Marco78

Hi,
I'm a 30 years old male from Milan, Italy, moving to Abu Dhabi this August and I am looking for accomodation. Ideally, I would rent a 1 BD apartment with a price range of 80k - 100k AED per year (is it the correct price?), but I would also take in consideration to share a house.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Chris79

Hi Marco,
You would be lucky to find a place for that cheap (there are some around for that price but they aren't in the best locations and are very small).
One of my friends has just got a one bedroom apartment for 125AED.
You have to be VERY careful sharing over here - it is illegal! Make a search on here - there has been LOADS of questions asked about this topic before.

Good Luck

dme

can i ask why sharing is illegal? Surely sharing accommodation would help the shortage situation?

Marco78

Thanks for your answer Chris. I have to review my financial forecast!! I would plan 125k per year for housing (more expensive than in Milan... :curse

Dme: What will you do in AD? Are you looking for an accomodation? you are right: why sharing a house is illegal?? It's crazy. But... it's sharing illegal only in Abu Dhabi or everywhere in the UAE? There was a friend of mine in Dubai that was sharing a villa with friends untill february08, without any problems... but maybe in AD it's different...


Any suggestion on how to find accomodation in AD before arriving there? My company will pay 15 days in a hotel, but then it's up to me!!

Marco

Sam FTQ

There are a few properties advertised in Spinneys I noticed this evening, 1, 2 & 3 bed villas in Raha (landlord advertised). There were also a couple of smaller apartments. I know this doesn't really help you, but there are properties out there - it might just take a while to find something.

Please don't despair!

twinkle-star

U mean your friends did not get caught!...
Same rule in Dubai!

Marco78

come on.... any idea on how to find a house in Abu Dhabi?

Blue Cat

supermarket boards? Gulf News? driving round and round aimlessly until you see a for rent sign?

Marco78

eh blue cat I'm not in the UAE right now I'm still in Italy... I will arrive in AD this August and I'm trying to find a place to live before coming there... a vey difficult task!

Blue Cat

you won't be able to do that Marco, and you need a residence visa to be able to rent anyway so I would just wait til you get here.

Marco78

ah that's important to know! but... what if I call some real estate agencies and we find a verbal (or even written) agreement about a certain apartment to rent and then as soon as I come to AD we formalize it? this is how it should work in the civilized world... but maybe Ad isn't that civilezed

Chris79

You've just answered your own question! AD is totally different to anywhere else I have ever been!
Good Luck!

Eva

AD is very very civilized .Contract Law does not follow the Roman (as you may know it) model.
The only verbal/written agreement you will probably ever make with Real Estate Agencies usually pertains to commission.
You contract to lease with the Landlord(same same in Roman Law yes?)
Thereby lies the risk.If in bona fides you sign a contract to lease with projected entry date;there is no guarantee or safety net against Landlord rescinding Contract in favour of more attractive offer. Breach of Contract, restitutio in integrum blah blah -good theories- but the Landlord will always take the higher offer and get away with it -it seems.
As someone advised, you need to be in AD, ready to sign, complete including paying one cheque(most places now) and move in within 7 -10 days

Marco78

ok eva thanks a lot.
Since my company will pay the hotel for 15 days and then it will be up to me, do you think it's feasible to find an apartment within 2 weeks after arriving in AD?

weescot

Welcome to BE Marco.

To be honest, you will find it extremely tough getting anywhere inside 15 days, although you may be lucky. You will pretty much need to be totally focused on this task and your company should understand this. if you can, negotiate longer in the hotel if you can't find anywhere in this timeframe, and a higher rental allowance - even by a small amount. it will help as 125K will no longer be the market rate by August.

Most of us went through this - it isn't easy finding somewhere to live here in AD I'm afraid. But keep checking in to see if we can help.