Should you rent an apartment or villa in Dubai?
While Dubai boasts various types of residential properties, the apartments and villas in the city continue to be the most popular with tenants. With these properties available in various styles, locations and budgets, residents may face a dilemma when renting an apartment or villa in Dubai.
If you’re deciding between living in an apartment vs a villa, we’ve rounded up some of the most important factors to consider before you make a decision.
Things to consider about renting an apartment or villa in Dubai
Before you decide between a stylish and luxurious rental apartment in Dubai Marina or an opulent villa in Dubai Hills Estate, take a look at some of the most important factors that will influence your decision.
Price
Your budget is the most crucial factor in the decision on renting apartments vs villas in Dubai. On the whole, villas tend to command a higher rental price than apartments in Dubai.
COST OF RENTING APARTMENTS IN DUBAI
Apartments for rent are popular among young professionals and families alike as the buildings offer top-notch amenities along with a strategic location.
BUR DUBAI: A BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION
Those on the lookout for budget-friendly flats for rent, Bur Dubai is one of the top options. The average annual cost to rent flats in Bur Dubai is:
- AED 44k for studios
- AED 80k for 1-bedroom flats
- AED 110k for 2-bedroom apartments
- AED 149k for 3-bedroom units
JUMEIRAH VILLAGE CIRCLE (JVC): A GREAT MID-TIER CHOICE
For mid-tier apartments for rent in Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) offers great value for money. The average yearly rental cost is:
- AED 53k for studios
- AED 77k for 1-bedroom units
- AED 117k for 2-bedroom apartments
- AED 163k for 3-bedroom apartments for rent in JVC
DUBAI MARINA: LUXURY AT ITS FINEST
In Dubai Marina, one of the emirate’s most luxurious neighbourhoods, the average annual rent amounts to:
- AED 70k for studios
- AED 102k for 1-bedroom
- AED 157k for 2-bedroom units
- AED 236k for 3-bedroom apartments
VILLAS FOR RENT IN DUBAI
For villas, the average annual rental cost is noticeably higher. Here are the prices for various areas in the emirate.
DAMAC HILLS 2: AFFORDABLE FAMILY LIVING
Those searching for affordable villas for rent in Dubai will find DAMAC Hills 2 an excellent option. The average annual rental cost here is:
- AED 109k for 3-bed villas
- AED 133k for 4-bedroom villas
- AED 151k for 5-bedroom homes
- AED 235k for 6-bedroom units
AL FURJAN: A WELL-CONNECTED MID-TIER COMMUNITY
For mid-tier villas for rent in Dubai, Al Furjan is one of the most popular choices. The average yearly rent for villas in Al Furjan is:
- AED 237k for 3-bedroom villas
- AED 340k for 4-bedroom villa units
- AED 473k for 5-bedroom homes
- AED 452k for 6-bedroom villas
DUBAI HILLS ESTATE: LUXURY AT ITS PEAK
Dubai Hills Estate is the go-to community for premium villas for rent in Dubai. The average annual rental cost here is:
- AED 364k for 3-bed villas
- AED 373k for 4-bedroom villas
- AED 804k for 5-bedroom villas
- AED 2.38M for airy 6-bedroom villas
This variation shows how the villa or apartment rental cost in Dubai can differ depending on the property type and location. Hence, one of the first things to determine when deciding between villas or apartments for rent in Dubai is how much you are willing to spend.
Location
Location is another thing to keep in mind when renting apartments vs villas for rent in Dubai. While many areas in the emirate offer a diverse selection of rental properties, some areas are more limited.
For instance, the older neighbourhood of Bur Dubai is known for its central location. It almost exclusively offers apartments, with only a handful of rental villas available. Alternatively, areas like DAMAC Hills 2 is known for reasonably priced villas and townhouses, despite having a good mix of residential flats.
For mid-tier options, JVC is popular with renters for its well-priced apartments. But those looking for villas, Al Furjan is the ideal option. The area is known for its family-friendly living and offers an array of amenities such as parks, cycling tracks, schools and much more.
Al Furjan offers excellent connectivity as it’s located between Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).
At the luxury end, Dubai Marina is one of the most in-demand districts for apartments, while Dubai Hills Estate is highly sought-after for premium villas.
So, your choice between Dubai apartment rentals vs villa rentals will also depend on your preferred community and lifestyle.
Besides these areas, other suburban communities such as Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Silicon Oasis offer a mix of apartments, villas and townhouses.
Thus, whether you rent an apartment or villa in Dubai will also depend on your neighbourhood of choice. It’s a good idea to research the kind of properties available in your preferred areas, which you can do using our comprehensive Area Guides.
Maintenance costs
When it comes to deciding between an apartment or villa, it’s not just the annual rent you have to consider. You also need to take into account the additional apartment or villa expenses that include maintenance and service charges in Dubai, which can significantly vary.
The cost of maintaining a villa in Dubai is generally higher than that of an apartment. Since villas usually have larger built-up areas, you are more likely to spend more on furnishing and upkeep compared to an apartment.
Many villas also come with gardens and private pools, which increase cleaning and maintenance costs, as most residents hire a gardener and sometimes additional housekeeping staff.
To give you an idea, here are some of the average yearly maintenance costs for villas in Dubai:
- Pool cleaning: AED 4,000 to AED 6,000 per year
- Landscaping and gardening: AED 3,000 to AED 8,000 per year
- Utility bills: Higher in villas, particularly in summer, due to cooling if district cooling is not available.
Apartments, on the other hand, are easier to manage with smaller spaces, lower upkeep requirements and lower monthly DEWA bills.
You should also factor in the charges for setting up utilities with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority DEWA. The security deposit is AED 4,000 for villas and AED 2,000 for apartments. In addition, there are fixed connection activation charges such as:
- AED 100 for connecting electricity and water (small meters)
- AED 300 for connecting electricity and water (large meters)
- AED 10 for registration fee
- AED 10 for knowledge fee
- AED 10 for innovation fee
Overall, villas can cost two to three times more in annual maintenance and utility expenses compared to apartments in Dubai. Check the latest service charges through the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) Services Fee Indicator on the official website.
It’s essential to keep the difference between the various maintenance costs in mind when determining a budget for your property.
Lifestyle
If you are debating between a villa or apartment, which is better in Dubai, it’s important to keep your lifestyle in mind. When considering these two property types, you’ll need to decide whether your priority is privacy or convenience. Apartment towers are typically more centrally located and closer to leisure and commercial hubs.
On the other hand, villas are located in primarily residential areas or gated communities where amenities and entertainment may be located farther away.
These villas for rent in Dubai may be ideal for families, with a quiet environment to bring up the kids. However, a single professional looking to live close to their workplace or a couple wanting to be near restaurants, bars and entertainment options will prefer the convenience of apartment living.
If you would prefer a private outdoor space, a villa or townhouse would be the right choice for you. However, social butterflies may prefer apartment complexes, which offer residents more opportunities to socialise with their neighbours!
Popular villa communities such as Dubai Hills Estate or The Springs also house schools and nurseries, making them a good choice for families.
However, budget-conscious tenants can also opt for apartments in integrated communities such as Bur Dubai or Jumeirah Village Circle, which feature both property types and also have schools in the area.
Ultimately, the choice between renting apartments vs villas in Dubai largely depends on your lifestyle.
Views
While this may seem less important than the other factors on this list, surrounding views do contribute to the vibe and feel of your home! Some luxury apartments in Dubai come with unparalleled views for the lucky tenants to enjoy, although these do go for a higher rental price.
You can choose the apartments in Jumeirah Beach Residence for sweeping sea views or the apartments for rent in Dubai Marina for panoramic views of the skyline.
On the other hand, tenants of most Dubai villas will enjoy charming views of their neighbourhood. Those willing to pay higher rents can experience lake, garden or golf course views if they live in a villa community.
So, the choice between villas vs apartments in Dubai depends on your personal preference – do you enjoy views of sparkling cityscapes or idyllic lakes?
Amenities
So, which is better – a villa or apartment in Dubai? You should look at the amenities and facilities you’ll have access to. Those who rely on public transport, such as the Dubai Metro to commute to work will most definitely prefer an apartment, as nearly all villa communities are located further away from the metro line.
Apartment towers typically have an attached grocery store, salon or laundry service at the ground level or nearby. However, those living in independent villas will likely have to drive a short distance before they get to the nearest supermarket or mall.
Similarly, gated villa communities will also feature a community centre with these facilities, which may not be so easily accessible on foot.
Finally, most apartment towers in Dubai offer access to shared facilities such as gymnasium, pool and play areas for kids, which may not be available in an independent, standalone villa.
Luxury villa communities like Dubai Hills Estate, boast extensive facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, football grounds, jogging tracks and community lawns, although tenants can expect to pay more for these villas.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to rent an apartment or villa in Dubai?
Apartments are generally more affordable, with average annual rents starting from AED 44k in areas like Bur Dubai. Villas tend to be more expensive, especially in upscale areas such as Dubai Hills Estate, where rents can go up to millions for larger homes.
What additional costs should I consider when renting a villa in Dubai?
Villas usually come with higher maintenance expenses, including pool cleaning, gardening and larger utility bills. Tenants also need to pay a DEWA security deposit of AED 4,000, compared to AED 2,000 for apartments, In addition to the connection and service fees.
Which is better for families, apartments or villas for rent in Dubai?
Villas are often preferred by families due to larger spaces, gardens and proximity to schools in communities like Al Furjan or Dubai Hills Estate. However, apartments in areas such as JVC or Bur Dubai also offer family-friendly facilities and better access to public transport.
That’s our guide on choosing between Dubai apartments or villas for rent! As you can see, there are many factors to take into account when deciding between renting an apartment or villa in Dubai, especially your lifestyle and budget. No matter what you choose, there are several movers and packers in Dubai that will come in handy if you decide to move.
You can also consider the cost of living in Dubai to help you determine the amount you need to spend a comfortable life.
If you’re still unsure of whether to invest or rent a property in Dubai, know that the city ensures a healthy relationship between tenants and landlords. There is an array of tenant responsibilities that renters are obliged and in case of any disagreement, they can always file for rent dispute in Dubai.
