Housing & Real Estate
Renting, buying property, real estate market trends, and housing tips in the UAE.
Sharing a Flat in Dubai: Bed Space, Subletting and the 2026 Shared-Housing Rules
Dubai now licenses shared housing. Here is what sharing is legal, why most bed-space adverts are not, the fines under Law No. 4 of 2026, and how to protect your deposit.
Dubai Rental Repairs: Who Pays for What, and How to Make It Happen
Dubai law puts major repairs on the landlord and routine upkeep on the tenant. Here is how the AED 500 clause works, what counts as tenant damage, and how to escalate when nobody answers.
Abu Dhabi Rental Index: How to Check Rent by Area Before You Sign
Abu Dhabi publishes official lower, median and upper rents for every area and property type. Here is how to open the ADREC map, read it, and use it to pick an area and negotiate.
How to Cancel DEWA When Moving Out of Your Dubai Home
Closing your DEWA account is a five-minute online job if you time it right: submit the move-out request, settle the final bill, and the deposit refund and Ejari clearance follow on their own.
How to Cut Your DEWA Bill in a Dubai Summer
Dubai summer bills climb fast, but small changes make a real dent: set the AC to 24°C, clean filters monthly, use DEWA's Away Mode, and hunt down water leaks.
Can Your Dubai Landlord Evict You to Sell the Property?
Selling is a valid eviction ground in Dubai — but only with 12 months' written notice via notary or registered mail. A sale never cancels your existing lease.
RERA Rent Rules: When Your Landlord Can Raise Your Rent
Dubai landlords cannot raise rent freely. The RERA rental index caps increases on a slab system, from 0% to 20%, and 90 days written notice is mandatory. Check before you pay.
DEWA Setup: Connecting Power and Water in Your Dubai Home
DEWA activation is one of Dubai's easier admin tasks: apply online with your Ejari number, pay the deposit of around AED 2,000 for a flat, and power is on within a day.
Ejari: Why It Matters and How to Register Your Dubai Lease
Ejari is the mandatory registration of every Dubai tenancy contract. Without it you cannot connect DEWA, sponsor family or file a rental dispute. Here is how to register in minutes.
Living in Sharjah, Working in Dubai: The Real Trade-offs
Sharjah rents run 30 to 50% below Dubai for similar space, but the commute can cost you two hours a day. Here is the honest maths on money, time and lifestyle.
Buying Property in Dubai as an Expat: Freehold, Fees, Finance
Expats can fully own Dubai property in designated freehold zones, with no residency required. Here are the real costs, mortgage rules and steps from offer to title deed.
Getting Your Security Deposit Back in Dubai: Rules and Tactics
Dubai security deposits run 5% of annual rent unfurnished, 10% furnished, and getting them back is about evidence: move-in photos, receipts and a clean handover. Here is the playbook.