Relocating To Dubai

With our deep understanding of real estate and experience of providing efficient recruitment solutions at all levels of the market, Macdonald & Company is ideally placed to meet the needs of candidates and clients across Asia. We act for Developers, Property Companies, Banks, Funds, Consultancies and Occupiers across the region.

Accommodation

The majority of rented accommodation in Dubai is unfurnished (although kitchens may be partly or fully equipped). Many villas and new apartments have central air-conditioning already installed and a range of furniture and household equipment.

In order to rent property in the United Arab Emirates, you will normally have to pay for the entire year of tenancy either in cash or in checks. If payment is made by cheques, most landlords will limit it to 2 to 4 cheque payments. In addition to the tenancy payment, if the flat/apartment/condo or house/villa was taken through a property agency, then a 5% commission is required to be paid to them. Most premises will require the payment of a refundable security deposit of 500 to 5,000 dirham. As utility bills are paid by a tenant, it is normally required that a refundable deposit of 1,000 to 2,000 dirham be paid to the landlord for usage of water, electricity and gas. Some premises also require the payment of a 10% municipality tax.

Rental Laws

Tenancy contracts in the United Arab Emirates normally last for a year, with exception to Sharjah which is normally for three years, and within that time landlords are not permitted to increase the rental price until it requires renewal. At the time of renewal, a landlord is not permitted to increase the rent by more than 20% (15% in Dubai as of 12th Nov. 2005). If a dispute happens between a tenant and landlord on the price increase, the issue should be taken to the city's Municipality department to settle.

Landlord Obligations

Landlords are normally obligated to handle the annual maintenance of their property and they are not permitted to evict a tenant without just cause within the tenancy contract time period.

Fully Furnished One-Bedroom Flat - Dhs. 6,250 per month

Unfurnished Two-Bedroom Flat - Dhs. 90,000 per year

Unfurnished Three-Bedroom - Dhs. 115,000 per year

Villa three bedroom [Mirdiff] - Dhs. 100,000 per year

Click here to obtain a list of real estate agents in Dubai who can assist you in searching for a house in your preferred location suitable to your budget.

Car Purchase/Rental

The preferred and most convenient method of transportation is a private vehicle (which most expatriates view as a necessity). Cars are readily available and prices range from Dhs 30,000 for a small car to as much as you are willing to pay. Only individuals with resident status may buy cars in the UAE. Gasoline sells for about Dhs 4 per gallon and is widely available in major urban areas. A valid UAE license is required in order to purchase a vehicle.

If you wish to hire a car in the UAE, bring with you a valid international driving licence, your national driving licence, two photographs and your passport. In Dubai you will be issued with a UAE temporary driving permit by car hire companies on presentation of valid national or international driving licences, two photographs and a passport. Most foreign driving licences are accepted provided you are a citizen or resident of the country issuing the licence. If not, you will need an international driving licence. In Abu Dhabi you will need an international driving licence to obtain a temporary permit.

A number of car hire companies offer car leasing services, which allow individuals to lease the car for months. Most of the large car hire firms are represented at airports and hotels. Some local firms also operate car hire services. Rates can vary so it is best to shop around. Av. Figures = Dhs 100 (Mitsubishi Lancer) – Dhs 600 (Toyota Landcruiser) per week. Prices naturally differ on the type of car chosen. The leasing amount is fixed and maintenance for the car is handled by the company. The leasing company can also replace the vehicle at anytime, and some companies also have options for you to own the vehicle at the end of the lease.

Popular Rent A Car Companies

Schooling

Generally speaking the quality of international schools available in Dubai and throughout the UAE is high, and the best and most popular primary and secondary schools and tertiary colleges all have long waiting lists.

If you’re going to live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Sharjah or Al Ain for example, you should consider researching your options on the internet and applying online to get your children into your preferred school before you actually relocate to the UAE.

In Dubai specifically, the number of international schools is increasing all the time as the population of the emirate expands rapidly and demand for quality education establishments grows.  The Dubai English Speaking School, for example, has expanded to its limits and opened a brand new secondary school in 2006 to cater for ever increasing student numbers.

International expatriates have a range of schools to choose from and choice is likely to be dictated by both location and curriculum.  The majority of schools have a website where the curriculum, method of teaching and annual fees are discussed and where parents and pupils can get a feel for the school environment.  If securing accommodation in UAE is also on the expatriate’s list of things to do it might be best to secure school places for children before finding an apartment or villa to rent as schools are spaced out across the UAE and traffic can be quite chaotic at times making it difficult to travel far at peak times.

Those from the UK or USA have the greatest choice of schools in UAE because the majority of establishments follow either the British or American curriculum.  For those seeking alternatives there are French schools in Dubai and Al Nasr and there’s an Australian school and a German school in Sharjah.

For a detailed listing of international, British and American Schools try english-schools.org and for a list of schools specifically in the UAE try www.theemiratesnetwork.com/dir/Education/Schools where the schools are divided by emirate and where you can find internet links to the majority of institutions listed.

Typically primary level education fees range from 10,000 AED upwards per term per person.

Some companies offer paid education for children, but again these are becoming less and less as people are prepared to sacrifice more just to come to Dubai and enjoy life as an expat.

Surrounding Area

Click below to download the following information:

The country of Qatar

The country of Oman

The country of Kuwait

The country of Bahrain

The country of Saudi Arabia

Top things to do in Dubai 

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