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Real estate in Dubai: a comprehensive guide
Dubai's real estate market spans a variety of neighbourhoods, ranging from ultra-luxurious enclaves to state-of-the-art apartments and condos, serving both buyers and renters equally.
Searching for property
Searching for the right property to rent or buy in Dubai is a breeze. Several online portals and real estate tools provide verified, up-to-date information on everything from studio apartments to townhouses and villas. Users can select advanced filters to navigate properties based on price, area and size preferences. It’s important to note that not all listings may be valid, so users should prioritise certified properties.Renting property in Dubai
Renting a property in Dubai – whether an apartment or a villa – is a hassle-free process. Rental prices vary based on multiple factors such as location, property type, quality, age of property, layout, views, market conditions and more. Generally, it is recommended to allocate no more than 30% of one’s income to rentals.
Average annual rental prices for accommodations ranging from one-bedroom apartments and bigger in some prime locations are as below (as of 2024):
- Dubai Marina: AED109,000 to AED1.4 million
- Dubai Hills Estate: AED101,000 to AED279,000
- Mirdif: AED45,000 to AED132,000
- Jumeirah Beach Residence: AED118,000 to AED899,000
- Al Barsha: AED64,000 to AED454,000
Further information can be found on the Dubai Rental Index, a government initiative under the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). The rental calculator available here is updated annually to ensure customers can access accurate rental price information.
Additional fees to consider
- Security deposit (between 5%-10% of annual rent)
- DEWA (Dubai Water and Electricity Authority) security deposit fees (AED2,000 for apartments; AED4,000 for villas)
- Dubai Municipality housing fees (5% of annual rent, paid in 12 parts)
- Ejari fees (around AED220)
- Chiller fees for air conditioning (consumption + demand + fuel charges)
Dubai tenants: frequently asked questions
Buying property in Dubai
Buying property in the city comes down to various factors, from deciding on desirable areas to managing the finer details of the purchase. Property ownership in Dubai comes in two forms: freehold and leasehold.
Freehold property means full ownership rights go to the buyer, while leasehold allows ownership for a set period – usually up to 99 years. Buying property in Dubai as a foreigner requires understanding that some areas will only have leasehold options, whereas other localities in Dubai only allow property sales to Emiratis (UAE Nationals) and citizens of other GCC countries.
Average property prices for accommodations ranging from studios to larger apartments and villas in some popular Dubai neighbourhoods are as below (as of 2024):
- Dubai South: AED378,000 to AED3.27 million
- Dubai Marina: AED949,000 to AED14.5 million
- Palm Jumeirah: AED1.4 million to AED110 million
- Jumeirah Golf Estates: AED996,000 to AED2.37 million
- Arabian Ranches: AED2.63 million to AED17.9 million
Additional fees to consider:
- DLD fees (4% of property value + AED430 for land, AED40 for off-plan, AED580 admin fee for apartments and offices)
- Property registration fee (based on property value)
- Fees for issuing title deed (AED250)
- Service charges (generally used to cover maintenance of common areas)
