Dubai is a city of contrasts, a city of contrasts, a city of modern luxury, business opportunities and cultural experiences. No matter if you are moving to work at a different place, planning to stay for a longer time or simply would like to discover the city life, to appear has to be caused by the best home. Dubai offers a lot in terms of property to rent, whether you are looking to rent from high rise apartments or waterfront villas. Now before you sign a lease it is wise to know how rental works, rental costs and the rental legal requirements as well to have a smooth ride.

If you are in search of flexibility and preferably cheap short term rentals are your mode of choice, then they will offer you the flexibility to experience different areas and decide before booking for a long-term stay. If you own property in Dubai, you can also rent out your house short term and earn passive income. By looking into the rental market, tenancy laws, and how much money you need to account for on top of your rent, you’ll be able to make this decision up front and enjoy a low stress renting experience in this fast-rising town.

Here are the Top Things:

1. Choose the Right Location

With so many different neighborhood’s in Dubai, it has to offer a wide range of neighbourhoods to suit everyone’s preferences and budgets. If you are a fan of being in the middle of the city and close to the most famous landmarks, then you can opt to stay in Downtown Dubai or Business Bay. If it is living by the waterfront and in a more relaxed atmosphere you want, then Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are your places. Families prefer Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, Mirdif because of spacious villas and community amenities. Commute time, lifestyle, accessibility to the schools, offices and entertainment determine this. It is not a bad idea to look into other places as you may end up finding the one to spend a long-term lease.

2. Understand Rental Costs and Payments

A home in Dubai can be rented, but it comes with several costs beyond the monthly rent. Security deposit is 5% of the annual rent for unfurnished properties and 10% for furnished ones. Tenants have to pay it, and it is usually returned to them after the end of the lease period. If you hire a real estate agent, you are expected to pay around 5% of the annual rent as commission. Further, it is mandatory to register the lease with Ejari and the charge is around AED 220. Water and electricity (DEWA) utility deposits vary between AED 2,000 to AED 4,000. The rent payments are usually made by postdated cheques and landlords prefer to receive payments in two or four instalments.

3. Rental Contracts & Ejari Registration

The Ejari is a government system that registers every rental agreement in Dubai and gives protection to tenant rights. However, this registration process is necessary, but simple, to prevent disputes between landlords and tenants. The length of a rental contract is usually one year, and early termination of the lease may come with penalties unless specified in the contract. Furthermore, tenants should also read the lease terms carefully to know maintenance responsibilities, renewal conditions and rent increase clauses. Keeping a registered Ejari contract also helps in settling disputes with Dubai’s Rental Dispute Settlement Centre if required.

4. Can You Negotiate the Rent?

Yes! Dubai rent prices are usually negotiable if you are willing to pay multiple cheques upfront or if you agree to a longer lease. You should always look at the going rate in the market before negotiating. The Dubai Land Department provides a RERA Rental Index, which provides fair price estimates of the location and property type. Use this information as leverage during negotiations if similar properties in the area are available at a lower rate. Furthermore, ask the landlord to offer more perks such as free maintenance, additional parking or small renovations to reduce the undesirable side of the deal.

5. Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rentals

Dubai has both short term and long-term rentals, and it’s all about the time you will be staying and what you need. Long term rentals (or in this case, usually 12 months or more) provide the stability and better rates making it a good idea for the people that want to stay for a longer period. However, short-term rentals are flexible and are a great option for tourists, business travellers or people who wish to live and work in various places and need to know which area suits him and his family before settling down in one house. Furnished short term leases are common, but they cost more than long term rentals. Looking at your financial situation and needs to life can tell you what is the best choice.

6. Tenant Rights & Responsibilities

Dubai rental laws are well established to protect both tenants and landlords. For instance, landlords cannot arbitrarily increase rent; rent hike is subject to RERA guidelines. Additionally, the tenants are required to do minor repairs and maintenance (up to AED 500) and the landlords are responsible for major repairs such as air conditioning, plumbing, or structural repairs. Additionally, eviction laws protect tenants because a land lord can only evict a tenant under certain conditions such as when the land lord sells the property or uses the space for personal reasons and the land lord must give 12 months or more notice. This will also help tenants not to fall into conflicts and have a smooth renting experience.

7. Is it possible to buy instead of rent?

If you are going to be in Dubai for a long time buying a property may be cheaper than renting. Financing is available for expats through mortgages in the city. In addition, purchasing a property in Dubai can be a good investment, as short-term rental properties are very much in demand due to Dubai’s booming tourism industry. There are many investors who buy homes to make passively through holiday rentals or serviced apartments. Owning property has higher upfront costs in terms of buying and registration fees, maintenance costs, but the financial security is there and the long-term benefits are there.

Conclusion

If you are a newcomer to Dubai, rent property in Dubai can be exciting yet complex. Being well informed will prepare you well to choose the right location, know what rental costs, what contracts to sign and, of course, what your tenant rights are. Dubai has a range of options for short term stay or long-term home depending on what you’re looking for and the budget you have. If you’re undecided about the length of lease to a year, cheap short-term rentals grant you the freedom to relocate to a different neighborhood and then see which streets to live on before committing to the neighborhood.

Dubai’s rental market also offers a good opportunity for property owners to earn extra income. If you own a home, you can easily rent out your house short term and take advantage of the city’s high demand for vacation and business accommodations. However, if you are planning to invest in real estate, you can buy short term rental property and earn passive income. As a tenant or homeowner, if you understand the Dubai rental market, it will be a smooth and rewarding experience.