Real Estate

Renting and buying property in the UAE

When renting, confirm who the landlord is and that the person advertising has the authority to lease. In Dubai, tenancy contracts are registered through Ejari and brokers must hold a RERA card — ask for the permit number and match it against the listing. Cheques remain the standard payment method; never hand over cash without a receipt and a signed contract.

Factor in the full move-in cost: security deposit, agency commission where a broker is involved, utility connection, and cooling charges, which vary widely between buildings. Visiting at different times of day tells you more about noise, parking, and traffic than any photo set.