Renting a property in Dubai

What you need

Personal documents — To rent a property in Dubai on a long term basis you will need your passport, residency visa, and Emirates ID. If you are not a UAE resident and want to lease for a temporary period, you can choose a short term rental or holiday home – in this case, you will not be asked for any proof of residency.

Finances — Before diving into your search, you should be aware of the costs involved in the property rental process. You will be asked to provide a security deposit, which is usually 5% of your annual rent for unfurnished properties or 10% of your rent if the home is furnished – this percentage may vary depending on the agency. The deposit will be refunded to you at the end of your tenancy. You should also consider the agent fee if you choose to work with an agency, which is typically 5% of your rental value.

Dubai rent is typically annual and paid through post dated cheques, so a UAE bank account and a chequebook are necessary. Depending on the initial agreement with your landlord, you will be asked to pay through one or more cheques – a higher number of cheques is often linked to a higher overall rent price compared to a single payment. Keep in mind that your first rent will be requested in advance, ideally dated a few days before your move in.

Find a good agent — Once you have your budget and documents in order, you can begin the rental process. At this point we recommend reaching out to a real estate agent for personalised assistance and advice throughout the journey. At haus & haus, our leasing and holiday rental consultants are well known for providing ongoing support and professional guidance, ensuring a smooth process and an enjoyable stay in your rental property.

If you are still unsure about where to rent, our property consultants can help – they specialise in Dubai’s popular areas and will assist you with the types of properties available, information about the amenities and useful insights about the different locations in the city.

Timeline

We usually advise tenants to start their search for rental properties about one to two months before moving in – searching with too much time in advance can cause unrealistic expectations as Dubai has a dynamic real estate market and listings tend to go fast.

One question you may have is: "how long will it take until I find my new rental?"

The answer depends on many aspects like your timeframe, documentation, and whether or not you're being supported by a reputable real estate agency. At haus & haus, we have successfully closed many rentals within 24 and 48 hours, but keep in mind that the amount of time relies on your specific case as well as market conditions. Even if we help you secure your rental in one or two days, it’s important to mention that the quickest possible move in date will be at least five days from the signing of the contract – this will give you enough time to register your Ejari, activate the DEWA services, and get your moving permits.


Documentation

Once you find your new rental property, you will move on to the documentation to make it official – and remember, we will be there to assist you every step of the way.

Tenancy contract — Before signing this agreement, it's important to go through it with your agent to raise any questions or concerns that you may have. After you have understood the terms, the contract will be signed by you and your landlord. You will both keep a copy of this document.

Cheques — As a next step, make sure you have the agreed number of cheques with you along with the security deposit – UAE banks usually take 2-5 working days to initiate cheques upon request. Once you have them, your agent will hand them over to your landlord and provide you with receipts.