UAE: How you can find a cheap place to rent in Dubai

Dubai: Looking for a cheap place to rent? Whether you are working on a tighter budget or just wish to save more prudently, finding the right place to rent can go a long way in staying in control of your expenses.

Rent rates across the UAE depend on the location and size of the property and as a tenant you can pay rent in a single yearly payment or through multiple installments, as agreed with the broker or landlord. Read our detailed guide on all you need to know before renting a house in the UAE here.

How to search for apartments or villas based on rent?

Dubai

The Dubai REST app, by the Dubai Land Department, provides details on the rent you can expect to pay based on the area you wish to live in, within the emirate. The app provides the rent range for studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units in various parts of the emirate.

How to use it?

1. Download the Dubai REST app, available for Google and Apple phones.

2. Select ‘Rental index’.

3. You can then either enter details manually of the type of apartment you are looking for or locate areas on the map to find out what a residential unit – whether an apartment or villa – will cost.

For example, on November 1, 2020, a one-bedroom apartment would cost upwards of Dh32,000 per year in the Abu Hail and Al Qusais area of Dubai, while in the Al Sufouh area, you would end up paying anywhere between Dh63,000 to Dh77,000.

As these rents are within the range approved by the Dubai Land Deparment, it is a handy resource to focus your house hunt within areas that suit your budget.

Another website started by Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) provides a similar service to people looking to rent an apartment or villa in Dubai – simsari.ae

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Government’s unified services website tamm.abudhabi guides residents looking for accommodation to search for units through registered brokers and Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties.

If you want to check the registration of the Abu Dhabi based real estate broker you are dealing with, you can do so here.

In other emirates, too, you can verify that the broker you are dealing with is registered by asking for the agent card number and then reaching out to the emirate’s municipal authority or department of economic development.

Other websites

Several privately run websites, like getthat.com/property/rent can also be a great way to compare rents across different areas within an emirate, or even between two neighbouring emirates, as they aggregate information from various brokerages and real estate management companies. By selecting your budget and size of the unit you are looking to rent, you can find a list of options available to you.

Apart from online resources, it is always a great experience to drive around the city and visit buildings or areas that you may be interested in. Most buildings have the contact details of the real estate management company or the building security listed, which can be a good place to start placing inquiries.