Rewa launches app for digital rent and reward payments in the United Arab Emirates

Rewa has officially launched its digital rent payment and rewards app in the United Arab Emirates, making it easier for tenants to pay their rent and finally get something in return for their biggest recurring expense. The app's launch follows the successful completion of Rewa's seed funding round, backed by Qatar Development Bank, Plug and Play, Neocity Invest, Startup Wise Guys, Second Century Ventures (REACH MENA), and executives from leading real estate companies in the Gulf region. The terms of the funding were not disclosed.

In a country where most residents rent their homes, payments are still largely made by check and manual processes. Rewa introduces a modern alternative that fits naturally into existing rental practices without changing the way rent works. Tenants can pay their rent by card or bank transfer and automatically receive rewards for each on-time payment.

With the Rewa app, available on iOS and Android, tenants earn Rewa points that can be redeemed with over 150 global and local partners in the travel, retail, food, dining, and lifestyle industries. Points can also be used towards future rent, utilities, or long-term housing goals with selected developers in the United Arab Emirates. The result is simple: same rent, but with added value.

Rewa makes it easier for property owners and managers to collect rent with automatic payment tracking, digital receipts, and processes tailored to UAE rental practices, including DLD/Ejari-compliant processes and check-like security. This reduces the need for manual payment monitoring, improves payment reliability, and provides a more predictable collection process without disrupting operations.

Rewa Alliance, the company's platform for registering property owners, is now available to all property owners and property managers in the United Arab Emirates. Registration takes a few minutes, involves no setup fees, and has already been implemented by boutique property owners, mid-sized property portfolios, and institutional operators.

Rent is often the largest fixed expense in people's lives, but tenants in Dubai have never received anything in return and continue to pay rent by check. We applied proven loyalty models from the airline and hotel industries to renting, creating a system that rewards tenants while improving cash flow and efficiency for property owners." – Ramzi Mneimneh, founder of Rewa

Rent is often the largest fixed expense in people's lives, yet tenants in Dubai have historically received nothing in return and continue to pay rent by check. We applied proven loyalty models from the airline and hotel industries to rent, creating a system that rewards tenants while improving cash flow and efficiency for property owners."

– Ramzi Mneimneh, founder, Rewa

The newly acquired funds will support Rewa's expansion in Dubai, with plans to extend its operations to the entire United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Rewa participated in the Dubai Land Department's Real Estate Evolution Space (REES) innovation program and operates in accordance with the consumer protection laws and financial regulations of the United Arab Emirates.

"This is the Middle East's response to the success of the Bilt Rewards program in the United States. Our private beta confirmed the demand for online rent payments and collection. We are now expanding nationwide and expanding our rewards network. Rent should be more beneficial to tenants and more efficient for property owners." – Najib Khanafer, co-founder and CEO of Rewa

"This is the Middle East's response to the success of the Bilt Rewards program in the United States. Our private beta confirmed the demand for online rent payments and collection. We are now expanding nationwide and expanding our rewards network. Rent should be more beneficial to tenants and more efficient for property owners."

– Najib Khanafer, Co-founder and CEO, Rewa

The Rewa app is now available at rewa.rent, and property owners can sign up to participate in the Rewa Alliance program at rewa.rent/properties. We encourage UAE residents and property owners to register today and discover new benefits with every rent payment.