In the UAE, housing is easy to come by but expensive due to Dubai and Abu Dhabi's popularity with ex-pats. Despite a 30% drop in rent in recent years, ex-pats still spend nearly half of their income on rent alone. Some UAE companies provide housing to their employees, while others offer only a stipend.

Dubai has always been known as an expensive city globally regarding housing costs. Al Ain is less expensive than Sharjah, and Fujairah.

The UAE has numerous housing options. There are some high-rise houses, villa and apartment for rent in Abu Dhabi within the gated communities, and some townhouses.

Landlords typically require a year's worth of predated checks and three months' rent upfront. Since short-term rentals are abundant, ex-pats would do well to arrive in the UAE and view a property before signing a lease.

Renting a House or an Apartment

In the UAE, renting a house or an apartment is easy, but rent prices are high. In the UAE, salaries are known to be competitive, but the high costs of living offset much of these salaries.

Typically, a studio apartment in the Dubai, UAE costs between 30,000 and 50,000 AED (8,100 to 13,600 USD) per year. One- and two-bedroom flats usually cost between 19,000 and 27,220 AED.

AED Housing Rent Average

The UAE has plenty of villas and houses for ex-pats to choose from. For a home with three bedrooms, the minimum rent in Dubai is 193,180 AED (52,590 USD), and for a home with five bedrooms, it's 298,640 AED (81,300 USD). A three-bedroom house in Abu Dhabi costs 168,180 AED (45,785 USD) while a five-bedroom house costs 305,910 AED (83,280 USD).

Obtaining Housing in Abu Dhabi as a Foreigner

Most rental agreements in the UAE last one year! As a result, you are protected if your landlord breaks your lease early, thanks to housing laws that favor the landlord and the tenant. Both the furnished and unfurnished apartments are hence readily available for rent.

It is somehow all based on the major priorities and the planned budget. In the UAE, it is easy to find affordable furniture at stores all over the country.

However, a furnished house or apartment costs significantly more than an unfurnished one. When it comes to moving in and out of the UAE, unfurnished may be the way to go if you only intend to stay for a year.

Employees of most UAE-based companies receive housing benefits or housing allowances. Many ex-pats choose to use an agent when looking for their accommodation due to the many choices. or many use online property finder platform like Waperty.

Renting Process and Rules

All seven emirate states have the same rental process and rules, though there can be slight variations when registering contracts or paying deposits. Verify the specific requirements of the state of your emirate.

Helpful Hints

Accommodations in the UAE should be located following your location. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have many congested roads, making commutes to and from work a lot difficult. Despite public transportation, it isn't as extensive as in other large cities and countries.

While looking for a home in the UAE, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it easy to get to and from work?
• Can I drive on busy highways?
• Can I find a beach nearby?
• Is public transportation close by?
• Is it possible to sleep through the call to prayer if a mosque is nearby? (The call to prayer occurs five times a day.)

Paying bills and utilities

The rent in the UAE does not typically include utilities. Your emirate will need to set them up. Approximately 500–600 AED (136–163 USD) per month are estimated for utilities.

Utility companies are different in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates. All utilities, such as water and electricity, are state-of-the-art in the emirates, and the majority of bills can be paid online, via a UAE bank, or at a kiosk machine.

What are Short-Term Rentals?

Getting a place to stay in the UAE can be time- and money-consuming. It may be wise to give yourself a month or two to find the perfect place because leases are hard to break. Then it would help if you considered renting a short-term apartment first. Since 2015, Dubai has been regulating short-term rentals. These regulations protect both tenants and property owners.

Short-Term Rentals: How Much Do They Cost?

Short-term rentals in the UAE can be significantly more expensive than one-year leases, depending on the property's area. Check the prices beforehand if you are renting over a holiday or during a high or low tourist season.

Is there anything I need to provide for a short-term rental?

In the UAE, you should only need a copy of your passport to rent a short-term rental. You will be paying for the whole tourism based on the time you are staying here.

For expats moving to the desert by themselves, shared housing may be the best option. In addition, Sharia law prohibits unmarried men from living with unmarried women, regardless of whether the bedrooms are separate. Expats and non-Muslims, in general, are not subject to this practice, but it is still a risk. When you draw unwanted attention to yourself for other infractions, this practice could lead to severe consequences.

What is the primary reason for having high rent in Abu Dhabi?

Prices are rising due to a general lack of availability. It is exacerbated by the fact that many people are moving from apartments to villas. Companies are expanding, and new projects are opening in Abu Dhabi as well.

In most states, landlords are not allowed to raise rent within three years of signing the tenancy contract and two years after that for any further increases.