Rent payments are now joining the transformation.

Keyper’s platform is integrated with Housez.ae and other real estate websites, letting users filter listings that support monthly rent. More agents are now advertising “12-installment options,” reflecting the shift in demand.

As of 2025, more than 3,000 residential units across Dubai operate on RNPL terms, with adoption accelerating each quarter.

What Tenants Should Know Before Signing Up

Tenants must still meet affordability and employment criteria. Timely payment history can help renters qualify for future RNPL contracts more easily. Late or missed payments are recorded digitally but no longer carry the harsh legal consequences once tied to bounced cheques.

Before signing, tenants should verify whether the property is RNPL-eligible, as not all landlords have adopted the system yet.

The Future of Renting in Dubai

The age of paper cheques is fading fast. Monthly rent payments are poised to become the new normal as Dubai continues to modernize its housing sector. Keyper plans to expand across the UAE, starting with Abu Dhabi, as more developers and banks join the RNPL model.

“People get paid monthly,” says Abu Innab. “Their rent should follow the same rhythm. It’s logical, fair, and long overdue.”

Tags: Dubai rent now pay later, Keyper, monthly rent Dubai, Dubai property market, UAE proptech, rent flexibility, tenants and landlords