Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with various business hubs of different industries. It comes as no surprise that the city’s population continues to grow, along with its traffic. The city offers a bright future and professional opportunities to every expat that lands in the UAE. Just like most of the Dubai residents, we’re expats, and as real estate professionals the first question in our minds was: ‘where will I live?’ We’ve developed a step by step guide to help you rent a property in Dubai.
Rent a property in Dubai: start online
First thing’s first, you need to find the right match for you. Begin your journey by searching online. A good place to start are the major property portals like Houza, Bayut and Property Finder. You’ll find an array of properties through these platforms. However, you can also search directly through real estate agencies like Betterhomes, Linda’s and A&Co Real Estate. Real estate brokers can assist you to rent a property in Dubai.
The property portals, along with the real estate websites provide extensive information about the properties. The location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, along with an area description is available. This may seem obvious, but a lot of property seekers disregard the description and can have a disappointing experience during their viewing.
Make sure to go over the property thoroughly, especially the area; this will give you a better understanding of the community and where the property is located. There are many communities in Dubai that you can look into, most are family friendly, but if you’re not sure where to start, check out this area guide to have a better idea of what’s within the best family friendly communities in Dubai.
The viewing
After you’ve found a property that you’re interested in and have submitted an enquiry, the real estate agent in charge of the property will get in touch with you. Schedule a viewing at your earliest convenience, this is a task you do not want to procrastinate on, as there are many expats who are also seeking a nice and cozy apartment, villa or townhouse to live in.
Once you’re in the property, take your time to walk around and explore every corner. It will be your home, after all, so get to know it before you commit to a long-term lease and rent a property in Dubai.
Your agent will be present to guide you, so ask as many questions as you can.
Attention to detail is important during a property viewing, here’s a list of things to watch out for:
- Fixtures and hinges. Make sure that they’re in good condition. Test door and cabinet handles.
- Are the rooms spacious enough for you? The last thing you want is to find out your belongings do not fit after you’ve moved in.
- Is it a fixer upper? Make sure everything is in prime condition. Even if the home maintenance cost does not fall on the tenant, appliance malfunctions can be a nuisance, so try to avoid it at all costs, no pun intended.
- Is the plumbing working well?
- Are there designated parking spots?
- Is the building or villa equipped with security measures?
If you rule a favorable answer for all six questions listed above, chances are that you have found a suitable property for you and your family.
The offer
After you’ve found an appealing home and in pristine condition that you can see yourself living in for at least a year, it’s time to make an offer. The asking price is your threshold, nevertheless you can engage in a negotiation with the landlord and ask for a price reduction. Your real estate agent is your best advisor, so trust in what he/she recommends.
Most contracts have quarter or bi-annnual payment terms, but landlords are not against reducing the asking price if you’re able to pay rent in fewer cheques. Once both pirates (yourself and the landlord) have agreed on a price, you’ll be able to move forward with the process and rent a property in Dubai.
Move fast: reserve your property
Real estate is a fast paced business. Properties can have up to 3 agents assigned looking to let it as soon as possible. Make sure to pay the reservation security deposit at your earliest convenience. A 5% rate or one month rent can secure the property for you.
Be advised, if you decide to back out of the deal, the agent holding on to the security deposit, will hand it to the landlord as compensation. So what will you need to complete the reservation of the property?
- Passport copy
- A residence visa copy or document from your employer stating that your visa is being processed.
In case you’re not ready to commit to a long-term lease or don’t have a residence visa to rent a property in Dubai for a year, you can always try a short-term rental.
Sign the contract
After you submit the security deposit and agree on an asking price, it is time to sign the tenancy agreement and rent a property in Dubai. Make sure the contract is in accordance with the RERA tenancy laws. Review these to fully understand what you’re entitled to.
Make sure to thoroughly read over the contract. You can suggest additional clauses or changes to the landlord, as long as both parties are in mutual agreement. Go over the contract with your agent and request special advisory from his/her part in case you need it.
Once you’re sure about the contract, you can sign and rent a property in Dubai.
Welcome to the UAE!
