Average rents for villas and apartments in Abu Dhabi changed little during the summer, according to consultancy Landmark Advisory and real estate agency LLJ Property. Their research indicates that rents in Abu Dhabi “remained relatively stable” during the third quarter of 2009 and for the first part of Q409, experiencing only “marginal” declines.
Smaller units remain in short supply, and demand for those has kept their annual rent levels quite high – one – and two-bedroom apartments average out at AED 130,000 and AED 190,000 respectively on their figures.

Villa rental rates are also stabilising now after a few months of decline, seen especially off the island. Rents in Al Raha Gardens, for instance, have increased by four percent since early September.

Landmark is predicting apartment rents in older buildings in the capital are likely to fall towards the end of the year as more villas and ‘off-island’ living options become available: “Larger three- and four-bedroom apartments are likely to see a rent drop as more tenants will be attracted by off-island villa developments such as Al Raha Gardens or Al Reef Villas which offer more space, better quality, and affordable rent levels,” said Jesse Downs, Director of Research for Landmark Advisory. “Even if there is a shortage of smaller units, many tenants are simply unwilling to accept high rent for low quality.”

Landmark Advisory’s latest Abu Dhabi leasing map is available for download at www.landmark-advisory.com.