Dubai is a centre of business activities, providing multiple and remunerative employment opportunities. People from all across the world move to Dubai in search of these opportunities. To accommodate this growing population, Dubai offers a wide variety of residential properties ranging from skyscrapers to villas. Expats can rent these properties, but selecting an adequate option requires sound knowledge of the Emirate and also multiple legal steps attached to renting.
Here we will elaborate on how to rent a property in Dubai and all the legal requirements you must fulfil.
Steps for Renting Property in Dubai
Following are all the steps involved in renting a property in Dubai, which will help you find an appropriate residence for yourself.
Calculate the Cost
The first step in the Dubai rent procedure is to draft your budget according to your income and to clearly understand the overall cost. Prior to budgeting, remember that the rent amount isn’t the only expense; you need to consider some other hidden rent costs in Dubai as well.
Tenants must pay their rent through post-dated cheques for the contract term. Other than that, a 5% to 10% security deposit, moving fees and agency fees (if any) are also involved. If you opt for Real Estate Services Trustees Centres, it will cost you AED 239.75 (including VAT).
The aforementioned payments are made before moving into the residence. Once you move in, you have to open a DEWA account and pay activation fees of AED 130 for small metres and AED 330 for large metres. Also, a refundable DEWA deposit is AED 4,000 for villas and AED 2,000 for apartments. UAE nationals having Thuker and Sanad cards are entitled to a 50% discount on activation charges.
Shortlist Available Options
After planning your budget, it’s time to shortlist the areas and types of residential buildings you want to live in. The most convenient option is through a well-known online portal like dubizzle. dubizzle provides multiple filters and a wide range of property options. You can filter out the most suited property using the platform for finding rental properties in Dubai within no time.
Dubai real estate offers a wide range of property types to cater to a varied audience. If the tenant is a single person living on a budget, renting a studio apartment in Dubai is a more feasible option. These apartments have airy living space, making them suitable and affordable for a single person.
However, if you are not budget constrained and live with a family, renting a villa in Dubai will provide you with enough space to accommodate all the family members. Alongside space, villas are also suitable for inviting guests, arranging parties and outdoor activities within the house.
Here are some top areas to rent luxury villas in Dubai that you can opt for.
Once you have selected the property type, use filters and extract more information regarding the building and surrounding area. You can use the call or email option to book a visit. Visiting every shortlisted building can be overwhelming, but the right filters can show the closest match.
Ask the Right Questions
Prepare a draft of questions you want to ask the agent and keep the following considerations in mind:
- Does the unit require any maintenance?
- Does it have enough natural light, and the view is worth the rent?
- Ensure tenants get their parking spots, as using public car parking in Dubai is an additional cost.
- If you do not have a car, check for the nearby public transport options.
- Is the building pet-friendly or not?
- Is the neighbourhood peaceful?
- Is the chiller included in the rent, or do you have to pay an additional amount?
Aside from the above-mentioned questions, here are some questions to ask from neighbours after moving in that will help you understand the community.
Negotiate Prices and Terms
The process of negotiation starts by visiting different properties in a specific area and estimating the rent range as per the property type. There are a number of properties listed on dubizzle that you can opt for. Aside from these properties, dubizzle also has verified property listings for the user’s convenience.
Once you have decided on the property type and estimated the value, negotiate the rent. The tenant has to pay the agreed amount in the form of post-dated cheques as per the tenure of the contract.
The tenure of the contract can be from a few months to several years, depending on the mutual understanding between the parties. Generally, landlords lower the rent in the case of an annual contract. However, if you are not interested in renting a property for a longer period, opt for short-term renting in Dubai.
While deciding on the rent, you can also negotiate over other terms. For instance, if any repair or maintenance work is required, ask your agent to get it done before moving in.
Reserve the Property
For reserving a property in Dubai, tenants must pay a security deposit equal to one month of rent or 5% of the annual rent. This security deposit will be refunded when the tenant leaves the property. If tenants leave the deal under any circumstances, the deposit amount will be given to the landlord as compensation. However, there are some ways to get a security deposit refund from the landlord in Dubai.
Legalities to Rent Property in Dubai
To safeguard the rights of landlords and tenants, multiple legalities are involved in the Dubai rent procedure. Here are the complete details of the legalities tenants should be aware of.
Sign the Tenancy Agreement
According to Law No. 26 of 2007, the tenant and landlord’s relationship shall be governed by a written agreement that includes all the necessary details. Provide the agent with the following documents for drafting the tenancy agreement.
- Residence visa copy
- Passport copy
Before signing the contract, read about the rights and obligations of tenants in Dubai. You can also review the tenancy contract signing checklist before finalising the deal. Once you have signed and made the payment, the tenant contract must be registered with Ejari. The documents required for the Ejari registration include
- Title deed (from landlord)
- Copy of tenant’s Emirates ID
- Passport copies (tenant and landlord)
- Original tenancy contract
Along with this registration, some communities also ask the tenant to fill out the move-in form prior to shifting.
DEWA Connection
Before moving in, tenants must request DEWA for electricity and water connection. Following are the documents that will be required for submitting your application to DEWA:
- Ejari number
- DEWA premise number
- Landlord’s passport copy
- Landlord’s passport copy
- Copy of Tenant’s passport and Emirates ID
- Completed DEWA form
FAQs
Is renting a property in Dubai easy?
Yes, renting a property in Dubai is easy if you opt for dubizzle. dubizzle is an online platform that provides you with a wide range of properties available for rent across the Emirate.
What do I need to rent a property in Dubai?
For renting a property in Dubai, all you need is a valid passport, Emirates ID and residence visa.
What is the fine for not having an Emirates ID?
If you fail to renew your Emirates ID, an AED 20/day fine will be charged until the ID is renewed.
This was the complete guide to renting a property in Dubai. We hope that our guide will help you in searching for your dream home in Dubai. If you are completely new to the Emirate, it is better to gain some knowledge about the rental market of Dubai. Browse through our H1 2023 Dubai rental market report and learn all about the rental market of the Emirates.
Besides, read through our blog for more tips on renting a property in Dubai for the first time and learn some tactics for the rental market.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for more information on how to rent your property in Dubai.
