I rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi and am nearing the end of my first year. I know the rental situation is a little crazy and am worried about how much my landlord will put it up by. What systems are in place in Abu Dhabi to ensure my rent rise is within a sensible range?
JB, Abu Dhabi
Being a tenant in Abu Dhabi can be a daunting prospect as there are
presently no strict rules for rental increases
in the emirate. Where there is a case for a genuine increase, the norm is 5 per cent upon renewal.
It is not a foregone conclusion that rents only go up - certainly this appears to be the case in Dubai at present, but not in many areas in Abu Dhabi. The capital has mirrored the property ups and downs of Dubai and continues to do so, albeit 18 to 24 months behind its neighbour.
It is always advisable to have as good a relationship as possible with your landlord, you are, after all, effectively looking after his property by living in it. Landlords can sometimes make misjudged decisions about rental values, so the key to communication is the facts.
My advice to any tenant is to arm yourself with current property information. Do your homework and have a clear understanding of the market. If after all this the landlord still wishes to increase the rent to a level you do not agree with, then it is time to look elsewhere for your next home.
The Abu Dhabi property landscape is ever changing and more properties are coming onto the market so there is a greater choice for tenants whatever their priority - price, accommodation or location.
Right now, Abu Dhabi is by and large a tenants' market. Good deals are out there to be had.
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate should be your mantra. You will get your way - the only exception may be in Al Reef, where prices appear to be on the increase. This is mainly due to facilities, shops and communities being built up and offering a desirable lifestyle.
Yas Island is also expanding as more communities spring up and with them come malls, restaurants, facilities and hotels.
For cheaper rents, look to downtown Abu Dhabi island, where good deals are readily available. The only downside is that parking is limited.
Reem Island has plenty of inventory with many towers coming onto the market. This is likely to suppress rental prices in the short to medium terms at this location.
Mario Volpi is the managing director of Prestige Real Estate in Dubai and has worked in the property industry in London and Dubai for the past 29 years. Send any questions to mario@prestigedubai.co
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
