Dubai Rental Property Guide

Dubai remains a desirable destination for people wishing to live in one of the most developing countries in the world, and realize their dreams due to a wide range of job opportunities and business ventures. One of the most important steps while moving to another country is finding an appropriate residential unit to live in. In this article we will tell you about the process of renting a property in Dubai, as well as about the most expensive and affordable areas in the emirate.

You can start looking for an apartment or villa in Dubai online, including our website. Choose which property you want to rent – it can be an apartment, townhouse, penthouse, or a villa if you are looking for more space.

Try to take into consideration only those areas which are close to your place of work to save time on the road. Don’t forget to learn more about the closest educational institutions and medical clinics if you have children. Proximity to entertainment and leisure facilities, as well as to the Arabian Gulf, might also be important to you, depending on what you like to do in your spare time.

Before taking the final decision about the area, try to find out more about supermarkets, pharmacies and shopping malls, located within close proximity to the building. Check if the area has outdoor spaces and if there are children’s playgrounds and sports facilities within the vicinity.

Moreover, try to research different travel routes in the area to avoid losing time on the road travelling to or from work/home if it is a busy road connection. This can be done by visiting the neighbourhood which interests you, at various times of the day.

If you are wanting to experience a luxurious lifestyle in Dubai and have access to a great number of amenities located on the territory of your future home, as well as in the surroundings, you should take into consideration the following areas.

Note: The residential rental prices in Dubai have grown by 23.7% in 2022, with the highest growth seen on Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai (39.8% and 38.4% respectively).

If you are looking for the least expensive areas in Dubai to rent an apartment or villa, you might be interested in the following areas.

Visiting the residential unit you are planning to live in is quite important. Prepare any questions beforehand and try to come earlier to walk through the area. Examine the residential unit properly and check if enough natural light gets inside the property. Ask yourself the following questions: are the rooms spacious enough for you and your family, which views are offered, are there parking spaces in the basement of the building or nearby, which amenities are offered to residents, and much more.

If you meet any residents of the development you visit, you can try to ask their opinion about the building to learn more about its benefits and drawbacks. It’s better to visit several apartments and villas before making a final decision. However, keep in mind that good options are in high demand and sometimes you need to make a decision as quickly as possible to get the unit you want.

After choosing the property corresponding to your needs, you need to reserve it. For this procedure, you need a copy of your passport and resident visa. A future tenant should pay a refundable security deposit, which is usually 5% of the total rental cost or one month’s rent. Don’t forget to take a receipt. If you are going through a real estate agent, usually he/she holds the deposit and gives it to the property owner when the deal is finalised. If you change your mind, the deposit will become the landlord’s compensation.

After the security deposit is paid, you will obtain the tenancy contract, which should be in accordance with Dubai tenancy laws. A tenant and landlord can add clauses in the agreement. Read it carefully before signing. In case of any questions, ask your real estate agent for help. Sign the contract, pay the agency commission to the agent and rent cheques. One copy of the contact is given to the tenant, and one to the property owner. Don’t forget to ask for receipts for every payment that you make.

You or your real estate agent should check that all service chargers have been settled before you move in. Any maintenance issues should be resolved before signing the contract. Don’t forget to check for all keys and swipe cards that are given to you, as well as turn on all the facilities to test that they’re all in a good working condition.

Note: Opening a bank account in an Emirati bank is an important step which is needed for day-to-day needs, paying rent for an apartment, as well as for saving purposes and much more. You can find more information about opening a bank account for expats in Dubai in this article.

After making your final decision and choosing the property of your dreams, you should take into consideration rental prices. Thus, the majority of contracts offer quarterly or bi-annual payment terms. However, if you want a landlord to lower the annual rental cost, it’s better to pay in less cheques.

➡️   Main Fees & Deposits

You should be prepared for additional costs while renting a property in Dubai. Among them are agency fees, which are 2–5% of the annual rental cost for residential properties. Real estate professionals can help you to save your time and provide you with the latest information about the real estate market of the emirate. Experts will also secure your tenancy contract and protect your interests.

A security deposit protects the landlord in case of any damages to the property. It’s usually 5% of the annual rental price for unfurnished units, and 10% for furnished apartments and villas. Such deposits are refundable, however, in order to avoid problems in the future and get the full deposit back, read carefully the information about the repairs in the contract. Usually the landlord is responsible for all the repairs which exceed AED 200 (USD 55). Repair any holes in the walls before moving out and record all the repairs you do throughout your period of stay.

Due to the fact that all tenancy contracts should be filed in the Ejari system, which is supervised by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), you will also need to pay the Ejari Registration Fee, which is AED 220 (USD 55). The application of the Ejari can be made online, through the website or the mobile app, as well as at Ejari authorised typing centers. Keep in mind that if you visit the center, you will need to pay an additional AED 40 (USD 11) for typing services.

➡️   Communal Payments

After registering in the Ejari system, you should apply for a DEWA – Dubai Water & Electricity Authority connection, and then pay a refundable security deposit is AED 2,000 (USD 545) for apartments and AED 4,000 (USD 1,100) for villas. Activation charges for this service is AED 110 (USD 30) for small properties such as apartments and AED 300 (USD 80) for bigger units such as villas and townhouses. The administrative fee is AED 30 (USD 8), while the connection and administrative fee is AED 230 (USD 63).

The housing fee is 5% of the annual rent, and is paid in 12 monthly installments. This is also known as the Dubai Municipality Fee, and is included in DEWA bills.

Keep an eye on air conditioning charges. Due to the high temperatures, it’s impossible to live in Dubai without air conditioning. If an AC meter is installed in the residential unit, the tenant pays for the consumption which is charged at a rate of AED 0.568 fils per RT per hour. The fuel surcharge and demand charge are billed monthly in advance. The rate of demand charge is AED 750 (USD 204) per RT annually. Be prepared for a security deposit and a charge for opening an account.

It’s advisable to choose a property with a professional real estate agent to avoid any risks and be able to rent the best residential unit. Metropolitan Premium Properties experts are ready to provide you with the latest information about the real estate market situation in Dubai, and offer units corresponding to your needs and budget in any area of the emirate.

We will also help you to prepare all the documents needed for the contract. In case you are the owner of the property in Dubai, our real estate agents are ready to provide you with property management services, find tenants, solve any the issues connected with this process, collect rental cheques, and transfer them to your bank account.