Things to consider before renting a property in Dubai
Renting property in Dubai can be a big commitment – with a rent cheque system often requiring you to pay a substantial proportion of your rent upfront. Therefore, it is extremely important that you are certain before you make the move. There are several factors to consider when renting a property in Dubai and we’ve rounded them up for you. Our guide will help you be sure that the property you are signing up for is the right fit for you.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE RENTING A PROPERTY IN DUBAI
CHOOSE THE LOCATION CAREFULLY
When you look around for a property for rent in Dubai, location is one of the most important factors to consider. It is best to find somewhere closer to your work and other amenities you require, like schools, grocery stores, clinics etc.
Life will be a lot nicer if you are not spending all your hours commuting, sitting in traffic to get to work or school. And if you don’t drive, make sure your dream pad is closer to public transport.
LOOK FOR AMPLE PARKING SPACE
Another important aspect – check the parking situation at your chosen locality before renting a property in Dubai. A lot of apartment blocks only allocate one parking space per property, so if you have two or more cars, you need to check if your chosen property comes with sufficient parking spaces.
CONSIDER THE COMMUNITY – IS IT FAMILY FRIENDLY OR HAS AN ACTIVE NIGHTLIFE?
If you are a party animal, it is unlikely that you are going to gel with the neighbours if they are all families with young children, as they are liable to complain if you have regular noisy gatherings and wake up their sleeping children.
Conversely, if you like peace and quiet, a property under the airport flight path or above a busy strip of restaurants and closer to night spots is unlikely to be a good fit for you. If it’s family areas you are interested in, our guide to top residential places for families will give you a head start.
CHECK IF THE PROPERTY OFFERS MAINTENANCE
Some landlords and tenants have different ideas about tenants’ rights in Dubai, in terms of who should be responsible for property upkeep. Ensure your tenancy agreement tells you exactly what you are liable for – i.e. some landlords add clauses saying any maintenance jobs under AED 500 are the tenant’s responsibility. However, Article 16 of RERA property rent law implies that the landlord is responsible for maintenance, repair and any kind of restoration work at the property unless otherwise agreed.
Read your Dubai tenancy contract carefully before signing it to make sure you know when to call in the landlord or property management company. Also, take a good look around the communal areas of your building or property to assess the cleanliness and state of repair.
If you see a bit of a scruffy mess and obvious maintenance issues, it suggests a poor level of management, and it may be better to strike the property off your list.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS?
The rent may be within your budget, but what will your additional costs be? Air conditioning costs are usually in addition to your DEWA (water and electricity) bill, and they can be high in summer. If you are renting a two or three-bedroom unit, see if your agent can give you an investment and try to establish what your utility bills are likely to be.
If you rent a large space, see how well insulated it is and factor the possible cost into your living expenses. Also, private pools and real grass lawns are lovely but expensive to maintain. So don’t forget to ask your agent if they can get you an estimate for how much the upkeep will cost you each month.
IS THE AREA NOISY?
Once you have found a property you like, it’s a good idea to visit the place at different times of the day to find out if it’s too noisy or crowded. Trying out your journey to work or your children’s schools at rush hour can also help you make a sound decision.
WHAT’S THE PET POLICY?
If you are a pet parent, you must ensure your landlord is happy to host your furry friend. Ensure that the community or building where the property is has no pet-free policy.
DON’T FORGET TO CONSIDER YOUR RENTAL BUDGET
Your budget is one of the most important things to consider when renting in Dubai. Make sure you consider the hidden cost of house rentals in Dubai.
So make sure that your selected property falls within your allocated budget limit. Don’t forget that landlords can raise rents in line with the market conditions provided they abide by RERA rules. If you are lucky enough to receive a housing allowance, ensure you have 5 to 10% of the amount left at the top of your budget to manage any rent increases in future years.
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 1457 SQFT
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 1295 SQFT
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 939 SQFT
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 673 SQFT
- STUDIO
- |
- 1 BATH
- |
- 375 SQFT
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 1317 SQFT
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES IN THE AREA
Last but not least, those looking for a villa or flat for rent in Dubai should consider the practicalities of the area. Are there any nearby places to buy everyday groceries? Is it accessible for important things like sports facilities or gyms?
Or a cinema if you are a movie buff. If you don’t drive, having a minimart in your building or community can be a convenience for which you will be eternally grateful, particularly during the hot summer months. So don’t forget to check your preferred area’s surroundings before making the final call.
FAQS ABOUT RENTING A PROPERTY IN DUBAI
WHICH ARE THE MOST POPULAR AREAS TO RENT VILLAS IN DUBAI?
If you’re a big family and want to rent a villa in Dubai’s popular areas, you can consider Jumeirah, Al Barsha and Umm Suqeim. The villas in these areas come in configurations of three, four and five bedrooms. And the average rent for a 3-bed can cost you up to AED 166k annually.
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 1853 SQFT
- 4 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 2971 SQFT
- 4 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 3456 SQFT
I EARN BETWEEN AED 8K TO AED 12K. WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO RENT A PROPERTY IN DUBAI?
If you have a pay grade anywhere between AED 8k to AED 12k, you can rent a flat in JVC, Dubai Marina or JLT. You must also try to find the best areas to rent an apartment in Dubai based on your salary.
CAN MY LANDLORD RE-LET MT APARTMENT/VILLA AFTER EVICTING ME?
This depends on the reason given at the time of eviction.
- If the reason given for eviction is selling the property, moving in himself/herself or next of kin of first degree, the landlord cannot rent it again for at least two years.
- A landlord cannot evict a tenant to then re-let the property to someone else for a higher rent. If they do this, a penalty will be imposed (Unless the previous tenant signs an NOC).
And with that, we wrap our guide to things to consider when renting a property in Dubai. We hope this blog helps you navigate the world of property rentals in Dubai.
Want to buy instead? Take a look at the reasons for investing in off-plan properties in Dubai first.
Looking for the best areas to rent apartments in Dubai? Our guide lists the affordable and luxury flats in the city. The rent for an affordable studio in areas such as JVC is AED 30k on average.
And if you’re looking for a luxurious apartment to settle down, the rent for a one-bed unit in districts such as Dubai Marina is estimated at approximately AED 66k.
Worth reading,good material to know about places 🙂
Thanks Yasir for you kind words. We hope you enjoy the rest of the blog!