Rents across Dubai have generally seen a downward trend with reports highlighting a decline in several communities and how tenants are taking advantage of the situation. We talk to some residents about their experiences negotiating with their landlords.
My rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Silicon Oasis went down from Dh60,000 to Dh58,000, which is good, but it did not make much difference. As there is now the VAT expense, now you have to pay extra 5 per cent on your Dewa and internet, which makes it the same payment for a tenant when you calculate all the costs on the apartment. I find properties in Dubai very expensive to rent compared to the other countries. I hope to see them going down a bit because these days Dubai is not a cheap place to live.
Maykel Haddad, 28, Lebanese, cabin crew
Living in Qusais for six years now, our rent had increased every year until this renewal when we reached out to the building management company and tried to negotiate. There were various good options available to move to within the Dh60,000 range in the same vicinity. But our management company agreed to lower the rent by Dh3,000, which was a 5 per cent savings for my family, so we decided to stay. Changing house does incur expenses, like the cost of movers, new Dewa connection, commissions etc., which I consider as my additional savings.
Anam Zaidi 30, Pakistani, ladies salon owner
I’ve lived in an apartment in Dubai Marina for the past two years and I have not witnessed any rent reduction in my apartment. Last September, since the rentals were in a downward trend, my husband tried to negotiate with the landlord, but he did not agree to reduce our rent. We are paying Dh145,000 for a two-bedder with three parking slots. My friend resides in another building just across the street, and she had a rent reduction this year, so I am expecting my landlord will consider lessening our rent this September.
Carla Cardoso de Oliveira, 49, Brazilian, homemaker
We rented a studio in October from Al Wasl in Discovery Gardens and our rent is the same this year, as it was last year. There are some offers that the leasing companies like Nakheel and Al Wasl offer, such as a 14-month contract for the price of 12. However, these proposals are for select units and not all apartments. For example, we wanted a studio with eight-door wardrobes and a balcony, which does not come under their offer. Therefore, we have not experienced any rent fall even this year.
Derek Wilson 37, Indian, management consultant
I expected a sharp fall in my rent, which is Dh72,000 for a one-bedder. Some of my friends moved into this area recently and paid almost Dh10,000 less than what I was paying. Unfortunately since I was renewing my tenancy contract, I could not negotiate much and just got a free extended stay of 15 days on the current contract. I took into consideration the half-month free rental worth Dh3,000 and the agency fees of around Dh4,000. Along with this comes the hassle of shifting and setting up a new living space. I managed to satiate myself after looking into all of these factors.
Dyootiman Pal, 31, Indian, general manager
We live in a four-bedroom villa in Al Sufouh inside a gated community. We feel fortunate that in our first year of contract renewal in October we received a 5 per cent rent reduction, which came to a total of Dh10,000. Three months prior to the renewal date, we approached the landlord requesting for a rent reduction, however, it was declined at that time. Closer to the rent renewal date, we contacted him again and at that time he requested us to send a written request. To our pleasant surprise, our request was approved and we got a rent reduction. It was unexpected since initially he had rejected our request, but we are very happy as we love staying in this community.
