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
Venezuelan Emiliana D'Andrea found her one-bedroom apartment in Dubai's Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) after spotting the building being constructed while she was out on a walk.
The 24-year-old, who works in real estate, shares her one-bedroom home with her fiance and says she cannot imagine living anywhere else in the city.
She pays Dh75,000 ($20,420) a year in rent, a deal she says was too good to turn down.
The National was invited on a tour of her home to see what makes it so special to her.
Why did you choose to live here?
When we first moved to the UAE in 2021, we lived in a studio apartment that was also in JVC. It was enough for us while we were starting out in Dubai.
One day, we were out walking and saw a building under construction. I liked the look of it and started making inquiries.
It's a low-rise building, which is a nice contrast to those in other parts of Dubai.
The building we were in had a few maintenance problems so we were happy to move in January last year. The lease was up anyway.
It's a gorgeous apartment that's modern and stylish. It's not huge but then there are only two of us. It's a very family-friendly building.
There is a fitness studio which is brand new and also there's a very pretty pool. There's a courtyard with some nice spaces for people to sit there and relax.
The building is still pretty new which means everything in it is as well. When you go to the gym here you still have that new smell off all the equipment.
Overall, the quality of the space is fantastic.
What do you get for your money?
I definitely feels it offers value for money. The community itself is quite centrally located and you are never really more than 20 minutes from anywhere in Dubai.
Dubai Hills Mall is only about eight minutes away. We go there almost every weekend.
It's a great community, especially for young couples starting out.
It's a community that is growing all the time and that's only going to continue.
JVC is a lot busier than it was even just a few years back.
How have you made your apartment feel like a home?
Being able to put our own stamp on it is one of the most exciting parts about living here.
When we arrived, our apartment was fully furnished, obviously, but when we moved we really had the opportunity to make it our own.
We tried and matched the colours with the furniture we bought, we had a colour scheme in mind. We love greys and neutral colours. That goes very well with the apartment.
Most recently, because we wanted to make the most of the winter, my in-laws helped us to lay out the balcony with lots of plants and artificial grass to make it feel more green.
Is there a sense of community?
My neighbours are really nice and I think that comes as part of living in a family-friendly building.
We always say “hi” to each other.
We know everyone who lives on our floor, which you don't often get in Dubai because everyone's busy going about their lives.
Is there anything you would change about where you live?
JVC is not really a walkable community. You do have the Circle Mall, but that's not within walking distance from where we live.
You have different mini-marts, pharmacies, there's McCafferty's and gyms … so many amenities, but they are scattered in a way that make them difficult to reach unless you are travelling by car.
Hopefully, when the new Metro line comes, it will help people to get about JVC without needing a car.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
