My Abu Dhabi Rent takes you inside a reader's home to have a look at what they pay each month, see who they live with and ask what they like and don't like
It was a combination of sheer luck and the decision to take a run by the beach that led to beautician Lama Al Fahim finding her dream home.
Ms Al Fahim, 33, who owns her own beauty clinic, had been living in the Al Bandar area for 10 years before discovering the property she ended up renting – a five-bedroom villa at Al Raha Beach in Abu Dhabi's Khalifa City.
The Moroccan mother-of-two pays Dh300,000 to live in a villa that she describes as offering perfect views of the beach, as well as being conveniently close to her business.
She invited The National in for a tour of her home to see why it means so much to her and her family.
How did you find your home?
I was going for a run by the beach, and I saw a sign that said the villa was for rent.
I run along this path almost every day and always thought it would be wonderful to be living in a villa overlooking the beach, so when I saw the sign, I thought I would ask the security guard if the villa was available and how much it was going for.
It turned out the villa was not only available, it was also affordable. It all went really fast from there.
Tell us about your home?
We moved here around two years ago. It is a four-bedroom villa, including a maid's room, with a stunning view of the beach and beach access that we pay Dh300,000 for.
What is it about your home that you love the most?
Honestly, everything, but most of all is the beach.
I love the view in the morning. when I wake up and sit on my couch to have my morning coffee.
It is also very close to my clinic in Khalifa City.
What do you like most about the neighbourhood you live in?
I like there are only six villas in the community, and everyone keeps to themselves.
My kids, Saif, 3, and Mahra, 9, love the private beach and are out playing on the beach whenever they get the opportunity.
Are there any disadvantages to where you live?
Nothing at all.
Would you ever consider moving elsewhere?
Never. Not unless my family gets bigger and we need more space, but I don’t think we will move anytime soon.
How have you managed to make to put a personal touch on your home?
As soon as I moved, I hired an interior decorator who has also become a friend of mine, and together we chose everything.
I thought this was such a beautiful place that I wanted someone’s help in deciding where to place the couches, the tables and the rugs.
Does living here offer value for money?
It is a villa on the beach with private beach access that we are paying Dh300,000 a year for. I've heard that the price now is worth at least Dh370,000.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
MO
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
