Renting in Dubai: Your Easy Guide

By : Eva

Renting a home in Dubai is exciting. It gives you a great lifestyle. It needs simple steps. This guide makes it very easy. It helps you understand everything.

1. Plan Your Renting Trip

First, know your money limits. This is very important. Think about the rent cost. Think about the security deposit. Also, remember agent fees. Rent is often paid with checks. You give multiple checks. A deposit is usually 5% of the yearly rent. For a furnished home, it can be 10%. Agent fees are often 5% of the yearly rent too. Plus, there is VAT. These fees are usually paid at the start.

Also, think about bills. You will pay for electricity and water (DEWA). There will be internet bills. Sometimes, there are gas bills. And district cooling charges. These are ongoing costs. You also pay a deposit for DEWA. It’s around AED 2,000 for flats. It’s around AED 4,000 for villas. These deposits come back later.

Then, pick where you want to live. Dubai has many different areas. Each area is unique. Do you want city life? Try Downtown Dubai. Do you want water views? Think about Dubai Marina. JLT is good for value. Families like Arabian Ranches. Research which area fits you best. Think about your work travel. Think about public transport. Are there shops nearby? Are there schools for kids? Make a list of what you need.

Decide what type of home you want. An apartment? A villa? A townhouse? Apartments are more common. Villas offer more space. What features do you need? A swimming pool? A gym? Parking? Is it pet-friendly? Write down your must-haves.

2. Find Your Place and Helper

Now, start looking for homes. Use popular websites. Bayut, Property Finder, and Dubizzle are very good. They show many homes. You can filter by price. You can filter by bedrooms. You can see amenities. They often have virtual tours. High-quality photos too.

It’s smart to use a RERA-registered agent. RERA is Dubai’s property group. It’s the Real Estate Regulatory Agency. You can check their license. Do this on the DLD website. Or use the Dubai REST app. A registered agent is professional. They follow the rules.

An agent helps you a lot. They understand what you need. They find good homes for you. They arrange visits. They talk prices for you. They guide you through papers. They save you time.

Be careful of scams. Don’t believe deals that seem too good. Never send money before signing papers. Always check the owner’s details.

Always see the home yourself. Go inside. Check everything well. Look for damage. Check for dampness. See if walls are okay. Make sure things work. Test all appliances. Check the air conditioning. Turn on water taps. Test electric points.

Ask questions. Who fixes small things? Who fixes big things? Ask about the home’s past. Any known problems? Get copies of papers. Ask for the owner’s Emirates ID. Ask for the home’s Title Deed. This proves they own it. This step is key. It helps stop problems.

3. Understand Your Rent Paper (Contract)

Your rent paper is very important. It’s called a tenancy contract. It’s a legal deal. It’s between you and the owner. Dubai Land Department has a standard form. This is called the Unified Tenancy Contract. It is used for all rentals. This form makes sure all legal rules are there. It protects both sides.

Key things in your paper:

How much rent. The total yearly cost.
How you pay. How many checks. When to pay each check.
How long you rent. The start date. The end date. Usually one year.
Who fixes things. It says who pays for repairs. Small repairs are often your job. Big repairs are the owner’s job. Check the amount.
Rules for extending your rent. How to renew the contract. When to give notice.
Rules for rent increases. Rent can only go up by certain rules. RERA sets these rules. They use a rent index.
Rules for ending your rent early. What happens if you leave early? There are often fees. You usually need to give notice. Maybe 60 or 90 days. You might pay two months’ rent.
Subletting. Most contracts say no. You cannot rent out part of your home. Not without the owner’s written okay.

Read every word carefully. Ask if you do not understand. Make sure all spoken promises are written down. Get them in the contract. Both you and the owner must sign it. Get a copy of the signed paper for yourself. Keep it safe.

4. Ejari: You Must Register!

Ejari is a must-do step. It means “my rent.” It’s an online system. It registers all rent papers. It makes your deal legal. It stops fake claims.

Why Ejari is key:

It makes your deal legal. No Ejari, no legal proof in court.
You need it for power and water. No Ejari, no DEWA connection.
It proves you live here. You need Ejari for many government things. Like getting a business license. Or sponsoring your family.
It helps if there are problems. If you have a rent problem, the court needs Ejari.

To get Ejari, you need these papers:

Your signed rent paper. The original one.
Your Emirates ID (copy). If you have no ID yet, a passport with a visa is sometimes okay. But you’ll need the ID later.
Owner’s Emirates ID (copy).
Owner’s Title Deed (copy). This is their home ownership paper.
DEWA number for the home. Ask the owner or agent for this. It’s on the main power box.
Your deposit slip (copy).

How to register Ejari:

Online: This is easiest. Use the Dubai REST app. Or the DLD website. It’s fast.
Ejari Offices: You can go to a special office. They help you. They charge a small fee.
Real Estate Agent: Many agents do this for you. They might charge extra.
Fees: There is an official Ejari fee. Around AED 150-200. Plus any office fees.

5. Bills and Moving In

After Ejari, get your bills ready.

Get your DEWA ready. This is for electricity and water. Apply online on their website. Or use their app. Or go to a DEWA office. You need your Ejari paper. Your Emirates ID. And the DEWA premise number. You pay a deposit. Then you get monthly bills.

Set up the internet and TV. Etisalat and Du are the main companies. Pick a plan you like. Think about internet speed. TV channels. Call plans. Set up an installation day.

Then, you can move. Before your things arrive, check the home again. Go with the owner or agent. Note down any damage. Take pictures.

If the home is furnished, make a list. List all items. Both you and the owner sign it. This stops arguments later. Take clear photos or videos of the home. Do this before you move your things in. It’s proof if problems come up.

6. Your Rights and What You Must Do

Knowing your rights helps a lot. And knowing what you must do.

Your Rights:

Peaceful Living: You can live in peace. The owner cannot enter your home without telling you first. Unless it’s an emergency.
Maintenance: The owner usually fixes big things. Like major repairs.
Rent Increases: Rent cannot go up too much. RERA rules say how much. The owner must tell you 90 days before renewing. If they want to raise rent.
Eviction Notice: The owner can only ask you to leave for certain reasons. Like if they need the home for themselves. Or if they sell it. They must give you 12 months’ notice. This notice must be official.
Deposit Back: You should get your deposit back. When you leave. Unless you damaged the home. Beyond normal use.

What You Must Do:

Pay Rent: Pay your rent on time. Bounced checks are a big problem.
Keep Home Well: You usually fix small things. Check your contract for the amount.
Use Home Right: Use the home only for living. Don’t change the home a lot. Not without the owner’s permission.
Give Notice: Follow notice rules. For renewing. Or for leaving early. Check your contract.
Follow Rules: Obey the building’s rules. And community rules.

7. Solving Problems

Sometimes, problems happen. It’s good to know what to do.

First Steps:

Talk First: Try to fix problems with your owner. Talk to them. Send messages or emails. Keep records of everything.
Keep Records: Save all messages. Save all papers. Photos of damage. Repair receipts.

Rental Disputes Center (RDC):

Go Here for Help: If talking doesn’t work, go to the RDC. This is part of the DLD. They help solve rent problems.
File a Complaint: You need your Ejari paper to complain. Bring all your documents.
Mediation: The RDC tries to help you agree first. If not, a judge will decide. The judge’s decision is final.

To Wrap Up!

Renting in Dubai is clear. Follow these steps. It will be smooth. Check all your papers. This keeps you safe. Enjoy your new home.