Abu Dhabi Week’s property expert, Alan Kaye of Cluttons, answers your housing queries
I have recently arrived in Abu Dhabi and my family will be joining me shortly. We were intending to also bring over our family pets, namely a cat and a dog, but I have found that in a number of the properties I have viewed pets are not allowed. Do you have any suggestions?
The question about pets is one that frequently arises and there is a big cultural difference. Whilst most expats view a pet as part of the family, in the UAE this is simply not the case.
From a religious perspective dogs, in particular, are not allowed to be kept inside a property. Many landlords simply do not allow pets on this basis alone so unfortunately one simply has to do research as to where pets are allowed. Cats generally are much less of a problem.
I would suggest that you mention to your real estate broker that you have a pet at the beginning of your house search, as it will save wasted time.
Remember that you will need to obtain a pet passport from your home country and comply with all of the UAE regulations about bringing pets into the country in order to avoid quarantine.
Even more importantly, you will hopefully also make provisions to take your pet back with you when you return to your home country and not add to the number of abandoned animals left behind.
I am living in a large villa in Khalifa City that has been divided into four apartments. I have heard that this is illegal but do not know what I should do. Please can you advise?
The law is very clear on this in that permission is given by the municipality for the type of accommodation that can be built and the type of occupants that can live there. Unfortunately a number of landlords have simply divided large properties without obtaining permission and it is therefore deemed illegal.
This is the reason why one should always try and obtain a Tawtheeq, which would at the least give you some comfort. The type of landlord that has illegally divided his property will more than likely tell you it is fine and you do not need to worry, but in truth the municipality is cracking down quite hard on this kind of situation.
I would suggest that you make your own investigations and if it appears to be that your accommodation is not legal, look to move out at the earliest opportunity. You should also try to pay monthly when living in this type of accommodation so that if the worst happens you have at least mitigated your losses.
I am currently looking for a two-bedroom apartment in the city and looking at all of the different agents advertising in the property section of Abu Dhabi Week but I am confused. Do you have any suggestions to make my search easier?
Abu Dhabi Week is a great source of property information and whilst one would like to think that all agents operate to the same high standards as ourselves, the truth is that they do not.
I would suggest that you look at the adverts carefully and see which ones appeal to you. Then check the respective websites and you will generally find that a picture will emerge as to which company you will feel most comfortable with.
I would also suggest that once you have chosen an agent you stay with them, as they will always work harder for you if they know you are with them exclusively. They will also be able to build up a profile of you, the client, and hopefully show you properties that they feel are the right ones for you. At Cluttons, we are also able to assist in lots of other areas such as arranging connections to Etisalat and Abu Dhabi Distribution Company and giving general advice on living in Abu Dhabi and setting up your new home.
