Finding a place to rent in Dubai can get overwhelming quickly. There are so many different neighbourhoods, types of apartments and price ranges; so making the right decision is not so easy for Expats who are just arriving in the UAE for the first time. However, with the right information, finding a home in Dubai can be smooth sailing - That’s what we’re here to do!
In this Blog, we will take you through a Step-by-Step Guide on how to find an apartment in Dubai that meets your requirements and budget. We’ll also go through what fees to expect, how to choose the right neighbourhoods and tips to avoid getting cammed! Let’s get into it.
Before you start your search you should know how much money you can spend on your monthly rent. Dubai is not particularly cheap, and rent will probably be your highest expense, so knowing exactly how much you can afford will help you plan ahead, and only target properties and areas that fit your budget.
If you don’t know how much of your salary you should allocate for rent, it’s good to take the benchmark of 30% - a little higher is ok, a little lower is great! But with that in mind, if you earn, let’s say AED 15k a month, it would be wise to set a cap of AED 5k when looking at properties. This is also because there are so many home-related expenses such as utility bills and broadband.
It’s important to have a full understanding of your cost of living expenses before looking for a house, as it will affect the budget you have available for rent. We recommend you to have a look through our Cost of living Calculator - you can add your “lifestyle preferences”, and it will give you an idea of how much money you will spend per month. With this in mind, you can better budget for your house renting bucket.
Renting accommodation in Dubai has more costs associated with it than most people know and it’s important to be aware of them so you don’t get caught by surprise. In addition to monthly rent, you will have to budget for:
We recommend using the below Housing Fees calculator to get a breakdown of all estimated costs associated with your rental - Both the upfront cost you’ll need to take on, and the recurring monthly costs you need to account for. Simply add the type of house you’re thinking of renting, and its annual price. It will then tell you how much it should cost you per month (more or less!).
Calculate your Fees for renting a Home in Dubai
Dubai is one of the most populated cities in the Middle East, and therefore the range of neighbourhoods where you can live, is vast. Deciding on the location you want to live in is crucial, as it will determine the cost and quality of housing you live in, as well as your distance to work, shops, and amenities.
Each area has a different “vibe” to it. For example, the Dubai Marina Area is the most famous for Expats, so you will find a lot of different activities, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and even a shopping mall. However, because of its popularity and proximity to the beach, the traffic can get quite heavy at certain times of the day, and the prices are higher than other areas.
Here are some of the most popular neighbourhoods in Dubai split by price range:
We have compiled some of the most popular Neighbourhoods in Dubai, and included the average cost of renting in each area.
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Starting your house search can be stressful, but don’t worry, this is the right place to start! If you’re already in Dubai, we recommend you to get a local phone number, because calling and Whatsapping estate agents and landlords is the only way to get it done. They don’t tend to be very responsive via email - trust us, we’ve put this to the test. As part of your Matutto account, you can get in touch directly with verified Estate Agents, so sign up now if you’re about to start your search.
If you’re not yet in Dubai, we recommend you to look for short term accommodation options instead. This will allow you to get to Dubai, stay in a place for a month (or more), while you look for long term rentals. This will also give you enough time to get your Emirates ID, which is a necessary document to rent an apartment for the long term in Dubai. You can find both short term rental places as well as the documents needed to rent on your Matutto Account, so if you don’t have one yet, create an account for free.
To get an idea of what sort of properties are available, use websites such as Property Finder and Bayut. You will be able to filter by area and budget, so you get properties that fit your criteria. You can then contact landlords via these websites and start scheduling viewings. A PRO Tip is to speak to estate agents and landlords ahead of your move, and let them know your criteria - this way you can avoid “fighting” for a flat because they can call you directly as soon as your ideal property enters the market.
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Imagine moving to Dubai, having to navigate the housing market by yourself, finally finding a place to rent that you like AND… The landlord now asks you for a bunch of documents you don’t have. We obviously want you to avoid being in this situation, so here’s what you need to know.
You need a number of documents to rent an apartment in Dubai. The very first ones, and perhaps quite obvious, will be your Passport and UAE visa. A lot of people get to the country as a tourist, without yet having their visa, and without it, you can’t get your Emirates ID - which is another document required for signing a long term apartment lease. As it is very common for the process of getting your Emirates ID to take a few weeks, it is recommended to look for short term accommodation until you have your paperwork completely sorted. We have a few ones we recommend listed on Matutto - Sign Up to access them.
The final, and maybe what catches most Expats by surprise, is the request of upfront payments via bank cheques. It is worth mentioning that things are changing, but as of today, it is still very common for landlords to request a Cheque issued by your bank with 3, 6 or 12 months worth of rent. When you open a Bank Account in the UAE, they will issue you a cheque book, which you can use to make your rental payments. So in summary, you need the following documents to rent a home in Dubai:
When you’re starting to look for a place to live in, it’s normal to be bombarded with Real Estate Agents messaging you on Facebook saying they can help you find a place - sometimes this might be true, but don’t always believe it! Especially if they ask you for a fee upfront, because this is most likely a scam. Agents are paid a % fee when you rent via them, so they are interested in getting you a place to live in (ideally at a high price point). It’s always important to make sure the Agent you’re working on is appropriately licensed and has the right to rent you the property, to avoid paying fees and being left out with nowhere to live.
A lot of Expats make the mistake of thinking they can just avoid working with Real Estate Agents to save on the fee, but the reality is that more often than not this is not your choice. If the house you like is listed with a real estate agent, you have to pay the fee yes or yes - And most houses are listed by real estate agents.
What we recommend you do is Sign Up to Matutto to speak to a reliable and verified Real Estate Agents - We have partnered with a number of trustworthy agents who can help you with your search (and no, they won’t charge you an extra fee for this! You’ll just have to pay the % when you secure the rental - Something you’ll most likely have to pay anyway)
Never underestimate how challenging moving to a new country can be. Things that should take a week, can take a month without the right level of support. Luckily, Matutto is here to support your move at every step of the way. When you upgrade to Premium you can book a call with one of our Relocation Advisors to answer any of your questions about moving or searching for a home.
From a paperwork perspective, the company hiring you should support you by securing the right legal documentation and guiding you through the process of acquiring the right documents, such as your Emirates ID. They are also legally obliged to provide you with Health Insurance, which will end up being important when you need the doctor, as it will prevent you from spending thousands of AED on medical appointments. If you’re moving as Self Employed, check out our support for Opening a Company in the UAE.
If you need to find a house, a school for your kids, open a bank account, understand how to get around the city, and get advice from other Expats, you can always join Matutto for FREE, and purchase a Premium Package later on if you feel you need extra support.
You’re moving to Dubai, it’s time to look for a place to live in, and it feels like a lot. It doesn’t have to, though! Here’s a few tips to find accommodation in Dubai without breaking your spirit (or your pockets):
There are a number of budget friendly options when it comes to renting in Dubai, but the biggest question is, at what cost? Cheaper accommodation prices normally means one of at least these 5 things:
All these factors influence the quality of lifestyle you will carry on in Dubai, so it’s important you decide what you’re willing to give up on, and what is non-negotiable for you.
If you’re looking for an affordable place to live in, start by selecting a neighbourhood that is known to be affordable. Then, look through property portals for the available apartments in those areas, and reach out to the agents who manage them. If you want to get to know Budget Friendly Neighbourhoods, read our Blog about it here. And if you’re looking to find a short-term apartment that fits your budget, sign up to Matutto and start exploring.
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