Rental increases have accounted for a large chunk of Dubai's inflation in the past three years. Lauren Lancaster /The National KEY WORDS: Real Estate Agent home homes rent rentals
Rental increases have accounted for a large chunk of Dubai's inflation in the past three years. Lauren Lancaster /The National KEY WORDS: Real Estate Agent home homes rent rentals
Rental increases have accounted for a large chunk of Dubai's inflation in the past three years. Lauren Lancaster /The National KEY WORDS: Real Estate Agent home homes rent rentals
Rental increases have accounted for a large chunk of Dubai's inflation in the past three years. Lauren Lancaster /The National KEY WORDS: Real Estate Agent home homes rent rentals

UAE Property: 'How does Dubai's new rental index differ from the old one?'


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Question: I read an article recently about the launch of a new smart rental index for the Dubai real estate market. Can you tell me what this is exactly and how does it differ from the old one? CT, Dubai

Answer: The Dubai Land Department has now introduced an updated version of what was previously known as the Rera rental calculator to the smart rental index. This came into effect on January 1, 2025.

There are several differences between the two but suffice to say the main difference is that the new index will use real time, live data through artificial intelligence to quote rental values. Decree 43 of 2013 will still be used to calculate any percentage increases to the rental amounts when the market is going up.

This amendment to the existing system will mean that the rental values are updated in real time and not just once a year as before because the system will rely on AI and countless other data points, thus increasing the accuracy and transparency of the new system.

The new system will use three main components to decide on future rental values. The first is taking into consideration old and new rental contract values through the Ejari system. The second is the rating of the building between one to five stars, and the third is the location of the property.

For the moment, only the buildings are rated, not individual apartments. For villas, it will be the actual property that is rated but this will be later down the line. Commercial properties are expected to form part of this new index later in the year, probably by the second quarter.

Q: I rent a three-bedroom apartment in Al Wasl and I have been living here with my parents since 2009. The building has a gym and swimming pool area but these have never been operational. The building is mostly used for commercial purposes and we are one of the few families living here.

My rent, which was Dh100,000 ($27,225) in 2020, dropped to Dh90,000 in 2021 after Covid-19, but since then has been steadily increased. In parallel, the maintenance has declined severely.

We had plans to move a few months ago, however, given the increases in rent, a medical situation in the family and difficulty finding an apt accommodation, we are hoping to continue another year. We were given a notice of rent increase (90 days beforehand) from Dh107,000 to Dh128,400.

The proposed increase is 20 per cent and is not as per Rera's terms at 15 per cent. The Rera website calculator shows there is no case to increase the rent for this unit.

When I checked with the management company, I was informed that the landlord/real estate company manager has done a building assessment with the Land Department and has a certificate which permits him to increase the rent to a certain value.

Is there any advice or guidance you can offer me on this situation or am I simply at the mercy of the landlord? I'm not keen to open a rental dispute. JG, Dubai

A: Since you wrote to me, the Land Department has introduced a new smart rental index, which is more accurate than the previous offering. There are a few things I’d like to point out, firstly as per decree 43 of 2013 the maximum a landlord can increase the rent in any given year is 20 per cent, not 15 per cent as you have alluded to.

Secondly, the new smart index takes into consideration the building’s rating which is a matrix used to determine the quality of the facilities and the building itself. This is graded from one star to five stars. I understand that you have not seen sight of the building’s grade certificate, but at this point, you have to have faith in the new index because it takes the building’s rating into consideration. So, my advice now would be to visit the new rental index, and to see what (if any) changes it will make.

The smart index uses old and new contracts data via the Ejari system as a benchmark and given that it is also driven by artificial intelligence, it is more accurate than the previous matrix. Whatever the index will now say you should stick to, especially if it still states no increase. If however, it suggests a higher rent, this is the amount all parties should agree upon.

I understand that you are not keen to file a case at the rental dispute centre but unfortunately, if you and the landlord cannot arrive at an agreement, this avenue is your only other recourse to find a conclusion. If you do decide to file, I believe you have a strong case based on several factors.

The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario@novviproperties.com

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

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Profile

Company name: Jaib

Started: January 2018

Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour

Based: Jordan

Sector: FinTech

Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018

Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups

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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?

Some facts about bees:

The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer

The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days

A queen bee lives for 3-5 years

This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony

About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive

Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.

Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen 

Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids

Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments

Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive,  protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts

Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain

Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities

The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes

Is beekeeping dangerous?

As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.

“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”

 

 

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Tuesday
Mairobr v Liverpool
Spartak Moscow v Sevilla
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Manchester City v Napoli
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RB Leipzig v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

Wednesday
Benfica v Manchester United
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Qarabag v Atletico Madrid
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Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder

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Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Exhchange traded funds are bought and sold like shares, but operate as index-tracking funds, passively following their chosen indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and the FTSE All World, plus a vast range of smaller exchanges and commodities, such as gold, silver, copper sugar, coffee and oil.

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Quick facts on cancer
  • Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases 
  •  About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime 
  • By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million 
  • 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries 
  • This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030 
  • At least one third of common cancers are preventable 
  • Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers 
  • Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
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How to become a Boglehead

Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.

•   Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.

•   Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.

•   Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.

•   Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.

•   Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.

•   Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.

•   Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.

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Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm

Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)

On sale: Now

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
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How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

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Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Updated: January 28, 2025, 12:08 PM`