Renting a Property in Dubai

They say ‘all that glitter is not gold’ - a timeless adage that compels the people to eat their bullet of false expectations. While it’s an undeniable fact that as a multicultural hub of commercial activity, Dubai is a favorite amongst those looking for rewarding career opportunities and the ‘good’ life. It’s equally true that with thousands of properties available for sale and rent, anyone can be prone to commit gravest mistakes by believing in their incorrect propositions.

Over the years, Dubai has shown considerable growth in all sectors. The vibrant city is absolutely bursting with residential properties to accommodate its burgeoning population. This has not only accelerated the maturity of property investment in the city of gold but also increased the demands for the people looking for rental properties. However, with opportunities come misfortunes as well.

So, if you are a newbie and also the one that easily believes what he sees, this article has got you covered! Whether you are searching for studios, villas or apartments for rent in Dubai, read these tips and remain vigilant throughout the whole process so as to avoid any remorse.

Search & Shortlist Property Listings

The most significant rule for renting a property in Dubai includes quick online research. While many people remain in their fallacies that hiring a real estate agent would be sufficient to ace this journey. However, there lie some responsibilities on your shoulders as well. There are many websites available that can help you find a house in Dubai. Most of them give the following information:

• Annual rent of the property
• Number of cheques
• Number of rooms
• Furnished or unfurnished
• Facilities
• Property descriptions
• Site of the apartment or the villa for rent in Dubai

You should have a general idea of whether you want an apartment or villa for rent, what is your budget, how many rooms you need in your home and the desired location. You can also narrow down your research on these websites by applying filters such as budget, property type, location and number of bedrooms to see only relevant listings.

Visit the Property

Many people start building castles in the air the moment they see the property in the pictures. This does not end here. You need to head out to the area or property in which you are interested with your agent. Moreover, keep a list of factors to consider with you.

Try to reach a little early and spend some time searching for the locality. Inspect the property as thoroughly as you can and plan a second visit at a different time to get a better insight to get the idea of what it would be like to live there.

Make an offer

Once you are done with your research and decide a home of your choice, it is time to finalize the offer. Many people with a tight budget would break their bank in a wish to live in the property they always dream about. Keep your head above the water by facing reality and go for the ones that meet your financial expectations.

While making an offer, you should know that landlords usually agree on dropping the annual rent if you can pay the amount in some cheques. However, before committing to a single-cheque arrangement, make sure you’re ready to stay in the house for some time, otherwise, you could suffer a setback. On the other hand, if you’re uncertain about the unit or the locality, or merely need a bit more flexibility, you can select short-term rentals instead.

Reserve the Property

To reserve the property, you will have to pay a refundable security deposit (one month’s rent) written out to your landlord. If you’re taking help from a real estate agent, they will usually hold onto this amount until the deal is finalized. In case you wish to back out of the deal for any purpose, the agent will hand over this security deposit amount to your landowner.

Required Documents

• Passport copy
• Residence Visa copy

Don’t rush while moving into your new house as renting a property in Dubai is not a piece of cake. Click various pictures of the vacant property so that you can claim the security deposit amount in full by the end of your tenancy contract. Ask for a receipt as well once you make the security deposit payment. You need to retain this along with a copy of the landlord’s passport.

Review & Sign the Tenancy Contract

Before you sign the tenancy contract, you would be expecting that the whole process is now smooth and plain but it’s not. You need to consider the following things before you take a plunge:

• Make sure that all service charges have been resolved by the landlord before you plan to move in. Your agent should check this and get it in writing as well.
• In case of any maintenance issues, get them fixed before you move in.
• Check access points in the building and acquire all the necessary swipe cards and keys.
• Check if the amenities in your apartment building are in proper condition and ensure that you get everything stated in the contract or by the broker/landlord.

In a nutshell, renting properties in Dubai is a very daunting task. However, with little prudence and a modicum of external support, people can avoid landing themselves in troubled waters.