Dubizzle Group has invested in UAE-based rental rewards platform Tern, betting that incentives and payment flexibility can help it capture more of the value chain beyond property listings.
The deal will integrate Tern exclusively into Dubizzle-owned platforms Bayut and dubizzle, enabling tenants to pay rent via credit cards while earning loyalty points redeemable across retail, travel and lifestyle partners. The feature targets one of the largest recurring household expenses, long dominated by inflexible payment structures.
Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.
The move underscores Dubizzle’s strategy to evolve from a classifieds marketplace into a full-service property ecosystem, layering financial tools and tenant services onto its high-traffic platforms. The company says its marketplaces attract about 58 million monthly visits and 20 million users across the region.
Tern, founded in 2024 by Said Al Sayyed and launched in 2025, has processed more than AED150 million ($40.8 million) in annualised rent payments, according to the company. Its model allows tenants to earn rewards on rent without additional fees for credit card usage, while offering landlords and property managers a digital rent collection system.
“At Bayut and dubizzle, our focus has always been on solving real challenges across the property journey,” said Haider Ali Khan, chief executive officer of Dubizzle Group UAE. “Rent is one of the largest recurring expenses for most households, yet the payment experience has traditionally offered very little flexibility.”
The investment was made through Dubizzle Group Ventures, the firm’s venture arm focused on early-stage technology startups across the Gulf. Head of investments Surya Raviganesh said the company is targeting startups that can scale alongside its platforms and tap into its user base, which reaches roughly half the UAE population each month.
For landlords and agents, the integration could improve tenant retention and enhance property appeal, particularly in a competitive rental market where service differentiation is becoming increasingly important.
The partnership reflects a broader shift in property technology, where platforms are embedding payments, financing and rewards into the rental journey to unlock new revenue streams and user engagement.