Apartment Search

[jimbobslats]

I guys, I am due in Dubai on 23rd July to start my new job, my new company will put me up whilst I search for a place of my own to rent....

My question is, what is the best way to find a new place, whilst I was in Dubai I went to many different buildings reception and asked if they had any free apartments and they then gave me the numbers of the owners, is this a good way of doing things or should I stick to agents?

[Razi]

Originally Posted by jimbobslats

I guys, I am due in Dubai on 23rd July to start my new job, my new company will put me up whilst I search for a place of my own to rent....

My question is, what is the best way to find a new place, whilst I was in Dubai I went to many different buildings reception and asked if they had any free apartments and they then gave me the numbers of the owners, is this a good way of doing things or should I stick to agents?

have been in a similar situation and have suffered (a bit) because of no guidance... so would love to help you out in not making those mistakes that I did...

So tell me where your workplace is going to be? Is it Sheikh Zayed then which building? what would be your budget? maybe I will hand you over some contacts who can help you out...

[Pete C]

What area do you want live in? Agents will just open the apartment door and if you like it you pay them 5% fee, try go direct if you can in my opinion. To this day not 1 of the 100 agents ive called ever bothered to follow any viewing up.

[michaelrandall78]

It's a perfectly legitimate way to rent your apartment privately. There is a good classifieds website Property Real Estate for Sale and Rent. Jobs in the Middle East and North Africa , Free Classifieds in with Dubizzle.com where you can view private owner listings and conveniently search them, which is much more efficient than searching on foot. Newspapers like Gulf News have the classifieds section too, which gets updated almost every day, so I would strongly recommend you to get a copy.
Renting through an agent is definitely easier. It saves you all these efforts you have to spend on searching, typing the contract, and it is safer, since they run a few simple checks on the owners and can help in mediating conflicts between you and the landlord. I would say that if you are ready to pay their commission fees, and it would not substantially damage your wallet, then renting through an agency is the best way to go about it, but renting privately is also a viable option, so caveat emptor!

[jimbobslats]

Originally Posted by Razi

have been in a similar situation and have suffered (a bit) because of no guidance... so would love to help you out in not making those mistakes that I did...

So tell me where your workplace is going to be? Is it Sheikh Zayed then which building? what would be your budget? maybe I will hand you over some contacts who can help you out...

I will be working at EMAL Emirates Aluminium, my budget will be around 3500 aed per month, I'm only looking for a studio, I have seen plenty on the net on Dubizzle in the Marina or JLT just wanted the best way of renting.

I would have thought negotiation would be easier direct with the owner too?

[Jynxgirl]

The issue is being new and not knowing some of the nice tacticts you may run into. It is probly better to go through an agent the first time around.