No matter where you are moving to, house-hunting is always a difficult and time-consuming task. There are many important elements that need to be considered when searching for your new home, including location, safety, and comfort.
Here are 9 struggles you may have gone through whilst house-hunting in Dubai:
1. Deciding whether to buy or rent
House prices have been steadily going up since 2010, so if you have the required capital, buying might just be the right choice for you.
Given that >rental contracts in Dubai are often no less than one year, it's worth looking at all your options before entering a long-term commitment.
2. Moving in with complete strangers can be daunting
At first, many people feel ominous and are rightfully concerned about moving in with someone they don't know. There are hundreds of different nationalities and people from various backgrounds living in Dubai and you may have to get used to each other's habits and schedules.
It may not be for everyone but often works for young, single people.
3. Paying annual or bi-annual rent upfront!
Across the UAE, many landlords require tenants to pay the annual rent upfront. >Rents in Dubai account for some of the highest in the world so you have to make the right decision when choosing your future home.
Make sure you are completely comfortable and everything has been agreed upon in writing before handing over that huge cheque.
4. Never-ending paperwork...
This is a well-known problem in Dubai. The paperwork and never-ending runs from one government department to another just to make sure you have all the right paperwork and are legally allowed to move into your new place can be very exhausting...
From registering for your utility bills with DEWA to agreeing on monthly service maintenance fees with your landlord, or going through the Ejari registration process, be prepared for a lot of paperwork and signatures...
5. Dealing with pushy commission-based estate agents
This isn't exclusive to Dubai but rather a global issue. Estate agents often work on a commission-only basis and will do anything and everything possible to sell you that apartment or house.
Sometimes it means that they will withhold any information they might consider as an obstruction in getting you to sign up. For example, they might not tell you about prior issues with the home.
Be very careful who you deal with and make sure the estate agent in Dubai is fully licensed and registered with the government department known as the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) before signing or agreeing on anything.
6. Finding the right place for the right price
This is surely one of the most time-consuming tasks whilst house-hunting in Dubai. You might want to live in Dubai Marina, but your budget only allows for an apartment in Deira.
Be realistic about your expectations and know that different areas with great amenities might cost a lot more than what you initially thought.
Also, if a deal seems too good to be true, make sure you check it out properly before signing the contract.
7. Is this the nice JLT apartment I saw on the pictures???
We have probably all been in that situation before; you turn up in your location of choice to view an apartment and the moment the door opens it's anything but what you expected. It looks absolutely nothing like the high-quality photoshopped pictures on the advert.
Door handles are broken, walls are close to black, and the floor looks like it has never been cleaned...
Advice: Leave ASAP. Not worth the stress and Dubai's property scene offers endless options for all budgets.
8. When you are told on arrival that the apartment is already gone... !?!
Imagine driving in heavy rush hour traffic from Dubai Marina, down Sheikh Zayed Road, to Dubai Downtown... Upon arrival, the estate agent tells you that this particular property is ALREADY GONE and he has others available if interested...
Yes, the struggle is real... It's a total waste of everybody's time and it happens way too often...
9. Worrying about your deposit payment
In countries such as the UK, initial deposit payments are usually protected under government-administered escrow schemes in order to protect both the landlord and tenant.
In the absence of such systems in the UAE, tenants often fear they might never see their deposit again if they decide to move out after a few months/years... It's something many house-hunters take into consideration when deciding to move to a bigger or better place.
Note: Deposits will also have to be paid at DEWA and vary based on the size of your home.