Having a renting in Dubai Guide is your optimum way to keep things organized and planned during your search journey; this starts from considering your budget till you move in.
Especially if it’s your first time renting in the city, this article will take you step by step, ensuring you a smooth leasing experience. Let’s dive towards this inclusive checklist to find the home of your dreams in Dubai!
Renting in Dubai Checklist Guide
Whatever the task you’re planning for having a checklist is a lifesaver hack! So when it comes to searching for a home, the checklist is a must. To make it easy for you, here is below a step-by-step list of all the things you should do to find the home of your dreams.
Checklist
- Understand Your Budget
- Explore the Top Communities
- Search for Property
- Know All the Hidden Costs of Rental
- Schedule a Property Viewing
- Find out the Needed Documents to Rent
- Know Your Rights Before Signing the Tenancy Contract
- Prepare Your Move-in Day
- Solve Rental Disputes
1. Understand Your Budget
The first thing you should consider when renting in Dubai is your budget. You should define which communities and unit types would fit your finances. Besides, a budget for housing expenses is important in determining where you can afford to rent.
2. Explore the Top Communities
Picking your home location is surely an important thing while searching for a property to rent. The options you have in Dubai are endless. However, you should set some factors and priorities on which you can evaluate which area suits you best.
You will find many notable communities for rent in Dubai. Here are some of the top ones:
- Downtown Dubai
- Business Bay
- Dubai Marina
- Al Barsha
- Jumeirah Lake Towers.
3. Search for Property
Once you have shortlisted a community to live in, it’s time to narrow your search further to focus on specific property types.
You can browse through the various properties for rent in Dubai on Property Finder and speak to RERA-certified real estate agents or community experts to gain knowledge about a specific area.
In addition, it’s important that you do your research on the points to consider when searching for a property to rent in Dubai.
How you search for a property to rent surely affects the results you get, so make sure to do it in the most efficient way.
4. Know All the Hidden Costs of Rental
The rental amount isn’t the total fee that you will pay when renting a unit; there are other additional costs for leasing that you need to know about.
You should check the chiller bill amount and who will pay it, payment of service charges, parking availability, a fair number of cheques, etc.
Now that you understand your budget allocation toward annual rent, it’s important to prepare for the upfront costs associated with getting you through the door so there are no nasty surprises!
In addition, the below list includes the extra costs that you should pay when renting in Dubai.
- Security Deposit
- Agency Fee
- Housing Fee
- DEWA
- Ejari
- Cooling services
- Maintenance.
5. Schedule a Property Viewing
Once you find a suitable unit option that meets your demands, going for a property viewing is the next step. It enables you to see the unit in reality, find if it’s suitable or not, check its overall condition, and raise any questions you may have.
In addition, choosing the right time for property viewing in Dubai is important to ensure the best results.
This is to evaluate the condition of the property, take note of all issues, and raise it with the landlord before signing on the dotted line.
6. Find out the Needed Documents to Rent
Found the right property for you? Then, it’s essential to prepare your documents in order to submit your application and offer.
Time is of the essence in any property deal to avoid missing it, so it’s always good to have your documents ready.
Moreover, you should prepare the main documents required for a tenancy contract, register with Ejari, and connect your DEWA and district cooling services.
Have a look below at the main documents you need to prepare to rent a unit in this emirate.
- A copy of your passport
- Copy of your residency visa
- A copy of your Emirates ID
- A cheque with a refundable security deposit amounting to 5% of the total annual rent (to secure the property)
7. Know Your Rights Before Signing the Tenancy Contract
To always be on the safe side, you should know about your rights before renting in Dubai as a tenant and also the landlord’s responsibilities. It gives you full visibility and leaves you and your landlord on the same page.
Knowing your rights is being aware of the following:
- The important points and clauses that should be included in the contract
- The relationship between landlord and tenant
- The time frame of contract termination and eviction and your rights in such cases
8. Prepare Your Move-in Day
The most awaited moment is finally here and you’re moving to the new home.
There are some documents and arrangements that you should prepare for an effortless move-in. To eliminate stress, find below a list of every step.
- Register your tenancy contract with Ejari
- Book a moving service
- Set up or transfer your DEWA service
- Set up or transfer your Du or Etisalat services
- Register with the district cooling provider: Empower or Emicool
- Register with security
- Get your moving permit.
You should also make sure to be organised to make the moving process as smooth as possible!
9. Solve Rental Disputes
Last but not least, some problems or issues might arise between landlord and tenant in Dubai; however, you don’t have to panic as Dubai tenancy law and regulations ensure both parties’ rights.
In addition, Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) is the entity in Dubai responsible for settling the disputes between you and your landlord in a legal work frame. This is to guarantee that none have an issue or concern regarding their stay.
Here are some of the common reasons for rental disputes in Dubai.
- Unreasonable grounds for eviction
- Increase of rent by the landlord without adhering to the Dubai rent increase law.
- Cutting off essential services to the tenant
- Leasing apartment with defects and pest infection
- Unreasonable deduction from the security deposit (also known as dispute move-out charges).
Here you go with the complete guide for renting in Dubai; you will enjoy an exceptional stay at this emirate once you find a suitable unit.
