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Dubai Rental Guide

Renting an apartment or villa in Dubai, the step-by-step process.

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A modern living room with large windows letting in natural light. The room features light-colored sofas, a patterned rug, a wooden coffee table and various plants. Contemporary lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling. A dining room is visible in the background, creating an inviting path of movement and fluidity.

Wherever you are in the world, budgeting is essential. Life in Dubai is expensive, and it's important to manage your budget properly. The housing budget must be in line with the household's means. You also need to take into account the various costs associated with renting accommodation: 

  • Agency fees, generally equivalent to 5% of annual rent
  • Security deposit, between 5% and 10% of annual rent
  • Payment of municipality fees, 5% of annual rent added to electricity bill (DEWA)
  • Electricity payment
  • Air conditioning payment
  • Gas payment
  • Internet connection payment

To be effective, you need to list your search criteria, otherwise you risk wasting a lot of time and not finding the right property for you. We have listed below the criteria you absolutely must define before starting your search:

  • Property type: apartment or villa
  • Number of bedrooms and surface area
  • Neighborhood: limit your options to 2 or 3 neighborhoods maximum
  • Distance from your workplace and/or your children's school: what are you prepared to accept?

The Dubai Immo agency provides rental management for apartments and villas throughout Dubai. We can certainly offer you properties. However, we recommend that you also consult the leading websites for apartment rentals in Dubai. PropertyFinder, Bayut and Dubizzle are the reference sites. You'll find almost all properties for rent in Dubai, including those managed by our agency.

If possible, group your visits on the same day and in the same area. Distances are great in Dubai, and you'll need to take traffic into account if you're planning to visit every corner of the city! When visiting properties, be sure to check that everything is working properly in the apartments, especially shower pressure, which is sometimes poor in Dubai. We also strongly recommend that you visit the amenities, such as the swimming pool and gym. It is imperative that they are well maintained. If this is not the case, we advise you to move on. 

It is perfectly possible to negotiate your rental contract in Dubai. Here are some of the elements that can be negotiated:

  • The price
  • Payment frequency (monthly, quarterly or annually)
  • Services included: electricity, air conditioning, water, internet

How do I negotiate rent in Dubai?
We have access to rental prices in Dubai for all residences. Don't hesitate to ask us for these figures, as they will enable you to negotiate effectively with a landlord who might ask for more than the market price.

How can I negotiate the rate of payment?
Rent can be paid in one lump sum for the whole year, or in several instalments. If you can afford to pay at a faster rate than the landlord initially requested, you'll certainly be able to get a discount. Conversely, if a developer asks for a lump-sum payment, for example, but the amount is too high for you, you can offer to pay in instalments for a slightly higher price.

How to negotiate the services included?
If the rent seems high, you can ask the landlord to pay the electricity, water and internet bills... This type of offer is not the norm, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Once the terms of the contract have been agreed by all parties, the administrative phase can begin. Here are the documents you'll need to provide to the landlord or his real estate agent, so that they can prepare the contracts:

  • Copy of your passport
  • Copy of your Emirates ID
  • Copy of your visa

These documents must be valid.

You'll also need to provide a cheque for the rent, security deposit and agency fees.

When you sign the contract, make sure that any clauses you haven't discussed have not been added without your knowledge. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have, and to clarify every point. Don't sign in a hurry.

The EJARI is the standardized rental contract introduced by the Dubai government. It can be registered at authorized centers or online. Your Dubai Immo agent will assist you in this process.

You'll need to activate electricity in the apartment or villa, as well as air conditioning, gas and, if you wish, internet. These formalities can be carried out online, and the various organizations will ask you to provide your identity documents as well as the EJARI and a security deposit.

In almost all of Dubai's residences and communities, you'll need to obtain a "move-in permit" before you can move in. To obtain one, you'll need to contact the company that manages the property, called "Community Management". Their contact details will be provided by the property owner or real estate agent. Some management companies require you to pay a small security deposit, to cover any damage caused to communal areas when you move in. The move-in permit is usually obtained within 24 hours, on presentation of the EJARI and your identity papers.

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