Property tenant's guide in Dubai

If you are moving from an apartment to a villa for the first time or you are a first-time renter, setting a budget is imperative. Ensure that your rent is within your budget and does not exceed it. Consider all upfront costs, such as the deposit, up-front rent, DEWA connection fees, removals fees, and commissions, along with monthly running costs, such as DEWA and other utilities.

Having a real estate broker assist you in finding a home in a competitive market and negotiating the lease terms with your landlord is very useful. The broker will keep you informed about new and upcoming listings and can suggest alternative options that fit your needs. You need a broker who is knowledgeable about the areas you are looking for and is RERA-qualified. When you view a property, your broker should be accompanying you, and you should take note of any maintenance problems you see so your broker can arrange for repairing them before you move in.

After you've found the property you like, you're ready to make an offer. You must provide your Emirates ID and visa at the point of offer, and write three checks for the deposit, the first rental payment, and your broker's commission. Your broker's name should appear on the third check along with your landlord's name on the first two. A unified Ejari contract will be drawn up once the lease has been agreed on in all aspects. It is imperative to add to the contract everything that has been agreed upon with the landlord,otherwise, those points are not enforceable. When all parties have signed the contract and the checks have cleared, you will receive the keys and you will be able to move in.

You must register your tenancy with Ejari after signing the tenancy agreement. This is normal practice for tenants to do, however, our Property Management Team will accomplish this for you if your property is managed by us. The Al Manara Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road is one of the centres where Ejari registration can be completed. Your broker will provide you with a copy of your title deed, plus a copy of your tenancy contract, your landlord's ID, and a copy of your landlord's ID.

Since DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) is now linked to the Ejari system, you will not be able to activate DEWA until your Ejari has been activated. However, you can activate DEWA at the Al Manara Centre in conjunction with your Ejari and your DEWA connection should be activated within 24 hours. If you plan on claiming your refund at the end of your tenancy, make sure you have collected the receipt after paying.