Are rents in Dubai falling? Statistics show otherwise

Contrary to popular belief, rents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are still edging up, and they increased modestly in September 2014 according to data released by Reidin.

This is in line with the results of an Emirates 24l7 poll published last week, where the website’s UAE readers claimed that their rents are on the rise.

Even as most recent reports published by research houses claim a slow deterioration in Dubai rental rates, statistics and public opinion seem to contradict those claims.

According to Reidin, rents in Dubai’s residential market increased by 0.8 points, from 103.7 to 104.5, representing an increase of 0.78 per cent in September 2014. On the other hand, rental prices increased 19.8 per cent year-on-year.

Apartment rental in Dubai increased 0.93 per cent month-on-month and 22.5 per cent year-on-year, Reidin said in its September update.

Villa rentals also registered an increase in September 2014, rising 0.02 per cent m-o-m and increased 7.9 per cent y-o-y.

According to an Emirates 24l7 poll, 21 per cent of the respondents said their rents declined by 10 to 20 per cent while eight per cent said rents fell by 5 to 10 per cent. However, 18 per cent of the respondents said rents remained stable.

“My rent has gone up by five per cent. I am fine with it and consider myself lucky as my landlord followed the regulations laid by the Dubai authorities,” Serena S, a reader said.

In Abu Dhabi too, apartment rental prices showed an increase on a m-o-m basis in September 2014. Prices increased 0.44 per cent m-o-m and 2.1 per cent y-o-y. Villa rental prices registered an increase in September 2014. Prices increased 2.39 per cent m-o-m and increased 9.6 per cent y-o-y.

In their latest reports, MPM Properties and Asteco had recently announced that rents fell in Dubai in the third quarter.

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