Renting in Dubai and the UAE 2026: areas, prices, contract

In short: according to Russian-speaking expat chats, January–July 2026, a studio in Dubai costs from AED 4,400 a month in JVC to AED 7,000 in the Marina. Rent is paid with post-dated cheques, most often four a year. The contract is registered in Ejari, which costs AED 120 online. At renewal the landlord may raise the rent by no more than 20% (Decree No. 43 of 2013) and must give 90 days' notice.

Renting a home is the main expense when moving to the UAE. A studio in Dubai costs AED 4,400 to 7,000+ a month depending on the area, and the cheque payment system, mandatory Ejari registration and the 5% agent's commission add costs that are best prepared for in advance. This article covers prices across 16 Dubai areas, how the tenancy contract works, the rules on rent increases, scam schemes and the strategy of saving by living in Sharjah or Ajman. All prices come from Russian-speaking chats, January–July 2026, and the rules on Ejari, rent increases and eviction were checked against the Dubai Land Department website and the text of Decree No. 43 of 2013 on 13 November 2026.

How renting works in the UAE: cheques, Ejari, deposit

The UAE rental market works differently from Europe. There are three key elements to understand before you start searching: the cheque payment system, mandatory Ejari registration and the structure of the upfront costs.

The cheque system: 1, 2 or 4 payments a year

In the UAE, rent is paid not monthly but with post-dated cheques: bank cheques for a specific date that the landlord cashes on schedule. The standard options:

• 1 cheque: payment for the whole year upfront. The best-value option: landlords give a discount for full prepayment
• 2 cheques: payment every six months
• 4 cheques: quarterly. The most common option for those not ready to pay for a year at once
• 6 or 12 cheques: less common, usually at a premium

The principle is simple: the fewer the cheques, the lower the total. The difference between 1 and 4 cheques can be 5–10% of the annual cost. With a rental budget of AED 60,000 a year, that is a saving of AED 3,000–6,000.

To open a bank chequing account you need a residence visa and Emirates ID. Without them you cannot sign a long-term contract with cheques, only short-term rentals through platforms such as Airbnb.

An important point: a bounced cheque remains a serious problem. According to the UAE Central Bank, since 2 January 2022 criminal liability for a cheque without cover has been narrowed to cases of bad faith and other cheque offences, and the bank must pay the part of the amount that is in the account unless the payee refuses partial payment. The debt on the cheque does not disappear: the landlord is entitled to recover it and seek eviction for non-payment. Plan your budget so that there is money in the account on the date of each cheque.

Ejari: mandatory registration of the contract

Ejari (Arabic for "my rent") is the mandatory registration system for tenancy contracts, administered by the Dubai Land Department. Every tenancy contract in Dubai must be registered in Ejari.

Without Ejari registration you cannot (according to the DLD, Ejari is mandatory for connecting DEWA):

• connect DEWA (electricity and water)
• get home internet
• sponsor a visa for family members (in applicants' experience, Ejari is part of the standard document set)

Ejari registration, according to the DLD, costs AED 120 online (through the Dubai REST app or the DLD website) or about AED 220 at a Real Estate Services Trustee centre (AED 120 + AED 95 + VAT). The agent usually handles it, but the cost falls on the tenant.

For Ejari registration you will need:

• a copy of the tenant's passport and visa
• a copy of the Emirates ID
• the original tenancy contract (in English or Arabic)
• a copy of the title deed (the landlord's ownership document)
• payment of the fee (AED 120 online or about AED 220 at a centre)

Ejari is issued for the term of the contract and is renewed with it. When you change flats, the old Ejari is cancelled and a new one is issued. In applicants' experience, without a valid Ejari it is hard to renew a visa linked to that address.

Deposit and agent's commission (5%, min. AED 5,000)

The upfront costs when signing a contract are made up of several components. The deposit and commission amounts below reflect market practice according to the chats; the broker's commission, according to the DLD, is agreed between the parties.

According to Russian-speaking chats (January–July 2026), the agent's commission is 5% of the annual rent, but no less than AED 5,000. This means that even for a studio at AED 48,000 a year (AED 4,000 a month), the commission will be AED 5,000, not the calculated AED 2,400.

Example of upfront costs for a studio in JVC at AED 5,000 a month (AED 60,000 a year, 4 cheques):

The deposit is returned when you move out if the flat is in proper condition. In practice, landlords often withhold part of it for "repairs", so it is advisable to record the flat's condition in photos and video on moving in, with the date and time.

Also allow for connecting DEWA: the deposit for electricity and water is usually AED 2,000 for a flat. So when moving into a studio at AED 5,000 a month with 4 cheques, the real upfront costs can reach AED 25,000, almost half a year's salary for many Russian-speaking expats.

A contract is usually signed for 12 months. According to the DLD, a valid contract cannot be terminated unilaterally: early exit is possible by agreement of the parties or on the terms set out in the contract itself. In tenants' experience, contracts most often require 2–3 months' notice and compensation of two months' rent. Read the Early Termination section carefully before signing.

Dubai areas: prices across 16 locations

Below is the full table of 16 areas in Dubai and the neighbouring emirates, ordered by how often they are discussed in Russian-speaking chats. The number of mentions is an indirect indicator of popularity: the more often an area is discussed, the more Russian-speaking residents live there.

Prices according to Russian-speaking expat chats, January–July 2026. These are unofficial figures: messages do not always state the rental term, type of housing and condition of the flat. For JLT, JBR and Downtown no prices are given in the table: the chats contain no reliable figures for monthly rents of flats in these areas. Check prices against current listings and the DLD rental index. A detailed description of the areas is in the article Dubai areas.

Budget areas: JVC, Sports City, International City, Deira

JVC (Jumeirah Village Circle) is the most discussed budget area (237 mentions). Studios from AED 4,400, one-bedrooms (1BR) from AED 5,800. The area is developing fast: new towers, supermarkets and restaurants appear every quarter. On the downside, getting around without a car is hard, the nearest metro is far, and in summer walking is impossible because of the heat. Still, JVC is one of the best options for young couples and remote workers: new housing, reasonable prices, decent management companies.

Deira is the old part of Dubai, the historic trading centre. Rooms from AED 1,500 make it the cheapest option within Dubai. Dense housing, ethnic colour (Indian and Pakistani quarters), proximity to the metro and bus stations. The Gold Souk and Spice Souk are within walking distance. The downsides are noise, the lack of "new Dubai" polish and old housing stock. For those who value transport links and a minimal budget, it is one of the best options.

International City: studios from AED 2,000. One of the cheapest options in Dubai, but the area is far from the centre, infrastructure is minimal and the buildings are older and simpler. Many migrant workers from South Asia live in the area. It suits those prepared to sacrifice comfort for maximum savings who spend most of their time at home (remote work).

Sports City: studios from AED 4,000–5,000. An area with developed sports infrastructure (stadiums, academies, fitness centres) and green spaces. Far from the centre, but it can be a good choice for families with sporty children. No metro; you need a car.

Mid-range: Al Barsha, Business Bay, JLT

Al Barsha is the second most popular area (398 mentions). Studios ~AED 6,000, one-bedrooms ~AED 9,600–9,700. It is next to Mall of the Emirates (Mall of the Emirates metro), with good transport links and many shops, restaurants, pharmacies and supermarkets within walking distance. It is popular with families with children: several schools, parks and safe neighbourhoods nearby. On the downside, one-bedroom prices are above average (up to AED 9,700), which makes the area expensive for families who need a 1BR or 2BR.

Business Bay is Dubai's business centre, stretching along the Dubai Canal. Studios ~AED 5,000, 1BR from AED 7,000. New skyscrapers, views of the Burj Khalifa and the canal. Downtown is 5–10 minutes away by taxi. The downside: it is an area "for work", busy by day and empty in the evening. There are fewer shops and restaurants within walking distance than in the Marina or Al Barsha. It suits those who work in the same area and value new housing.

JLT (Jumeirah Lake Towers) is an area in "new Dubai" that the chats call a more affordable alternative to the neighbouring Marina. The chats contain no reliable figures for monthly studio rents, so go by current listings and the DLD rental index. It is next to the Marina (15 minutes on foot), has a metro station (DMCC), and dozens of cafes and restaurants surround the artificial lakes. The area is popular with young expats. The downside is that some towers are older and less well kept; quality depends on the specific building.

Damac Hills is an area of townhouses and apartments in the south of Dubai. 1BR ~AED 7,000. Green spaces, a golf club, playgrounds. It suits families who value quiet and accept that central Dubai is 20–30 minutes away by car.

Premium: Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah

The Marina is the clear leader in discussions (687 mentions) and probably the most popular area among Russian-speaking expats. Studios ~AED 7,000, rooms ~AED 2,000–2,250. The Marina Walk promenade with dozens of restaurants and cafes, 10 minutes to JBR beach, a metro station (Dubai Marina) and the tram. It is one of the few areas of Dubai where you can live comfortably without a car, at least in winter. In summer walking is impossible in 45-degree heat, but the infrastructure lets you move through air-conditioned passages between buildings.

For those not prepared to pay AED 7,000 for a studio, the Marina has the room-rental strategy: a master room for AED 3,000–5,000 or a regular room for AED 2,000–2,250. This way you can live in a premium area on a budget, with access to all its infrastructure.

JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) is a beachfront area next to the Marina. There is a lot of short-term rental here, noticeably more expensive than long-term. According to the chats, long-term rent in JBR is more expensive than in the Marina. The Beach and the Walk at JBR shopping area are its main attractions.

Downtown is the area around the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. According to the chats, it is one of the most expensive areas in the city. A prestigious address, fountains, the opera, and DIFC (the financial centre) nearby. The downsides are tourist congestion (traffic around Dubai Mall, noise from the fountains in the evenings) and a limited choice of budget supermarkets. It suits those who work in Downtown or DIFC and are prepared to pay for the atmosphere.

Palm Jumeirah is an artificial palm-shaped island. Premium and luxury segment: villas, penthouses, apartments with sea and Atlantis views. Prices are estimated to start at AED 10,000–15,000 a month for a one-bedroom. An area for those for whom budget is not a constraint. The monorail connects the Palm with the tram in the Marina.

Creek Harbour is a relatively new Emaar area on the shore of Dubai Creek. 1BR from AED 7,000–7,599. Views of the Creek Tower and the water canal, modern buildings. Infrastructure is still developing: not all restaurants and shops have opened. It suits those who want new housing in a quiet area close to nature (the mangroves, Ras Al Khor park).

"With children, live closer to the school. Without children, closer to work. There is no 'better' area without criteria."

— from chat discussions

Dubai vs Sharjah vs Ajman: is it worth saving

Sharjah (331 mentions) and Ajman (78 mentions) are two neighbouring emirates often considered as a budget alternative to Dubai. The price difference is significant: rent in Sharjah can be 30–50% cheaper than similar housing in Dubai, and in Ajman even lower.

Pros of Sharjah:

• Much cheaper than Dubai (rent, groceries, services)
• The cultural capital of the UAE: museums, festivals
• A family atmosphere and a calmer pace of life

Cons of Sharjah:

• Traffic on the Sharjah–Dubai bridge: 1–2 hours each way at rush hour
• The alcohol ban: according to residents, you cannot buy alcohol in Sharjah (in Dubai it is sold at licensed outlets)
• Less infrastructure: restaurants, malls, entertainment

Ajman is even cheaper, but even further from Dubai. Minimal infrastructure. It suits those who work remotely and are not tied to Dubai geographically.

The "live in Sharjah, work in Dubai" strategy is a common practice (142 mentions in the chats). It works if:

• your workplace is closer to the Sharjah border (Deira, Al Qusais)
• you can avoid rush hours (flexible schedule)
• you are ready to sit in traffic every day

"You can live here cheaply or expensively; of the 7 emirates, Dubai is the most expensive"

— from chat discussions

For families on a limited budget, Sharjah is a perfectly workable strategy. But you need to assess honestly how much time you are prepared to spend on the road. A rent difference of AED 2,000–3,000 a month may not pay off if you spend 3 hours a day commuting.

The chats have a case of a family who moved to Sharjah to save money but ran into financial difficulties on arrival: the savings on rent did not offset transport costs and lost time. This example is not universal, but it shows that the decision about Sharjah should be made with a calculator, not on emotion.

Another factor is Ejari and visa issues. If you get a visa through an employer in Dubai and live in Sharjah, that is fine. But if you rent in Sharjah, the contract, according to residents, is registered with the Sharjah municipality rather than Dubai's Ejari, and electricity and water are connected by the local SEWA instead of DEWA. A comparison of the emirates by cost is in the separate article Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman.

Where to search: Dubizzle, PropertyFinder, Bayut

The three main platforms for finding a home in the UAE:

Dubizzle (dubizzle.com) is the most popular site. Listings from agents and private landlords. A wide choice, but many duplicates and outdated listings. Filters: area, type of housing, number of cheques, furnished or not.

PropertyFinder (propertyfinder.ae) is an aggregator with a convenient interface. It often shows more up-to-date prices. Agents are verified (RERA number).

Bayut (bayut.com) is the third most popular platform. Integrated with Dubizzle (part of the same group), but the interface is aimed at the premium segment.

Search tips:

• Look at listings on all three sites: they overlap partly, but not completely
• Pay attention to the agent's RERA number: under DLD rules, a broker must be on the register and hold a RERA broker card
• Do not treat the listed price as final: it is a starting point for negotiation, especially if you are ready to pay with 1–2 cheques
• Specify the number of cheques in the filters: the price depends on it
• Contact several agents about the same building: prices can differ by 5–15%
• Filter by publication date: listings older than 2 weeks are often outdated
• If you found a flat on Dubizzle, check whether it is cheaper on PropertyFinder (and vice versa)

Besides the main platforms, it is useful to watch Facebook and Telegram groups: landlords sometimes post there, bypassing agents. In that case you can save the 5% commission, though you will have to handle Ejari and the document checks yourself.

Furniture: flats are let empty

Most flats in Dubai are let unfurnished. That means bare walls, a fitted kitchen (usually only cabinets and a hob), a bathroom and air conditioning. No bed, no sofa, no washing machine.

According to the chats (January–July 2026), a minimal set of furniture and appliances costs from AED 2,000 if you buy the cheapest options. Where to buy:

• IKEA: the standard choice, delivery across Dubai in 1–2 days
• Home Centre: a local chain, slightly lower price segment than IKEA
• Dubizzle (second-hand): expats often sell furniture when leaving; you can buy a set for AED 500–1,000
• Dragon Mart: a shopping centre with Chinese goods, the lowest prices, but quality to match

Furnished flats cost more, and the deposit is 10% of the annual rent instead of 5%. For those coming for 1–2 years, furnished may be better value given the cost of buying and later selling furniture. As a rule, furnished is noticeably more expensive; the premium depends on the area and the quality of the furnishings.

If you decide to furnish the flat yourself, here is an approximate minimum budget:

Second-hand furniture is sold on Dubizzle in the "Home & Garden" section. Before leaving, expats often sell everything for 30–50% of the price, which is convenient for both seller and buyer.

RERA: rules on rent increases

RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) is the division of the Dubai Land Department that regulates Dubai's rental market. One of its main functions is controlling rent increases.

A landlord cannot raise the rent arbitrarily when renewing a contract. The limit is set by Decree No. 43 of 2013: from 0 to 20% depending on how far the current rent is below the average in the Rental Index approved by RERA. The scale from Article 1 of the decree:

Source: Decree No. 43 of 2013, Article 1. You can check your case with the Rental Index calculator on the DLD website.

How it works in practice:

1. The landlord must notify the tenant of a change in terms at least 90 days before the contract expires (DLD)
2. The market average for a specific building or flat can be checked with the RERA calculator on the Dubai Land Department website
3. If the landlord raises the rent above the permitted level, the tenant can go to the Rental Disputes Center (RDC)
4. If there was no notice, the terms generally cannot be changed at this renewal; disputed cases are heard by the Rental Disputes Center

This is an important protection for tenants: even in a rising market, increases are limited. Under the scale, if the rent is 11–20% below market the landlord can raise it by at most 5%; according to Russian-speaking chats, this is the most typical scenario.

Practical tip: before renewing, check your rent with the RERA calculator (available on dubailand.gov.ae). If your rent is already at or above market level, the landlord has no right to raise it. The calculator shows the average price by building, floor and type of flat. It is your main argument in negotiations.

According to the chats (145 mentions), rising rent is one of the most common complaints among Russian-speaking expats. The typical scenario: at renewal, the landlord proposes a 10–15% increase. The first reaction is to agree. The right reaction is to check the RERA calculator and, if the increase exceeds the limit, suggest the landlord go to the RDC. In most cases this brings the requested increase down to the permitted level.

If the rent is objectively below market, an increase is inevitable. In that case you can try to negotiate: offer 1–2 cheques instead of 4 (landlords value fast full payment) or ask for extra services (minor repairs, new appliances) in exchange for agreeing to the increase.

Rental scams: prepayment, QR codes, fake listings

Rental fraud is a systemic problem in the UAE. Of the 1,712 mentions of fraud in Russian-speaking chats, a significant share relates to renting.

The main rule: no prepayment

"The main thing: don't pay anyone in advance, pay only on the spot"

— advice repeated 597 times in the chats

This rule applies to everything, from renting to currency exchange. But with renting it is especially relevant.

Typical fraud schemes

QR fraud. You are sent a QR code supposedly to "book a viewing" or "confirm solvency". When you scan it, money is debited. Never scan QR codes from strangers.

Fake listings. Listings with understated prices appear on Dubizzle and other sites. The aim is to collect contacts and then offer "another flat" at the market price or demand a "booking deposit".

Prepayment before viewing. "The flat is very popular; pay a deposit or it will go" is a classic scheme. A licensed agent will never ask for money before the contract is signed and Ejari registered.

An unlicensed agent. Every legal real estate agent in Dubai has a RERA number. You can check it on the Dubai Land Department website. If the agent cannot provide a number, that is a reason to be wary.

How to protect yourself

• Pay nothing before the contract is signed and Ejari registered
• Check the agent's RERA number on the DLD website
• View the flat in person: do not close a deal on photos and video
• Do not scan QR codes from strangers
• If the price is well below market, it is either a scam or the property has serious problems
• In case of fraud, go to the police (a police report is filed quickly)
• Communicate with the agent only through official channels (WhatsApp with a verified business account, the agency's office)

Red flags when renting

Signs that should make you wary:

1. A price well below market (by 30–40% or more): most likely a scam or hidden defects
2. The agent rushes your decision: "the flat will be gone tomorrow", pressure of urgency
3. They ask for a money transfer before the viewing: definitely a scam
4. The agent cannot provide a RERA number or the agency's business card
5. The flat is shown not by an agent but by "a friend of the landlord": an unofficial deal
6. The listing has no real photos (only renders or photos of another flat)
7. The contract is not on the standard form (an Ejari-compatible contract has a specific form)

Moving in belongings and furniture: management company permission

A nuance few people warn you about: to move furniture and large items into a flat, you need permission from the building's management company. The procedure:

1. Submit a request to the management company (usually via an app or email)
2. Wait for approval: 2–3 working days
3. Get an assigned date and time for the delivery
4. Stick strictly to the schedule: the service lift is booked for a specific slot

Without approval, security may not let the movers into the building. This applies to furniture deliveries (IKEA, Home Centre) and to moving from another flat. Plan the move-in in advance, especially if you are moving at the weekend or on a holiday.

This nuance is often an unpleasant surprise: you ordered an IKEA delivery, and the movers are not allowed into the car park because there is no permission from the management company. The result is a repeat (paid) delivery or a 2–3-day wait. Request permission right after signing the contract; do not put it off.

The same rule applies when moving out: removing furniture also has to be approved by the management company. When handing back the flat, make sure all your belongings are gone before the landlord's inspection, or part of the deposit may be withheld for "cleaning".

Utilities: what is not included in the rent

Rent in the UAE usually does not include utilities. The main expenses on top of the rent:

DEWA is the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. Electricity and water bills in the UAE are high. The main reason is air conditioning, which runs 24/7 for at least 5 months a year (May–September, when temperatures reach 40–50 degrees). According to the chats, a typical DEWA bill for a studio is AED 600–1,000 a month.

Connecting DEWA requires a registered Ejari contract (DLD) and a deposit: in tenants' experience, usually AED 2,000 for a flat. In addition, the tenant pays the municipal housing fee: according to the DLD, it is 5% of the annual rent, included as a separate line on the electricity bill and unrelated to 5% VAT. With rent of AED 60,000 a year, that is AED 3,000 a year, or AED 250 a month.

In some buildings, cooling is centralised (chiller). In that case chiller costs are billed separately from DEWA and can add AED 200–500 a month. Check this when viewing a flat: the question "Chiller free or chiller included?" must be asked.

The difference between "chiller free" and "chiller not included" is significant. In a building with chiller included, you pay only for electricity and water. In a building with a separate chiller, the bill can rise by AED 300–500 in the summer months, when the air conditioning runs around the clock. Over a year that is AED 3,600–6,000 in extra costs.

Another question to ask before signing: who pays the building's service charge. According to the DLD, the landlord is responsible for it, while the tenant may be asked to contribute to cooling costs if consumption in the building is not metered per flat. An attempt to pass the service charge on to the tenant should be discussed before signing.

How to choose an area: criteria

There is no "better" area without criteria. Dubai is a conurbation where areas can be 30–40 km apart. Here are the main criteria for choosing.

With children, choose the area by the school, not the other way round. Schools in Dubai are fee-paying (according to the chats, from USD 5,000 a year). Driving a child across the city every day is unmanageable logistics. First choose the school, then a home near it.

Without children, live closer to work. Dubai is designed for cars. Walking is comfortable only in a few areas: the Marina, JBR, Downtown (and even then in winter). If your workplace is in Business Bay, look for housing in Business Bay, Downtown or JLT. If it is in Jebel Ali, JVC or Discovery Gardens.

On a limited budget, consider Sharjah or a room. A room in the Marina (AED 2,000–2,250) costs less than a studio in JVC (AED 4,400–5,000), and the area's infrastructure is better. Sharjah is an option for families on a limited budget.

Working remotely: JVC or JLT. There is no need to be in the centre. JVC offers new housing at moderate prices, and JLT housing next to the Marina that, according to the chats, is cheaper than the Marina itself.

You need a car. In most areas you cannot manage without a car or daily taxis. The exceptions are the Marina, JBR, Downtown and Deira (they have the metro). Car hire costs from AED 75 a day through aggregators; long-term hire AED 2,500–3,000 a month. Allow for these costs when choosing an area: by saving AED 2,000 on rent in distant JVC instead of JLT, you can spend as much or more on transport.

"Dubai is not a city for pedestrians; you need a car. Hire costs 2.5–3 thousand a month."

— from a resident's experience

Viewing checklist. When viewing, pay attention to:

• The condition of the air conditioning and plumbing (leaks are a common problem in older buildings)
• Chiller free or paid separately
• The view and the floor (lower floors are cheaper, but street noise)
• The distance to the nearest supermarket (Spinneys, Carrefour, Lulu)
• Parking (1 space is usually included, extra ones are paid)
• The quality of the management company (reviews on Google Maps)
• Water pressure (check in the bathroom during the viewing)

How much housing costs: a budget summary

For clarity, a summary table by type of housing:

According to Russian-speaking expat chats, January–July 2026.

Housing is the main expense in the UAE. According to the same chats, the minimum living budget for one person in Dubai is about AED 11,000 a month, of which AED 5,000–7,000 goes on rent. For a family, AED 17,000 to 28,000 a month.

When choosing between an expensive area with infrastructure and a cheap one without it, consider the "hidden" costs: taxis, grocery delivery, commuting time. Sometimes a studio in the Marina for AED 7,000 costs no more than a studio in International City for AED 2,000 plus AED 2,000 on transport plus lost time.

For clarity, a comparison of real monthly costs for two scenarios:

Scenario 1: a studio in the Marina for AED 7,000

• Rent: AED 7,000
• DEWA: AED 700
• Transport (metro, walking): AED 300
• Total: ~AED 8,000

Scenario 2: a studio in International City for AED 2,500

• Rent: AED 2,500
• DEWA: AED 600
• Transport (car or taxi): AED 2,500–3,000
• Total: ~AED 5,600–6,100

The difference is AED 2,000 a month. Significant, but not fivefold, as the rents might suggest. And the quality of life, infrastructure and commuting time are not comparable.

Renting for new arrivals: first steps

If you do not yet have a residence visa and have just arrived in the UAE, a full annual contract with cheques is not available. The first step is to get a residence visa. Here is what you can do:

1. Short-term rental: Airbnb, Booking (from AED 3,000–5,000 a month for a studio). More expensive, but no commitments
2. Get a residence visa through an employer, a free zone or another route. More in our article on UAE residence
3. Open a bank account and get a chequebook; this requires an Emirates ID
4. Search through the platforms: Dubizzle, PropertyFinder, Bayut
5. Sign the contract with Ejari registration
6. Connect DEWA and the internet once you have Ejari

The whole process from arrival to moving into long-term housing takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how quickly you get the visa and Emirates ID. More on the process in our article on moving to the UAE.

While waiting for the visa and Emirates ID, budget for temporary housing: AED 3,000–5,000 a month for a studio through Airbnb or Booking (with monthly booking). This is the "entry ticket" to allow for when planning the move.

Opening a bank account is a separate procedure that can take from 1 day to 2 weeks depending on the bank and your profile. More in the article on money and banks in the UAE. A chequebook is usually issued within 5–7 working days after the account is opened.

What not to expect

A few things that often come as an unpleasant surprise:

• Rent rises every year. According to the chats (145 mentions), rising rent is one of the main complaints. RERA limits increases, but within the permitted range landlords raise rents regularly
• Flats are empty. No furniture, no appliances, sometimes no cooker. Budget from AED 2,000 for furnishing
• DEWA is expensive. AED 600–1,000 a month for a studio is normal. The air conditioning runs around the clock 5 months a year
• It is hard without a car. Most budget areas have no metro stations nearby
• The agent's commission is 5%, minimum AED 5,000. Even for a cheap flat you will pay the agent at least AED 5,000
• A bounced cheque is serious. If there is no money in the account on the date the cheque is cashed, the landlord is entitled to recover the debt and seek eviction for non-payment
• Chiller is a hidden cost. In some buildings, cooling is paid separately: +AED 300–500 a month in summer

Contract renewal and eviction

A contract is usually signed for 12 months with automatic renewal. The terms (including the price) can be changed only by notifying the other party at least 90 days before the contract expires (DLD); without such notice, the contract is generally renewed on the same terms.

A landlord can evict a tenant only on the grounds listed in Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 on tenancy (the DLD counts 13 such cases). The most common ones for a good tenant:

• sale of the flat (12 months' notice through a notary or by registered post)
• use for the personal residence of the landlord or their relatives (12 months' notice through a notary or by registered post)
• demolition of the building for redevelopment with the authorities' permits (12 months' notice through a notary or by registered post)

Without proper notice (through a notary or by registered post, at least 12 months in advance, DLD), eviction on these grounds is unlawful. If the landlord applies pressure, go to the Rental Disputes Center. According to the chats, the RDC more often sides with the tenant when there are documents.

A tenant can leave a contract early only if the contract provides for it or it is agreed with the landlord (DLD). In tenants' experience, the typical condition is 2–3 months' notice and compensation of two, less often three, months' rent. Signs of bad-faith landlords and agents are covered in the article Renting in the UAE without scams.