Is bed sharing illegal in Dubai now?

Sharing is not banned. But it's legal only in licensed shared housing.

A tenant cannot rent out beds or rooms to others. Only the owner or a licensed operator can.

Bachelors and families can't share the same flat anymore.

At least 5 sq m per person. One bathroom for every 4 people.

Fines from Dh500 to Dh500,000. Repeat it? Up to Dh1 million.

Ask who owns the flat and if it has a shared-housing permit.

Paying the "main tenant"? You may have less protection if things go wrong.

No written agreement? Don't pay.