Rental red-flags

Whether you’re an experienced renter or a first-time tenant, finding that perfect place can be a daunting experience.  Dodgy landlords, dubious maintenance and nightmare neighbours can all turn a dream home into a living hell.   Here are some things to watch out for when renting property in the UAE

The neighbourhood

You’ve probably done some research on the different places you may want to live in, but nothing can beat taking a look at the surrounding community and communal areas.  The following points are useful markers:

·         What kind of condition are the service roads and parking lot in?  Is it all properly finished and in good condition or are common areas still a work in progress (also known as 'a building site').

·         What do neighbouring properties look like?  Is there rubbish outside apartment doors, bad smells emanating from the floor below, children playing in the lifts?

·         Talk to current tenants and potential neighbours & check out the chat on messageboards like expatwoman.com.  If everyone in a community is up in arms about a specific issue then talk to people, online or in person, and get to the root of the problem to find out whether or not it’s a deal-breaker for you.

Parking

You may or may not have a vehicle, but if you don’t it doesn’t mean that parking issues won’t concern you.  If there isn’t adequate parking for the number of properties then you may find access to your own property being blocked.  There are a few tell-tale signs that indicate possible parking problems:

·         Are there well defined parking spaces?

·         Can you see cars double-parked or any cars not using designated spaces?

·         Do there appear to be a lot more cars than you would expect?  This could indicate that the parking area may get used by non-residents for nearby amenities.

Internal details

It can be so easy to go into a property and only see the bigger picture.  It may seem perfect – good size rooms, light and airy, but don’t forget to pay attention to the little details.  Paying a bit of extra attention can give you a good indication of how well the property really is maintained and whether you’re likely to having some recurring problems.  Some things to look out for include:

·         Do all of the electrical sockets in look in good condition, e.g. no cracks or bare wiring?

·         Are the locks and other security features all in working order?

·         Do there appear to be any suspicious stains on the walls or ceilings?

·         If it’s a brand new property what is the general finishing like?  Poorly finished properties could well have a host of issues that you can’t see.

Contracts

No matter how much you love that apartment or villa make sure that you view the contract before making any final decisions and certainly before parting with any money.  Renting in the UAE requires a large sum of money upfront from the tenant so make sure that everything is legally in order.  

·         Is the landlord or agent happy for you to see a contract and take it away to review it?

·         Is the contract specific about what is included, such as utilities and maintenance fees?

·         Does it adhere to the laws relating to the Rental Increase Cap and notice periods for tenants?

The best way to avoid any potential renting upsets is to be prepared, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Any reputable agency or landlord will be happy to give you the information you need.  You should also trust your instinct, usually if something doesn’t feel right then it isn’t.