New to the city? Confused by rental advice, or not had any at all? Or do you worry you’re not getting the best bang for your buck? Get the lowdown on the city’s property market and you’ll soon find a home from home.
Being homeless isn’t much fun. So whether you’re staying in a hotel or sleeping on a friend’s living room floor, chances are you’ll want to find your own place pronto. But where do you start?
Dubizzle (www.abudhabi.dubizzle.com) has short-term, long-term and flatshare rentals, but if you’d rather find a home through an agent, you need to find one you can trust.
Ben Crompton, a former lawyer and current managing partner at Crompton Partners Estate Agents, says, ‘Unlike in Dubai, there is no licensing body for Abu Dhabi agents. To find a reputable one, ask for recommendations and once you’ve found a good one, stick with them. Agents can show you any available villa or flat, which is unique to Abu Dhabi, so if you find a place online, ask your agent to show you it.’
Sheryl Varghese, 25, a graphic designer, knows what it’s like to deal with an unscrupulous landlord and agent. She tells us a few home truths about what can happen when you don’t know the law of the land.
Sheryl says, ‘I paid Dhs60,000 for a one-bed apartment on Al Reem Island. In October 2013, I emailed my landlord’s agent a month before my contract was due to end on November 4. Neither my landlord or landlord’s agent responded until November 7 2013 – two days before the rental cap was removed – then my landlord hiked up my rent by Dhs20,000. I gave in my notice and was asked to leave within a week, even though the contract I’d signed stated I was meant to be given a month’s notice. This didn’t seem fair.
‘When I told the agent he was being unreasonable, I was given two weeks to leave and we fixed a moving out date – November 21. Stressing out, I hurried to find a new home and found an apartment on Hamdan Street. I signed a contract starting November 21 and called my old landlord to inform him.
‘When he didn’t pick up or call back, I emailed the agent. He got in touch a week later asking for my gas and air con bills, which I supplied. I didn’t hear anything more from them until the weekend, when they asked me for a clearance certificate from Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC). But that takes three working days.
‘Time was ticking on so I contacted an Arabic lawyer. He said my contract was poorly drafted, as it stated I had to give two months’ notice in the form of a signed letter posted to the landlord’s home address – which was nowhere in the contract.
‘Once I had my gas, chiller and clearance certificate, I called my landlord. He said “Give me five minutes,” hung up, and never called back. I tried calling back and got no answer.
‘I was stuck in limbo. By then I had disconnected the gas, electricity and air con in my old apartment but the building management team said I couldn’t leave till my landlord provided them with a no objection letter proving I didn’t owe him anything. Meanwhile, I was paying rent on my new flat.
‘So, I went to the police with my Arabic lawyer, who explained the situation. The police advised me to pack up and leave and said that if the building management team prevented me it would be a case of harassment, and they would step in.
‘I finally moved out on November 27. A month later my former landlord, who had kept my deposit, asked for the keys. He also wanted an additional Dhs600 for the days I’d ‘over stayed,’ which I paid.’
Ben says, ‘You need a clearance letter from your landlord to prove you don’t owe any rent or bills. If your landlord refuses to give you this and you know you don’t owe anything, request a copy from ADDC.
‘If your landlord refuses to return your deposit when you feel it is due, lodge a formal complaint with the Rent Dispute Settlement Committee on Defence Street, near the Marriage Fund. Call 800 2353 to check what paperwork you need to take.
‘ADDC or your building management has no right to forbid you to leave the building – that’s false imprisonment. Sheryl did the right thing calling the police.’
If you’re now cowering with fear under your hotel duvet, come on out. Know your rights and understand the law and you’ll be home and dry before you know it.
View Where to live in Abu Dhabi
View 10 things you need to know about renting in Abu Dhabi
View 9 essential tips for finding a home in Abu Dhabi
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