Hey there! My name is Anton Sizemin, I relocated to Dubai for business a year ago and was immediately faced with the problem of residence. During my time in the city, I have tried six different places to live. Why six, you may ask? Normally, I am quite conservative and can stay in one location for years. But Dubai seemed interesting enough for me to try out different places and experiment. Besides, this is my first experience living in a Middle Eastern country and abroad in general, with a hot desert climate near a truly vast body of water.

In a separate article, I gave a detailed description of my locations and most fascinating districts in Dubai, but here I’ll focus on the nuances of the rental housing market.

How is the rental market organized?

The rental market in Dubai has a clear seasonal variation, mainly due to the climate. In summer, outdoor temperatures can reach 50°C. Due to low humidity, this doesn’t feel quite as bad, but it’s still extreme. At night, temperatures don’t drop significantly, so you won’t enjoy cool sea breezes and even the sea water becomes too warm. You can take warm baths only at night (some beaches are illuminated and offer 24-hour access), but during the day, the streets and beaches are empty.

Short-term rental prices react to these changes, with fluctuations of around 30% or more. The market is dynamic and demand is closely monitored. It’s also worth noting that there’s a clear distinction between short-term rentals (which can be arranged without a residency visa) and long-term rentals (usually for 12 months). In my experience, the difference in cost between short-term and long-term rentals was substantial—about 30%, even though the apartments were in the same building.

Types of apartments available for rent

The real estate market is structured quite simply—all residential properties are labeled by the number of bedrooms. For example, a 1-bedroom apartment includes one bedroom and a living room, while a 2-bedroom apartment includes two bedrooms and a living room (usually with two bathrooms). 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom apartments typically consist of three or four bedrooms, respectively and a living room. Anything larger is usually a standalone villa.

What services did I use to find housing?

There are plenty of real estate agents in Dubai offering services for renting and purchasing apartments, which makes sense given the well-developed property market. For short-term rentals, I used booking.com and for long-term contracts, I relied on aggregator websites, which helped me quickly get in touch with agents.

I met agents from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Turkey. They all had substantial work experience and managed multiple properties. Communication with agents was conducted primarily via WhatsApp, the traditional way of communicating in the UAE.

Which areas in Dubai are suitable for living?

The real estate market in Dubai offers a wide variety of living options, from modern apartments to luxurious villas. The city continues to grow rapidly, attracting people from all over the world with its unique districts and high standard of living. I’ve dedicated a separate article to a detailed description of my locations and interesting districts in Dubai.

Rental Conditions

The terms for long-term rentals typically involve a 12-month contract secured by post-dated checks (the number of checks, or payment periods, can be negotiated) and a deposit (the amount is negotiable depending on the market, but usually equivalent to one month’s rent at the time I was dealing with it). Agency fees are fairly consistent, but it’s worth checking their market level. After signing the rental contract, I had to go to one of the offices to register the lease and only then was the electricity connected in the apartment.

Building Maintenance

For comfortable living, it’s important to not only choose the right district (as I covered in my article on the best districts in Dubai) but also the specific building that suits your needs. Some buildings can change ownership and the quality of internal services significantly affects residents’ comfort. For example, it’s almost standard to have a pool in the building (on the roof, on a podium, or indoors). However, the pools differ in size and those with temperature control (both cooling in summer and heating for winter’s 22-23°C outdoor temperatures) are a big advantage. In such cool weather, only a few people risk swimming in the sea, but a warm pool is always in demand. Many apartment buildings and hotels (some hotels offer a mix of hotel rooms and apartments) also feature gyms. It’s essential that the gym undergoes regular renovations, is well-maintained and has enough equipment. It’s nice not to have to wait in line for the treadmill. Additionally, attention should be paid to the reception staff, as they play a key role—from guiding couriers to dealing with noisy neighbors. Parties are wisely prohibited in most apartment buildings.

Dubai continues to grow, attracting people from all over the world with its unique neighborhoods and high quality of life, making it an appealing place to live. If you’re curious about which districts are best for living, be sure to read my article, entitled Renting in Dubai: My 6 Locations in 365 Days.

If you need more information or have other questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!