House & Rentals

House rentals

In the UAE house rentals are a bit pricy compared with other countries. It is important to keep in mind that Dubai is the most expensive city and Abu Dhabi comes in at a close second. The less expensive options are Sharjah, Fujairah, and Al Ain.

What options of accommodations are in the UAE?

There are different accommodation options expats can choose from. Choices range from high-rise apartments, villas within gated complexes, and townhouses. In general, UAE rental contracts last one year. However, fines can be applied if the lodging is damaged. The majority of landlords require income statements, including up to three months’ rent as an upfront deposit. In order to avoid scams, we highly recommend seeing a property in person before signing the rental contract!

What are the prices of accommodation in the UAE?

The average rent in the UAE ranges between 30,000 to 50,000 AED (8,100 to 13,600 USD and 6,900 to 11,500 EU) per year for a studio apartment. One-and two-bedroom apartments range between 70,000 and 100,000 AED (19,000–27,220 USD and 16,000 – 29,900 EU).

In general, utilities are not included in the rental price. The utilities will need to be set up with the authority in the chosen emirate. The estimation for utilities can range from 500–600 AED (136–163 USD or 115-137 EU) per month.

What are the steps to finding a house in the UAE?

It is crucial to make extensive research of possible accommodations available. We recommend checking the location first. Depending on the location, the prices differ. It is important to keep in mind that cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are crowded and nosy.

Next, we highly advise visiting a property upon arrival in the UAE and do not sign a contract before seeing the chosen accommodation. Please, avoid house viewings by only checking the photos or video calls.

Also, hiring an agent can be a solution for expats, who are not confident arranging a house independently. Hiring a real estate agent can assure you convenience and a smooth process. For instance, the agent can help expats find a rental property that is meeting their wishes and negotiate a good rate.

What kind of documents are needed for renting?

According to real estate agents, these are the documents needed for arranging the rental:

1. A passport;
2. A copy of residence visa;
3. If married – marriage certificate;
4. Work contract or salary certificate;
5. Bank statement.