With a land area of more than 67,000 square kilometres, Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the country. It also happens to be the capital of the UAE; here you will find the seat of the President. Every year, many people come and visit Abu Dhabi for work, travel, and business purposes.
If you have just arrived in Abu Dhabi, or if you are planning to come here soon — then you’re going to need a place to stay. Just like anywhere else, looking for an apartment can be a daunting task! And so, we decided to come up with this guide to renting an apartment in the capital.
Guide to Renting a Flat in Abu Dhabi
Today, we’re going to talk about the things you need, where to look, rental costs, signing a lease, and making payments on an apartment in Abu Dhabi.
Things You Need
Before anything else, make sure that you have the following documents ready, as you will need them for signing a lease:
- Emirates ID
- Cheque Book
- Passport w/ Residency Visa
Where to Look
There are many properties to choose from in Abu Dhabi. Simply go online and browse the following sites for rental apartments:
Meanwhile, you can also ask your family and friends in Abu Dhabi for suggestions. Newspaper classifieds and supermarket bulletin boards also have advertisements that you could check out. If you have time, you can go to residential buildings directly and ask the concierge for keys to available units.
Rental Costs
The cost of renting would depend largely on location, space, and amenities. For instance, a studio apartment at Reem Island (a popular area for expats) costs around AED 45,000/month. A one-bedroom unit costs AED 60,000 – AED 70,000 per month, and a two-bedroom apartment could cost AED 80,000 up to as much as AED 145,000/month!
Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment at the Corniche costs more, around AED 75,000 – AED 90,000 per month, and a two-bedroom unit could cost AED 125,000/month. The price also goes up with the floor level; a 20th floor apartment would charge higher than an 8th floor unit, for example.
Signing a Lease
Once you have chosen an apartment, you can start negotiating with the landlord. Yes, you can negotiate for a better price, especially if there are other available units in the same building!
Upon agreement, you will need to make a security deposit, which is usually 5 percent of the total amount. This is not included in the rent itself, but it is refundable upon the end of your contract. In addition, be prepared to make deposits on setting up electricity and water connections.
Making Payments
This is where your cheque book comes in. The landlord may ask for the full amount (a year’s worth of rent) in just one or two cheques. However, you can ask if they are willing to divide these into three or four payments — to be paid over the course of a year.
Once you have signed a lease and made the initial payment, you can now move in and enjoy your stay! If, for some reason you decide to cancel your lease, or if you are not planning to renew it for next year — don’t forget to give at least two months notice to your landlord.
As long as have your documents, and you are ready to put in time and effort — finding an apartment in Abu Dhabi is not too difficult. Meanwhile, if you are planning to move to Dubai instead, here are some tips for moving to Dubai in the emirate.
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