Dubizzle Invests in Tern to Support Credit Card Rent Payments in the UAE
Dubizzle Group has invested in UAE rental rewards platform Tern to enable tenants using its property portals to pay rent by credit card while earning loyalty points. The partnership will see Tern integrated exclusively into Dubizzle and Bayut, with the aim of creating a more flexible digital payment experience for tenants, landlords, and agents across the UAE.
According to the companies, the integration allows tenants to manage rental payments without hidden fees or additional credit card premiums. In addition to payment flexibility, users will be able to earn rewards points that can be redeemed for flights, electronics, and lifestyle services.
The initiative also targets operational benefits for property stakeholders. Landlords and agents using the platform may benefit from faster digital rent collection, while the companies said the added payment option could improve tenant retention and make rental listings more attractive in a competitive market.
Tern Reports AED 150 Million in Annualised Rent Volume
Tern was founded in 2024 by Said Al Sayyed and Mohamad Shaitou. The startup said more than AED 150 million in annualised rent payment volume is already flowing through its ecosystem. It operates a loyalty network that connects tenants, landlords, banks, and merchants in an effort to modernise rent collection across the region.
Dubizzle Group Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm, led the investment. The unit focuses on early-stage technology startups across the GCC. Surya Raviganesh, who leads investments for the group, said the company’s platforms reach a large audience in the UAE and create strong potential for partnerships that can benefit from that scale.
Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Dubizzle Group UAE, said the collaboration is intended to give renters a more convenient and rewarding way to manage their payments, while also creating new opportunities for landlords and agents in the country.
Dubizzle Group said that half the UAE population uses one of its platforms every month. Across the Middle East, the group records 58 million monthly visits and 20 million monthly users, highlighting the reach behind the new rental payments offering.
Industry Analysis
The investment reflects the growing convergence of proptech, payments, and loyalty infrastructure in the UAE. By linking rent payments to credit card usage and rewards, the model introduces a more consumer-friendly payment option while also supporting digitisation in the rental market.
For landlords and property platforms, the integration may help speed up rent collection and improve tenant engagement. For tenants, the absence of extra card premiums and the ability to earn rewards could make recurring payments more attractive. The deal also suggests that major marketplace operators are increasingly looking to embed financial services features directly into their platforms to increase user retention and unlock additional value from their existing customer base.
