I’ve just arrived in the city and my company doesn’t provide me with accommodation. Could you let me know the best way to find an affordable house that isn’t too revolting?
Despite house prices falling from their ridiculously high peak of a few years ago, Abu Dhabi’s still a costly spot to rent property, especially if you want to find somewhere on the main island. And, until developments like Reem Island come online early next year, the shortage of quality properties looks likely to continue. If you’re not careful you could end up living in a grotty bedsit with no running water, that’ll set you back more than a luxury apartment in downtown Manhattan.
However, there are cheapish places out there; you’ll just need some determination to find them. To start with, we advise looking on websites such as Dubizzle.com. It’s probably best not to advertise yourself in the ‘rooms wanted’ section or you’ll be inundated with endless spam, as well as unnecessary hassle. Keep an eye on ‘rooms for rent’ if you’re looking for a flat share – it’s a good way to avoid the often steep agency fees since you’re usually renting directly from (sometimes even living with) the owner. And don’t appear too keen while you’re looking round, or you’ll lose some of your bargaining power when it comes to making an offer. Landlords expect to let a property for a few hundred less per month than is advertised (unless they state otherwise), so be firm and haggle.
The problem we’ve found with flat sharing is that, since there are rarely any contracts or written agreements, deals can fall through at late notice and leave you in trouble. When handing over any sort of deposit, be sure to insist on a written receipt direct from the landlord.
If you do rent from an agency, refuse to pay more than five per cent of the total yearly rent as an agency fee. This is the norm for Abu Dhabi and, if you’re paying any more, you’re being ripped off. Furthermore, the days when you had to pay a single cheque for a year upfront are coming to an end. Most agencies will accept two or three cheques with a bit of friendly persuasion, so stand firm.
If you don’t mind a bit of a commute, think about renting somewhere off the island. Prices in areas such as Khalifa City ‘A’, Bain Al Jessrain and Mohammed Bin Zayed City are between 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than places closer to the hub of the city. Just make sure you budget petrol or taxi costs into your living expenses – trips downtown will break you otherwise.
