Mario Volpi

Homefront: ‘Does buying a property in the UAE entitle me to a residence visa?’

There are property-linked visas available with a duration of three, five and 10 years

March 4, 2021

The industry norm for property management fees is 4 per cent to 6 per cent and the content of what is on offer will vary from company to company. Getty Images

Homefront: ‘Should I hire a company to manage my UAE property or do it myself remotely?’

Although self-managing a property is a cheap option for landlords, they will spend money and time to sort out maintenance problems in the long run

February 25, 2021

The landlord has threatened to impose a penalty worth two months of rent despite the tenant serving the notice to vacate a month before contract expiry. Photo: Getty Images

Homefront: ‘Do I have to pay a penalty for not renewing my lease despite giving a month's notice?’

Although the law has done away with the need to serve notice for non-renewal, tenancy contract clauses can be legally enforced

February 18, 2021

A tenant retains the right of renewal and can stay in the property for however long they choose to, unless the landlord gives them a 12 months’ written notice to leave. Photo: Getty Images

Homefront: ‘Can I renew my lease despite the property’s new owner planning to move in?’

The landlord must serve the tenant 12 months' written notice when the current contract ends

February 11, 2021

In the past, some developers have actually blocked tenants from accessing facilities within the building or community because of landlords who were or are in arrears against the service charges. Getty Images

Homefront: ‘How can I check if a property has service charge arrears?’

A prospective tenant can ask their agent to check the status of the owner’s service charge payments

February 4, 2021

A Dubai tenant wants to move out of the apartment he rented a month ago because it is too noisy and faces the road. Courtesy: Getty Images

Homefront: ‘My apartment is very noisy. Can I vacate it without paying a penalty?’

Dubai tenant must check rental contract for clauses on early termination of lease before deciding to leave

January 28, 2021

Broker fees in the UAE are in fact one of the lowest when compared with other parts of the world such as the US and some parts of Europe. Getty Images

Homefront: ‘How much commission does an agent charge for selling a property?’

The industry norm in the UAE is for the buyer to pay a 2 per cent fee plus VAT

January 21, 2021

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 26 DECEMBER 2020. Dubai skyline. (Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National) Reporter: Section:

Homefront: ‘What are the pros and cons of rent-to-own plans in the UAE?’

Such schemes allow tenants to use their rent to accumulate a deposit to buy property

January 14, 2021

The landlord has a duty to ensure that tenants are looked after and a legal obligation to pay towards the maintenance costs. Getty Images

Homefront: ‘Should my landlord pay for property maintenance?’

The rental contract will stipulate that a landlord is legally obliged to pay for property maintenance costs

January 7, 2021

The industry norm for residential leases is typically 5 per cent of the annual rental amount. However, commissions earned can be higher than this if all parties agree on it. Getty Images

Homefront: ‘What documents prove that a real estate broker is licensed by UAE regulators?’

Tenants must only deal with agents who are registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency

December 31, 2020

The UAE's economy is projected to recover to 2.5% in 2021, with non-oil GDP growing 3.6%, according to the central bank. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Homefront: ‘I have achieved break-even on my property. Do I sell now or hold on to it?’

The property value has dropped since it was bought, but rental income has boosted the Abu Dhabi resident's investment

December 24, 2020

The FDI Sharjah attracted in 2020 was channelled into businesses in the fields of e-commerce, health and medical research, and personal protective equipment. Photo: Reem Mohammed / The National

Homefront: ‘Can I buy property in Dubai if I am not a resident?’

Non-residents of the UAE can buy properties under the investment or retiree visa programmes

December 17, 2020

Real estate transactions in Abu Dhabi have been steadily rising this year despite the Covid-19 situation. There are many reasons for this, but mainly due to reduced property prices in the secondary market and softening of lending criteria for mortgages. Delores Johnson / The National

Homefront: ‘Where can expats buy freehold property in Abu Dhabi?’

In April 2019, the law was changed to allow foreign investors to buy freehold real estate in designated free zones in the capital

December 10, 2020

Tenants are often allowed to remove items of furniture from the property only after getting a no-objection certificate from the landlord. Getty Images

Homefront: ‘Should a tenant give 90 days' notice if they are not renewing a rental contract?’

An amendment to the law has taken away the need to serve notice, but it has to be adhered to if it is stipulated in the contract

December 3, 2020

Prospective buyers must check what projects have been completed by developers in the past, delivery timelines, whether there were any construction delays or any other issues. Victor Besa / The National

Homefront: ‘How do I know if a property project is safe to invest in?’

Prospective buyers must do due diligence to check a developer’s credentials, track record and escrow account details

November 26, 2020

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