Finding an apartment in Dubai may be easy: thanks to its status as one of the booming economies of the region, as well as one of the places with the best quality of life, the market is currently packed with a lot of great apartments and houses.
However, finding the perfect apartment for you is less easy. Finding a great place to live in Dubai has its own challenges, as does arranging to move in.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know in order to find your dream apartment in Dubai, whether you are looking to rent or buy.
Be Clear on Your Budget
The price of apartments in Dubai, whether renting or buying, varies greatly between different properties. Therefore it is important to have a clear idea on your budget before you start looking. If renting, experts tell us we should spend between 20 and 30% of our monthly income on rent so this is a good guideline to make sure you are not putting yourself under financial stress. Once you start looking around, remember your budget and stick to it!
Choose Your Location Wisely
Traffic in Dubai can be intense, particularly during rush hour, so keep this in mind when deciding on the location or locations which are suitable for you. Either choose somewhere within a short driving distance of your work or which is close to public transportation. If you do not have a car, accessibility to public transport will be even more critical. If you do have a car, be sure to check the parking situation: does your apartment include car spaces? If so, how many? Street parking can be almost impossible in Dubai, so make sure you have sufficient car parking spaces for your needs.
Pick Your Community
Dubai is essentially made up of different small communities. There are a variety of different communities around, each with their own strengths: some are more family-orientated, whereas others are more busy, city-based neighbourhoods. Research these different areas well and decide which will be right for you. This will help you to narrow down your search, as well as making sure you end up in a community that is well-suited to you.
Use Online Resources
Like everything else these days, a great place to search for apartments in Dubai is online. Sites like bayut.com allow you to easily search for properties for sale or rent in Dubai. These sites make searching for the right property easy because you can filter results based on your requirements.
Beware of Hidden Costs
You will find that you have many different options when it comes to renting or buying an apartment in Dubai. You can choose furnished or unfurnished rentals, for example. There are also many different property types, including apartments, studios and villas. When considering options, beware of potential hidden costs and look into these carefully. For example, renting an unfurnished apartment will appear to save you money, but you will need to buy all necessary furniture so you will have to factor the cost of purchasing furniture into your calculations.
Check the Agent’s Credentials
Be aware that in Dubai it is required to deal with only official agents who are authorised by the appropriate authorities to handle real estate transactions. In order to have proper authorisation, the agent must be registered with the official body called RERA. Before proceeding with any transaction, be sure to check the agent is registered.
Have Your Documents in Order
It is not only the agent who needs to have their documents in order, but also you as the renter or buyer. Make sure that you have all the necessary legal documents on hand in order to sign the document. If you are not sure what is required, check with your agent. It is also a good idea to double check all papers before signing, including making sure they have the correct name, and that it is spelt correctly. Finally, like all contracts in Dubai, any rental or sale contract will need to be registered with Ejari, so make sure this is done also.
Keep Everything Documented
If renting, be sure to protect your rights by keeping everything well documented. Keep copies of the contract and all official paperwork. As soon as you move in, take photos of the property in case you need evidence for the condition the property was in at the beginning of the contract. Also do your research and know your rights as a tenant: for example, all rent increases must follow the rent index set by RERA, and all evictions must be in accordance with the guidelines set down by this official body also. Look up these regulations so you know your rights in case of any issues or disputes with your landlord.
