Apartments & flats for rent in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Apartments for rent options in Abu Dhabi

As with anywhere in the world, finding flats for rent in Abu Dhabi can be a daunting process. However, by breaking down your requirements and preferences, you can begin to prioritize your needs against your wants. You can begin by asking yourself a few questions to lead the search, such as – how many bedrooms do you and your family need? How close to the major highway or public transportation do you need to be? Do you need to live near a school or your place of work? Are you looking to live in Abu-Dhabi for a long-term or short-term? Do you prefer to live in a flat that is fully furnished, furnished with just the essentials, or unfurnished? Do you prefer an apartment that is ready to move into, or do you prefer your own fit-outs? To help you with the search for your next apartment in Abu Dhabi, we have some great insights for consideration. 

What is life like in Abu Dhabi?

Located just over 130 km from Dubai, Abu Dhabi is the capital and the largest of the UAE’s seven emirates. The majority of the population is expatriate, and over the last ten years, there has been an increased focus on developing tourism, education, financial and cultural sectors to diversify the economy. The expat community in Abu Dhabi is welcoming and poses great options for bachelors and families alike. Residents can spend the weekends by beautiful sandy beaches, luxury resorts for short staycations, or shopping in some of the best malls in the country. The city is home to some breathtaking cultural landmarks, such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros Abu Dhabi also make for fantastic family entertainment. 

The emirate also has a set of attractions expected to open over the next year. For aquamarine lovers, Abu Dhabi will be introducing The National Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Middle East, housing 33,000 marine animals. One of the biggest projects will be the AED 12 billion project – Yas Bay. Featuring an indoor arena and flexible capacity for between 5,000 and 18,000 people, the project is expected to be great for residents and tourists alike. Snow Abu Dhabi, located in Reem Island is also expected to launch in 2020. At four times the size of Ski Dubai, this will be the world’s largest snow park. 

What are the best areas to rent a flat?

Apartments in Abu Dhabi have become more affordable over the last year, mainly because a lot of the units that were still under construction have now been handed over. In 2020, the city aims to better balance supply and demand, leading to more stable prices. There are some great areas cheap apartments for rent in Abu Dhabi, including Al Mushrif, Al Khalidiya, Al Reem and Al Karamah. 

Al Mushrif is ideally located for families, with great schools and shopping malls in the area. Positioned in the city center, the society is affordable, has a quiet residential feel, and access to nearby attractions like Mushrif Mall, Mushrif Palace, and Umm Al Emarat Park. Al Khalidiya is another prime location with great schools, parks, and amazing sea views. The area is home to some fantastic flats for rent in Abu Dhabi. Al Reem is a beautiful waterfront development, with luxury apartments for families looking for a modern lifestyle. With easy access to schools, retail shops, restaurants, and Al Wahda mall right around the corner, Al Karamah is centrally located, with some of the best-priced apartments.   

What is the process of renting in Abu Dhabi?

Once you have decided the right area for you, you need to decide how big or small an apartment you need. From studio apartments to penthouses, Abu Dhabi hosts a wide range of rental properties, so the next best step is to shortlist depending on your requirements and budget. Once you have found the right flat, you will need to sign an agreement with the landlord. Usually, this done through an agent, however, in some cases, you can seal the deal directly with the homeowner. 

While most rental contracts are signed on an annual basis, there are short-term rental options available. Sometimes, investors put their holiday apartments up for rent in Abu Dhabi. This makes for a great option for those who may not want to commit to a long-term contract. However, it is worth confirming this with the agent or homeowner at the time of the viewing. 

On signing the contract, you can agree with the agent or homeowner to hand over the security deposit and rent in an agreed number of cheques for the total rental amount. More often than not, the fewer cheques guarantee the best prices. Having said that, there is often some negotiating power to get the price you want with an easy payment plan that suits your budget – this can be two, four or even 12 cheques. 
 
What’s the difference between fully furnished and partly furnished?

While sifting through verified apartment listings, you will often come across furnished apartments for rent in Abu Dhabi. While the most affordable apartments for rent in Abu Dhabi are quite often the unfurnished ones, the fully and partly furnished ones can offer some hefty benefits. A fully furnished apartment is one where all furniture and kitchen appliances are included. Naturally, these apartments are slightly more expensive since the costs of the furnishings are factored into the total rental amount. 

This option may give you the most bang for your buck if you are only planning on staying in Dubai for the short-term. This way, you wouldn’t need to buy your own furniture or kitchen appliances when you move in or worry about eventually selling it on when you relocate. A partly furnished apartment would likely include basic kitchen appliances, such as an oven, cooker, washing machine, and fridge. Sometimes, these may even include living room furniture. 

To get your security deposit back, you just need to ensure that when your contract is up, all of the furniture that was in the apartment when you moved in is still there, and in the same condition that you found it in. 

What is a rent to own option?

A ‘rent to own’ option is generally for those who intend on staying in the UAE for the long-term and want to join the property ladder without breaking the bank. In this option, you can pay a fixed amount as ‘rent’ each month, which essentially goes towards owning your own home. This option is becoming increasingly popular. Instead of paying the rental amount to the landlord each month, you could pay the developer over a defined timeframe to eventually own your own home. While there is usually an upfront down payment required, it is still a relatively affordable option when compared to getting a mortgage. A typical mortgage requires a down payment of at least 30% of the value to cover down payment, transfer and agent fees. The ‘rent-to-own’ option makes becoming a homeowner a reality for many people in Abu Dhabi.