Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Home in the UAE

In the UAE, housing is easy to come by, and the average rent has fallen by around 30 percent in recent years. Yet, housing costs are still expensive, and tenants need to spend nearly half of their salary on rent alone. In the UAE, the Dubai and ABU Dhabi cities attract many people from all over the world. The population in the cities has increased substantially, creating demand for housing.

 

Not all UAE companies offer accommodation to their employees. While some do, some offer only an allowance.

 

In terms of expensiveness in housing costs in the UAE, Dubai comes the first, and Abu Dhabi the second. Sharjah, Fujairah, and Al Ain are less expensive.

 

What is remarkable is that you will find many types of houses in the UAE--high-rise apartments, villas within gated complexes, townhouses, one and two-bedroom apartments, studio apartments, etc.

 

In the UAE, rental contracts usually last one year, and if you break the contract prematurely, be prepared to pay a hefty fine. Many landlords demand a year’s worth of predated checks and an upfront deposit worth up to three months' rent.

 

 

There are many short-term rentals available in the UAE, and if you want to come down to the country and see and assess properties in person, it is a good idea to do so.

 

As there are plenty of houses to rent, you can easily find suitable accommodation quickly. Besides, you can also buy a house, if you want. You will find ample Dubai properties for sale.

 

Renting a House or Apartment

 

Renting a house in the UAE is a good idea, given the ample availability of rental properties. But, bear in mind that the option is a bit expensive.

 

Despite the attractive salaries in the UAE, the high rent will erode much of your earnings. The average rent for a studio apartment in the UAE ranges between AED 30,000 to 50,000 (USD 8,100 to 13,600) per year. Rents for one and two-bedroom houses range between AED 70,000 and 100,000 (AED 19,000–27,220).

 

In Dubai, you can expect the minimum rent at around AED 193,180 ( USD 52,590) for a home with three bedrooms and AED 298,640 (USD 81,300 USD) for a five-bedroom house. In Abu Dhabi, the average rent for a three-bedroom house is at AED 168,180 (USD 45,785), and for a five-bedroom home, the average rent is around AED 305,910(USD 83,280).

 

How to Find a House in the UAE?

 

With the ample availability of houses in the UAE, you can find a home for you and your family with ease.

 

The renting process and the associated rules are the same across the seven emirates in the UAE. But, there can be small differences when it comes to deposits.

 

When you go ahead in searching for a house for rent in the country, proceed through the following steps:

Arrive in the Country

 

The first step is arriving in the country. Although you can rent an apartment through property websites, it is advisable to visit the property to see it in person. There are many things to consider before renting a house, such as a good locality, surrounding traffic, public transportation facilities nearby, etc. As renting is an expensive affair in the country and rent contracts last for an entire year, make sure you rent the right property. Do not sign the rental agreement if you are not satisfied with the property.

Search Online

 

You can start your search by visiting property websites. But, keep in mind that pictures of houses on such websites always look great, but you cannot figure out many aspects from the images alone, such as whether the traffic is heavy or light in the nearby areas. You can assess such things only in person.

 

Hire an Agent

 

It is a good idea to hire a real estate agent to help you search for a house for renting in the UAE. Ensure that the agent is registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency. Bear in mind that in some cities, such as Dubai, it is illegal to deal with unauthorized agents. Besides, the agent is responsible for handling the paperwork. So, hire the right real estate agent to find you a perfect property and negotiate with the landlord to strike a good deal for you.

Keep Your Documents Ready
 

You will need the following documents for renting a property in the UAE--your passport, a copy of your residence visa, a marriage certificate attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if married, a work contract/salary certificate, and a bank statement. So, keep these documents ready beforehand.

Rental Contract

In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you need to register rental contracts with local authorities. There is a possibility of the requirement becoming a standard in all the seven emirates in the UAE. So, before entering into a rental contract, check with your real estate agent about rental contract requirements in that emirate.