My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader's home to have a look at what they get for their money, how much they pay in rent and asks them what they like and don't like
Sarah Sabbah, 24, said she pays Dh47,000 for a studio apartment that offers great views of Dubai Marina.
She said living in the marina offers her everything she could need within minutes.
Ms Sabbah, from Lebanon, works in the media sector and pays her annual rent with six cheques.
She invited The National into her apartment to show us how she has made it into a home and said has no intention of leaving any time soon.
Why did you choose to live here and not somewhere else?
I love going to the beach in JBR and it’s just a few minutes away from where I live. If I travel on my e-scooter I can be there in five minutes.
I work in Internet City, which is only a few minutes away as well, so that’s another plus for me.
It is an area that is very sports orientated and there are a lot of activities I take part in.
The community is quite young and vibrant too, which I love. There’s a great buzz surrounding the place.
I love the view I have of the marina because I’m facing the water and it’s relaxing to watch the boats in the harbour.
The building has a pool and a gym that is just amazing and there are saunas here too.
There’s also an area that acts as a rooftop garden, even though it’s midway up in the building, rather than at the top.
You can host parties there or even just relax and read a book.
Marina Walk is fantastic too, especially if you want to go for a run. There are plenty of restaurants and everything I could need is only a few minutes away.
If I need to go to a restaurant or salon, all I have to do is hop on my e-scooter.
Are you happy with what you are paying in rent?
I think it’s quite good for where I live, to be honest. I have been here for two and a half years and was paying Dh43,000 last year, but it went up a little bit this year.
Everyone keeps telling me I could get a bigger place for the same money if I moved farther out, but why would I?
It’s just convenient for me to stay here as I have the lifestyle I want and I wouldn’t be able to get that elsewhere.
What touches have you made to your apartment to make it feel more like your home?
Everyone says it’s just like I have been spat out into the apartment because there’s so much of me in it.
I have lots of pictures of friends and family. That way I am surrounded by people I love.
I am a very spiritual person and that’s portrayed in the apartment. There are a lot of vibrant colours because I don’t want it to feel dull.
There are also paintings in bright colours that I drew.
Is there anything you would change about your home if you could?
It can be a bit noisy because it’s so busy outside, which can be frustrating if I’m trying to sit on the balcony to read and relax.
I am about to contradict myself though because having said that, I do like to be in the energy and chaos when I go outside of the apartment.
Living in Dubai - in pictures
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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3 Chelsea 25 14 8 3 49 18 50
4 Man Utd 26 13 7 6 44 34 46
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5 West Ham 26 12 6 8 45 34 42
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IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
Zayed Sustainability Prize
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
