Related: Six affordable areas close to Dubai Metro stations
The cost of renting a home in Dubai has fallen this year, meaning greater choice and more space for tenants.
A new report by property company Core said activity surged between July and September as rents fell.
Rents in Dubai's desert communities – including Jumeriah Village Circle, Dubai Sports City and Dubailand – were down by as much as 20 per cent from the previous year in some cases, it said.
While landlords may not agree with increasing tenant demands, most are now willing to negotiate lower rents and flexible terms upon renewal
That allowed some tenants to negotiate with landlords while others chose to move to bigger properties at little or no extra cost.
A glut of new properties has created a renter's market in Dubai. The coronavirus pandemic and the upheavals that followed put more pressure on prices, and families found they needed larger living areas and outdoor spaces for home working and school studies.
“Most of these upgraders are actually paying lower rents than before, with very few going above their previous rental,” the report said.
“While landlords may not completely agree with increasing tenant demands, most are now willing to negotiate lower rents and flexible lease terms upon renewal to retain tenants.”
Here are seven areas in Dubai where rents have become more competitive in 2020.
Sports City
Prices here fell by a fifth between July and September this year compared to the same period last year.
With a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartment flats on offer, there are plenty of options.
The nicest areas in Sport City offer leafy streets, and properties are typically in the brand new to 10-years-old bracket.
The latest data from www.propertyfinder.ae shows the average price for a one-bedroom flat in the area is about Dh35,000. A two-bedroom property would cost about Dh50,000 a year.
Located on Mohamed bin Zayed Road, the area has easy access to Hessa Street, which is connected to Sheikh Zayed Road and the heart of the city.
Dubailand
According to Core’s report, rents in this affordable district fell about 18 per cent in the past three months.
Greater Dubailand area includes residential communities such as Remraam, Mudon, Motor City and Al Barari, which offer a range of flats, semi-detached and terraced townhouses and detached villas.
Depending on the location, tenants can expect to pay an average of Dh29,000 a year for a one-bedroom property. That rises to Dh50,000 for a two-bedroom flat.
There are highly rated schools nearby, including Jebel Ali School, Dubai British School – Jumeirah Park and South View School.
The Greens and Views
This area is well-established and borders Barsha Heights, which boasts a number of hotels, restaurants and shops.
A mixture of low-rise residential buildings offer studio flats up to four-bed duplexes. The area is popular with pet owners, who appreciate its space and lush greenery.
In the third quarter of the year, rents in The Greens and The Views fell by about 15 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Today, a one-bedroom flat in The Greens and The Views respectively will cost on average Dh48,000 and Dh64,000.
For those in need of more space, rent for a large two-bed flat is about Dh80,000 and Dh96,000 a year respectively.
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Jumeirah Lakes Towers is located across from Dubai Marina and is a good place for people who crave the hustle and bustle of city life.
Rental prices in this popular neighbourhood are down this year. Core reported a 14 per cent decrease in rents in JLT across studio, one, two and three-bedroom flats between July and September compared to the year before.
Tenants can rent a spacious one-bedroom home for Dh50,000. For those with more to spend, a two-bedroom flat costs close to Dh70,000 to rent.
For families with children, there are a number of schools close by including Dubai British School – Jumeirah Park, Dubai International Academy and Regent International School.
Business Bay
This is a good alternative to Downtown Dubai, which is in reach.
Prices in Business Bay fell by about 14 per cent, meaning a one-bedroom flat will cost Dh60,000 to rent for a year.
If more space is required and the budget allows, renters can expect to pay about Dh85,000 a year for a two-bedroom home.
With sweeping views of Downtown Dubai, including the Burj Khalifa, this area is now an affordable spot for young professionals.
Minutes from Sheikh Zayed Road, it boasts the Dubai Water Canal Walk, hotels, and a choice of Metro stations.
Discovery Gardens
Located in the north-west of the city, Discovery Gardens has long been regarded as one of Dubai's most affordable areas.
Rents there were down by an average of 13 per cent between 2019 and 2020, according to Core.
Tenants will pay Dh36,000 a year for a spacious one-bedroom flat, and many studio flats cost less.
A two-bedroom property can be rented for Dh58,000 a year.
One of the biggest selling points is the soon-to-be-opened Expo 2020 Dubai metro line. The arrival of seven more stations means residents will be less reliant on taxis and buses and better connected to the rest of the city.
Dubai Marina
A favourite for young expats because of its bars and restaurants, Dubai Marina is often considered an expensive place to rent.
Now, with rents down by 12 per cent in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the autumn of last year, Dubai Marina has become a more affordable option.
A one-bedroom flat will, on average, cost Dh61,000 to rent for a year.
For those in need of more space, Dh90,000 a year will pay for a two-bedroom home.
The area is served by several Metro stations, shopping and entertainment at Marina Mall, access to nearby beaches, and is close to Media City, where thousands of professionals work.
The five pillars of Islam
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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
MATCH INFO
Borussia Dortmund 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')
Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
