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28 March 2024

Best options for those moving out of sharing accommodation

Published
By Parag Deulgaonkar

Now that the confusion on whether to provide tenancy contracts and utility bills across the UAE to get the residence visa renewed is over, families living in shared accommodation will have to look out to rent an apartment.

And if International City or Dubai Academic City, where rents for a studio apartment range between Dh17,500 and Dh19,000, it may still exceed the budget of those earning a minimum Dh4,000 per month salary, the only alternative is to move to the Northern Emirates. Moreover, if the family has one earning member (his spouse isn’t working), then those earning the minimum salary of Dh4,000 pm can find the best alternatives in Sharjah or Ajman, where a studio apartment is available for less than Dh850 a month (read: only rent). The apartment size could vary between 350 and 400 square feet.

Sharjah, however, allows three people to share a studio apartment, but there is no such limit yet applicable in Ajman.

A salaried individual in the UAE can sponsor his family provided he earns a minimum salary of Dh4,000 per month (pm) and has his own accommodation, or earns Dh3,000 pm with company accommodation.

KK Ashraf and his family share a three bedroom apartment in Karama, Dubai, with two other family. He says he currently is paying Dh1,700 per month in rent.

“We have been sharing the apartment with my friend’s family for the past three years. Previously, we were sharing a villa in Al Rashidiya. We were never asked for a rent contract. I am a bit confused about whether to move to Sharjah and save on rent, or pay more than 35 per cent of my salary for housing in Dubai.”

Usman Ali, who shares an apartment in Bur Dubai, says he moved to Dubai to avoid the peak hour traffic of Sharjah. He pays Dh2,000 per month for the shared accommodation.

“I know I can get a one-bed apartment in Sharjah. I moved here as I work close by. Our only hope to stay in Bur Dubai totally depends on the authorities as you don’t know they might reconsider their decision again,” he mentions.

On Tuesday, Major General Nassir Al Minhali, the Ministry’s assistant undersecretary for naturalization and residence, confirmed that expatriate applicants must produce a tenancy contract for the renewal of their visas

The new rule is intended to allow authorities to locate their residence as “addresses given in previous applications are not clear or accurate.”

He said those sharing accommodation must also present proof of their residence by submitting a tenancy contract or utility bill in their names.

“The decision is not targeting any party or property group but it will serve those departments seeking accurate data about foreigners’ residences…this measure is not exclusive for the UAE as it is enforced in all advanced countries.”

So if you are looking for a house, here are the best (cheapest) alternatives for families:

Sharjah

-Studio and one bed apartment in Rolla : Dh10,000 to Dh14,000 pa

-Studio apartment in Al Qulaya: Dh15,000 pa

-Studio apartment in Al Taawun area: Dh19,000 pa

-One bed unit in Al Mina Road: Dh17,000 pa

-Studio apartment on Al Wahda Road: Dh13,000 pa

-Studio, one bed units in Al Buteena: Dh13,000 to Dh17,000 pa

Ajman

-Studio, one bed units in Falcon Tower: Dh13,000 to Dh16,000 pa

-Studio apartments in Al Naemiyah: Dh10,000 pa

-Studio, one bed units in Horizon Tower: Dh12,000 to Dh15,000 pa

Dubai

-Studio apartments in Skycourts: Dh18000-22,000 pa

-Studio apartments in Deira: Dh20,000 pa

-Studio apartments in International City: Dh17,500 to Dh19,000 pa

-Studio apartments in Dubai Academic City: Dh18,000 pa

-Studio apartments in IMPZ: Dh17,000 pa

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