Tenants across the UAE are affected by rising rents

Estate agents urge tenants to familiarise themselves with their legal rights.

Rent rises have not been restricted to the capital. Tenants and businesses across the UAE have also been affected.

Abu Dhabi resident Alex McDowell will shortly leave his one-bedroom flat in Al Raha, which 18 months ago he got “for a steal” at Dh70,000.

A similar flat is on the market for Dh110,000 but it faces the road, while his faces the sea. So Mr McDowell and his partner are “downsizing” to a studio.

Nancy Karimi, who runs Salama Afro Ladies Salon in Dubai, saw the rent on staff accommodation increase by 17 per cent.

“We are a business, so we will hike prices,” Ms Karimi said. “Consumers will feel the pinch.”

British expatriate and Dubai resident Chris Taylor said: “Having lived here now for 10 years, I plan to leave soon as possible. It has become unbearably expensive. The same money I pay for a room here could get me a two-bed flat to myself back home.”

If landlords “keep raising rents, it will discourage expats from staying or moving to Dubai. It is only tolerable until a certain point,” said Jonathan Taillefer.

Matteo Von Ghidoni, who lives in the city, said: “Dubai is a great place and the price will rise more, like in Hong Kong and Singapore. Dubai is luxury, not cheap.”

One tenant pointed out that increases in commercial rents meant “an increase in charges for product and services, which pushes up the cost of living. All this puts a strain on the individual as expenses are increasing but salaries are remaining the same.”

Fatima Suhail said she “moved to Sharjah more than two years ago due to the drastic increase in rental prices in Dubai”.

The exodus from Dubai to Sharjah pushed up prices and caused severe traffic congestion, Ms Suhail said.

“If the trend continues, we will have to leave Sharjah and relocate elsewhere.”

Some residents have moved as far as Ras Al Khaimah to avoid increases. Krystina Babets cut her rent bill by three-quarters when she made the move from Dubai, she told The National this month.

Estate agents urged tenants to familiarise themselves with their legal rights.

“Tenants don’t do proper research into what the law says,” said Junaid Ahmed, senior partner at Ideal Homes Realty.

“So when they get notices of increase, they don’t know what the law says. But they should know. They should ask agents, or consult Rera [Real Estate Regulatory Authority, in Dubai].”

One resident said: “Landlords seem to be trying it on with evictions and few people seem to know their rights.

“In several cases simply showing you know your rights is enough to get them to back down. So make sure you know the law before agreeing to move out.”

Andrea Menown, head of leasing at LLJ Properties, said: “If tenants genuinely feel that they are being asked to pay more than their neighbours, then they should initially speak to their landlord in friendly terms. He isn’t going to want his property to lie vacant”.