Decide on an area
Firstly you need to decide on which area or development you want to live in, several factors that could influence this decision would be renting close to you work place, children`s school or near family and friends. Although you may be looking for a sea view or close to recreational and sports activities.
Work out your finances
When renting an apartment or villa the annual or monthly rent will depend mostly on what you can afford and your income or salary. Make sure you add in the costs of electricity, water, satellite and internet packages along with any other extra charges. Owners and Landlords tend to offer a reduction in rent if this is paid up front on a yearly basis on the other hand it may be more convenient for you to pay monthly this we will help you discuss with the Owners and Landlords in advance.
Have your paperwork ready
Most Owners and Landlords will keep a copy of your passport when you rent a property from them. It`s best to make copies of all your important documents in advance as you will also need them when connecting telephone, water, electricity and internet. You should also have copies of your valid residence visa and driving licence just to be on the safe side. Ask your designated leasing consultant and they can guide you more on this process and answer any questions.
Choose an agent/agency
When you instruct us to be your preferred local agent for finding the perfect rental property for you and your family we aim to please. You are instructing a registered company with the Government of Dubai Land Department Approved RERA Real Estate Agent Registration Number 928. Therefore you`ll be safe in our hands as we are fully licensed with all regulatory departments.
Rental property viewings
Most of our clients want to see a good range of properties before making their final decision. This can be done in mornings, afternoons, evenings or weekends to fit in with your schedule. Simply call your consultant and they will arrange all this on your behalf with a confirmation call to you with times when complete.
Making an offer
After viewing all the properties with your leasing consultant you may want to make an offer to the Owners and Landlords on a certain price, some may also be flexible with payment plans and also give reductions on full payments in advance for the year.
Agreeing to rent
Once you have accepted your rental offer you really only need to agree with the Owner or Landlord on a moving in date. Now this can depend on whether the property is occupied with a tenant already or if it is vacant in which case it`s easier. Thereafter it`s only a case of connecting your telephone, electricity, water and internet and you can move in.
We will advise on your behalf throughout this process, keeping you informed every step of the way in case you need us.
Tenancy Contract & Deposit
As with all steps in the rental process it is part of our service that we prepare a rental agreement unless the owner or landlord has one specifically for their property. Our agreements are all RERA attested and certified. Once the agreement is finalized your deposit shall be passed onto the owner.
Tenancy contract signed
Once your Tenancy Contract is signed, we will conduct the final inventory screening to ensure the property is ready and waiting for you to move into and enjoy.
Moving Into your home
Once all the paperwork and contracts have been signed along with the deposit and the balance payment you are ready to move into your new home. At West Gate Real Estate we can also advise you on removal companies to use or other useful information such as schools that are close by and perhaps recreational activities. We hope you enjoy you new home and remember we are only a phone call away if you need any follow up assistance or support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any person of any nationality with a valid U.A.E residence visa and current bank account with a personal cheque book can rent a property in Dubai.
By an Individual:
- Passport
- Residency Visa
By a company:
- Trade License
- Trade License
- Passport of the Company Owner
- Passport of the tenant
- Residency of the Tenant
Tenancy Contracts are usually for a period of one year and renewable thereafter.
To rent a property in Dubai, Landlords accept payments in the form of a cheque either from a personal or company UAE bank account. Payment terms depend on the Landlord, but can range from either one cheque for the duration of the tenancy or up to 12 cheques but either way all the cheques are required to be given upon signing the Tenancy Contract. There is also an initial 5% of the value of the Tenancy Contract required as a security deposit to be held by the Landlord.
There are no service charges involved as this is the responsibility of the Landlord; however, there is a municipality tax of 5% of the annual rent which is shown separately on your electricity bill. In addition, West Gate Real Estate charges an Agency fee of 5% of the Tenancy Contract amount which shall not be less than AED 4000.
We will find you the property that best suits both your needs and requirements. Once we find the property you’re looking for and a price is agreed with the Landlord, a security deposit amount of 5% is required at the contract signing stage of the Tenancy Contract which is payable to the Landlord. Once the Tenancy Contract has been signed by both you and the Landlord, West Gate Real Estate will hand over the keys to you and ensure DEWA connection has been completed. Upon completion of the above, the Agency fee of 5% is payable to West Gate Real Estate along with the AED 500 for DEWA activation and Ejari registration service fee.
No you are not allowed to sub-let the property. This is against the rules of the UAE.
We can do this on your behalf provided a service fee of AED 500 is paid to West Gate Real Estate.
They are allowed at the discretion of the Landlord or Developer; however some communities do not allow pets and is stated in the community rules.
The majority of properties in Dubai are not equipped with appliances.
No, you are not allowed to make changes without written permission from the Landlord. This will include painting and fixtures and fittings.
Rental prices are governed by the Rental Index issued by RERA. Please speak to your leasing consultant to check on the current conditions.
All Dubai Courts registered POAs can be checked online as follows:
- Visit www.dubaicourts.gov.ae
- Go to the tab ‘public e- service’
- Inquiries
- Inquiry about a document
- Document Type: ‘Authentication Register’
- Year: Year of registration
- Serial Number: Enter serial number of document
- 10% or less than the average similar rent – Landlord cannot increase the rent.
- 11-20% less than the average similar rent – Landlord may increase rent by up to 5%.
- 21-30% less than the average similar rent – Landlord may increase rent by up to 10%.
- 31-40% less than the average similar rent – Landlord may increase rent by up to 15%.
- Over 40% less than the average similar rent – Landlord may increase rent by up to 20%.
Example of calculating the increase in property rent rate in the Emirate of Dubai according to the fees:
- Average rent in the official index = AED 80,000
- Current rate stated in the lease contract = AED 60,000
- Calculating the decrease in rent below the average rent in the official index:
(80,000 – 60,000) / 80,000 x 100
- Decrease in rent below the average rent in the official index – 25%
- Upon referral to the cases stated in the Decree, the rate in this case will be from 21-30%, which allows an increase of 10%
- Increase in rent= 60,000 x 10% = AED 6,000
- Rent after increase: 60,000 + 6000 = AED 66,000
- Original Unified Tenancy Contract.
- Title deed and/or affection plan: If the Title Deed document is not available (for example, because the property is newly built), provide the affection plan issued by the Dubai Municipality. In compliance with RERA regulations, Ejari offices only accept Affection Plans issued by the Dubai Municipality.
- DEWA number (found on the side on the property’s entrance).
- Copy of the Tenant’s passport (with pages that show the signatures). Tenant must have a valid UAE Visa (pink colour sticker on passport) and this document should be valid at the moment of document submission.
- Tenant’s Emirates ID.
- Trade license copy or DED’s initial approval in case of a commercial tenancy contract.
Ejari registration Fees- to be paid to RERA through any of the authorized property management companies / RERA approved centres.
Rental Disput Process
- Bring supporting documents to RDSC:
- ORIGINAL Lease (or copy of Lease and faxed request to Landlord for original)
- Proof of payment of rent (cheques);
- Passport and Title Deed copies.
- Pay the fee – 3.5% of Lease value (500 AED minimum – 20,000 AED maximum).
- Fill out application and claim form.
- Arbitration Department will try to settle disputes amicably within 15 days.
- If not successful, a lawsuit filed through Department of First Instance, settled within 30 days.
- If parties wish to appeal, the Department of Appeal will issue final verdict within 30 days (only on cases over 100,000 AED, under certain conditions, with fee for 15% of dispute amount).
- Offer & Deposit – Tenant provides new Lease (2 originals) and cheque(s). Landlord has 15 days to accept or file claim against Tenant.
