The Ultimate Guide to Renting an Apartment in Dubai Everything You Should Know

The city of Dubai is known for its variety of amenities and luxuries and hence it is ranked among the smartest cities in the world. Think about the property for rent in Dubai then open several other gateways for people who visit this place with dreams and aspirations. The opportunities here are endless including investing, lifestyle, career opportunities, and security to name a few. Whether you want to rent an apartment in Dubai or planning to purchase one, you have to follow the initiatives and laws related to real estate. Furthermore, the flexible options and availability of Dubai rental properties like short-term rentals allow many to make it a preferable choice. In this blog, we will provide you with information regarding how to rent an apartment in Dubai.

Ultimate Guide to Renting Property in Dubai

Renting a property has become a popular choice for many. Tourists and corporate officers visiting Dubai prefer to rent. Moreover, expats and nationals working in Dubai can also find long- and short-term rentals.  However, if you are new to the Emirate, this comprehensive guide to renting properties in Dubai will help you understand the laws, regulations, criteria, contracts, and processes involved.

Beginners Guide to Choose Property for Rent in Dubai

1. Setting Your Budget

The first important step for choosing property for rent in Dubai is to have information regarding Dubai’s cost of living. The important aspect that goes beyond basic rent includes additional expenses such as maintenance fees and utilities. When you are planning to rent an apartment in Dubai consider an accurate budget assessment before moving ahead. 

The luxurious lifestyle of Dubai is incomplete without the inclusion of several amenities. While searching for property for rent in Dubai identify the non-negotiables and priorities. This way you can find a living space according to your preferences. There are many must-haves to consider that help you ease up your decision-making process. These include proximity to locations, a gym, or a swimming pool when choosing a rental house in Dubai. Hence, you can make the most of the fulfilling experience of living in Dubai and rent an apartment in Dubai with an effective decision-making process. 

2. Search and Shortlist Property Listings

So, if you are looking for property for rent in Dubai, one of the options is to search for property online. One way to do so is to check out Goyzer and search for the availability of Dubai rental houses according to your available budget and preferences. Examples of residential properties in Dubai include hotel apartments, apartments, townhouses, villas, residential plots, and penthouses. Upon identifying the properties, you can get knowledge regarding several aspects of property for rent in Dubai. 

3. Visit the Property

Once you have searched the property for rent in Dubai, now in the third phase it is important to visit one. While visiting it see whether the Dubai rental property needs maintenance of any kind. Furthermore, check whether the apartment meets all your requirements or not. 

4. Property Search

If you are searching for property for rent in Dubai then you should go through various neighborhoods in Dubai. To streamline your quest for searching Dubai rental houses, participate in the community, leverage online platforms, and engage with real estate agents. You can gain valuable insights and uncover hidden gems in several areas within the metropolis. There are many effective considerations and tips regarding visits to Dubai rental property. To access the vibe of the neighborhood, evaluate potential homes, and evaluate the practical aspects. Such strategies ensure the navigation of the dynamic real estate landscape in Dubai for a well-informed decision. 

5. RERA Rent Calculator

Once you visit the property for rent in Dubai you can use the RERA rent calculator to discover the average rent. For example, if you are looking to rent a studio apartment in Dubai’s DAMAC Hills, you can look for its rental index, ranging from annual AED 36,000 to AED 44,000. These should be according to the rental index calculator by RERA. This will help tenants to negotiate the rent as per the conditions of the property. Furthermore, landlords or tenants can take advantage of the lease valuation certificate in Dubai. The certificate will assist you in finding Dubai rental houses, according to the regulations of the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

6. Make An Offer

Finalizing or making an offer while searching for property for rent in Dubai is the next stage. Once you have decided and looked around for a villa or an apartment, you should know how to finalize an offer. While many contracts have bi-annual or quarterly terms of payment, usually the landlords agree to bring the annual rent lower if you are able to clear the payment in fewer cheques. But before making arrangements regarding a single check, make sure that you are ready to stay in the house for some time. Or else, renting an apartment in dubai may result in loss. If you require more flexibility or are unsure about the neighborhood or the unit, you can instead go for short-term rentals. You can gain an idea about it later in the blog when we comprehensively compare the differences between long-term and short-term leases. This will help you know what works for you and what does not regarding how to rent an apartment in Dubai.

Understanding Tenancy Contracts

While looking for property for rent in Dubai, you should focus on the tenancy contract as an important aspect. This includes intricate legal landscape navigation related to the city’s property lease. For a complete understanding, it is important to know aspects to watch out for and grasp key contract aspects. This includes knowing about common terms and conditions, like notice periods and security deposit specifics. Hence, when you gain proficiency in the lawful intricacies, you can move forward with the process in full confidence. Hence, you can ensure a transparent and secure Dubai rental property. 

Property Reservation

For reserving the property for rent in Dubai, you need to pay a refundable security deposit to your landlord. Usually, you have to pay 5% or a monthly rent as a tenant. If you are in contact with the real estate agent, they will ensure the deal gets finalized, until that time they withhold the payment. ensure to get the receipt while paying cash or depositing a cheque. If you want to get out of the agreement for any reason, the agent will approach your landlord and return your amount of security deposit as compensation to your landlord. Some of the documents that you would need for Dubai rental property. These include a security deposit, passport copy, and residence visa copy. 

Furthermore, take pictures of vacant areas of Dubai rental houses to claim a full security deposit once your tenancy contract comes to an end. As previously mentioned, once you have paid the security deposit, do not forget to take a receipt. Along with the passport of the landlord, you should also retain this as well.  

Laws of Tenancy 

The laws regarding Dubai rental houses from RERA regulate the relationship between the landlord and tenants. Furthermore, the rules regarding Dubai rental property have the following to say about lease contracts: 

• Talk about the term of rental villa tenancy for example. You will have to talk about the tenure of your contract with your landlord.
• While thinking about how to rent an apartment in Dubai, you have to check out the RERA rent calculator. However, landlords are liable to increase a maximum of 20% rent if the market value is 40% higher than the rental value. Furthermore, prior to increasing the rent, a landlord is liable to inform the tenant 90 days prior to the action to be taken. 
• The early exit clause also needs to be mentioned. This means that tenants can terminate their lease early if they do not get basic rights in the property for rent in Dubai.
• The tenancy laws indicate that landlords can also serve a notice of tenancy eviction in Dubai. In case, tenants cause any damage to the property or are unable to pay due bills or rent. 
• It is necessary to include a tenancy terms clause while drafting the agreement of the lease. 
• Before signing the tenancy contract, it is important to go through it thoroughly. Once the tenancy agreement is signed, both the tenant and landlord must register RERA’s Ejari system contract.

Signing and Reviewing the Tenancy Agreement

Once the security deposit regarding property for rent in Dubai is paid, the agent will share the tenancy contract with you. This contract needs to fulfill all the requirements of Dubai tenancy laws and before formalizing the contract, ensure you understand everything. Thus, it is necessary you have familiarity regarding tenant rights in Dubai. 

While buying Dubai rental property, both parties can add special clauses, provided that these are mutually agreed upon. Ensure that the contract is reviewed and if required also suggest the changes. You can go ahead with the contract if you feel comfortable with it. For this purpose, you should hire an agent who can assist you with any questions or concerns. 

Once you are ready submit the agency commission, tenancy contract, and rent cheques after signing. After making each payment, make sure to ask for the receipts. Once done, the agent will sign the tenancy contract that the landlord signed. Then he will hand over the cheques for the property for rent that you gave. Ensure that the acknowledgment receipt and copy of the contract are kept with you. One copy of the contract is handed usually to the landlord, while the other one is provided to the tenant. Subsequently, the agent gives you the access cards and the keys, once you have signed the form of acknowledgment. This way, you can have the legal right to enter into a Dubai rental house. Often a handover contract is signed to ensure everything has worked smoothly. 

Ejari Registration and Renewal

Once you have signed the Dubai rental house tenancy contract, you are liable to register at the Ejari portal regarding your lease agreement. For this purpose, you will require, an enclosed PoA if it is issued in another Emirate, the Landlord’s passport, the title deed of the property, the original unified tenancy contract, the Tenant’s Emirates ID, and an assigned number of the Power of Attorney (PoA) is required without enclosing it (if the PoA is issued in Dubai). For this purpose, you can download the Dubai Rest App and register Ejari online. All you have to do is to submit the fees and the documents required:

• Ejari Registration Fee: AED 155 + VAT
• Innovation Fee: AED 10
• Knowledge Fee: AED 10

Users can request Ejari renewal in Dubai by submitting the required documents. If you are a landlord, you need to submit a copy of your Emirates ID, a valid passport, and property ownership documents (copy). On the other hand, the documents that the tenants need to provide include the tenancy agreement.  Furthermore, if the renewal of Ejari is for residential property for rent in Dubai, then as a tenant, you need to submit a copy of the previous Ejari contract, a copy of the recent DEWA bill, submission of undertaking form to validate the provided data when applying for renewal via Real Estate Services Trustee, a title deed, and the proof of tenant’s ID. 

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Leases

While securing residential property for rent in Dubai, you must consider the option between long-term and short-term leases. There are both pros and cons regarding both, but it is important to figure them out before jumping into action. While choosing short-term rentals for Dubai rental property, you can enjoy a level of flexibility. The long-term leases, on the contrary, offer potentially cost-effective and stable solutions for people who are looking for more extended residency. 

Also Read: What is Ejari? A Comprehensive Guide for Renters in Dubai

Conclusion

In this blog, we have provided you detailed guide regarding choosing a property for rent in Dubai. Whether you are committing to a long-term lease or seeking a short-term rental, you need to have appropriate knowledge for a satisfactory and successful living experi