Villa Rental w/o residency papers?

[melbatoast]

Hello again--
Thanks for your replies to my last inquiry, i have found a number of villas in the springs in our price range, that takes dogs, with no mandatory murals.

question for today--I'm using the web--dubizzle, propertyfinder-- to find listings. Are there any scams I should be aware of when using the web? I'm in the states (yes, a lousy Yank) trying to organize appointments for October 4 to see places--great! end of Ramadan holiday!-- so since I"m so removed, I just hope i'm not getting taken for a ride--

One agent has written
pls provide the security deposit as early as possible, after getting the deposit the villa is booked for you, we can start the contract on Oct 3 or 5, we dont want visa copy now, pls give to us the company letter stating that the visa is in process.

is that all legitimate?

[Maz25]

Normally, you will need your residency visa in order to rent an apartment or villa in Dubai. Estate agents are however aware that not all tenants will have this and are hence prepared to accept a letter from your employer confirming that they have applied for your visa.

In order to secure an apartment, you have to put down a deposit as well as pay the agency fees. Both are typically 5% of the rental value.

Are you sure it is a good idea to rent a property (am assuming that you are doing a one year rental) without first seeing it or visiting the area to make sure that you actually like it? Pictures can be misleading and a lot of time you get to the property to find that it is actually smaller than originally stated and there is a construction site outside your window! If you end up hating the apartment, you will be locked in the tenancy agreement for the full year! If you are looking to be in Dubai long term, it might be worthwhile staying in a hotel apartment for the first few weeks and then organising things once you are here.

[melbatoast]

Maz, you are so on top of it!!
yes, every point you raise is something we've taken into consideration. My husband and I are in agreement, no money changes hands without first inspecting the unit and contract.

I've poured over the floor plans emaar shows, and we're braced for "cozy" accomodations.

And thanks to the forum, I ask every agent with a springs listing "how close is the unit to the construction going on?" Word is the road building is to enhance entrances to the springs, not through the development. I hope that is correct--?? details, anybody?

my impression is that Dubai is not a renters market, or even a buyers market. Some news stories say that is changing and rules are coming into effect to tame speculators--and that there may even be a glut soon, with the changing economy. My husband is definitely more paranoid than I about whether we'll secure a place or not. He is booked into a hotel apartment upon arrival.

I am tending the home fires in the meanwhile, scanning listings, ready to send the dogs (that's a big production too) once he's secured a villa that works for us. he's been in Dubai several times over the last year, I visited for a few days in May. I have a loose sense of what we're getting in to--never a dull moment, right?
So you've seen no scams or stings to report? that's !

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by melbatoast

Maz, you are so on top of it!!
yes, every point you raise is something we've taken into consideration. My husband and I are in agreement, no money changes hands without first inspecting the unit and contract.

I've poured over the floor plans emaar shows, and we're braced for "cozy" accomodations.

And thanks to the forum, I ask every agent with a springs listing "how close is the unit to the construction going on?" Word is the road building is to enhance entrances to the springs, not through the development. I hope that is correct--?? details, anybody?

my impression is that Dubai is not a renters market, or even a buyers market. Some news stories say that is changing and rules are coming into effect to tame speculators--and that there may even be a glut soon, with the changing economy. My husband is definitely more paranoid than I about whether we'll secure a place or not. He is booked into a hotel apartment upon arrival.

I am tending the home fires in the meanwhile, scanning listings, ready to send the dogs (that's a big production too) once he's secured a villa that works for us. he's been in Dubai several times over the last year, I visited for a few days in May. I have a loose sense of what we're getting in to--never a dull moment, right?
So you've seen no scams or stings to report? that's !

The road changes in The Springs is to change a road that was two lanes each way to one that is likely to be four lanes each way. It will go right to the back garden walls of anyone backing onto Springs Drive. You may therefore like to make sure that anywhere you are looking at is away from the main road.

No scams? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but they happen all the time. You need to make sure that you are speaking to the real owner or a reputable agent before paying any money.

You will have to pay a deposit quickly to secure a place, as decent propertites still go quite quickly.

Good luck.

_

[Maz25]

Originally Posted by melbatoast

Maz, you are so on top of it!!
yes, every point you raise is something we've taken into consideration. My husband and I are in agreement, no money changes hands without first inspecting the unit and contract.

I've poured over the floor plans emaar shows, and we're braced for "cozy" accomodations.

And thanks to the forum, I ask every agent with a springs listing "how close is the unit to the construction going on?" Word is the road building is to enhance entrances to the springs, not through the development. I hope that is correct--?? details, anybody?

my impression is that Dubai is not a renters market, or even a buyers market. Some news stories say that is changing and rules are coming into effect to tame speculators--and that there may even be a glut soon, with the changing economy. My husband is definitely more paranoid than I about whether we'll secure a place or not. He is booked into a hotel apartment upon arrival.

I am tending the home fires in the meanwhile, scanning listings, ready to send the dogs (that's a big production too) once he's secured a villa that works for us. he's been in Dubai several times over the last year, I visited for a few days in May. I have a loose sense of what we're getting in to--never a dull moment, right?
So you've seen no scams or stings to report? that's !

You are quite right there! Dubai seems to cater for rich expatriates and this is driving up prices at the speed of lightning. 2 months before I moved here, my colleague secured a 2 bed apartment in JBR for 140k; when I arrived, the same apartment was going for 200k!!! A lot of apartments are actually empty but landlords are refusing to put down the rent so that they can drive the market and get a nice windfall later on!

You are right about inspecting an apartment before signing anything! I saw a 1500 sq. ft apartment which turned out to be a box - there was no way it was that big and eventually the agent admitted that he might have 'slightly exagerated' in his listing. I opened the balcony door and literally walked straight into a construction site. It was right outside the window!!!

The good news is that you have obviously done your research, so you should be fine. One thing I would advise is to make sure that the person renting the apartment actually owns it and if it is an agent, make sure that he has authorisation from the owner to do so. In the same way that agents can ask you for paperwork, you also have the same right to ask for the same!

Good luck!

[Kansaag]

I suggest that you ask the Agent is he is registered with RERA.

As from November 1, all Real Estate agents and developers needs to be registered. RERA is the Real Estate Regulator Authority in Dubai and is part of the Land Department, Dubai Government. You can visit their website on www.rpdubai.ae and check if the Company/agent/Developer is registered.

That way you will be sure you are dealing with reliable people.