Play your cards right to find the ideal home that suits you

Whether you’re new to the emirate or are planning to fly the nest, it can be a daunting task finding and selecting a property in Abu Dhabi. And with recent reports that the capital is suffering a shortage of affordable housing, you might be feeling rather overwhelmed.

As Andrea Menown, head of leasing at LLJ Property, bluntly puts it: “Realistically, Abu Dhabi is still short of property and demand is always high so you don’t have much time to waste or you’ll end up empty handed.”

But where do you start? We speak with local real estate agents to find out how you can go about finding the perfect pad.

Money talks

Before scanning the pages of property listings, you should have a clear idea of your budget.

“Obviously, you have to work around that,” begins Andrea. “It’s also important to note that value for money is different here compared to your home country; knowing that you’re in a different place and that you’re going to invite a different cost. So put that into perspective from the start.”

You should also take into consideration additional costs like agency fees, the initial deposit and maintenance expense.

Location, location, location

The location of a property is one of the most important determining factors. Convenience plays a key role as this can save you considerable time and money.

Primary considerations might include proximity to schools, healthcare services, leisure venues and work place.

Property prices tend to increase based on accessibility to public facilities. This can be frustrating for house hunters hoping to find a good location without shelling out too much money.

Seeking an agent

Real estate agents come in handy, as they can help prospective tenants and buyers find a property based on their needs.

“The agent takes away all the headache so you basically pass all the problems and concerns to them,” says Andrea.

“A good agent will spend time talking to you on a personal level before working on your important criteria. Then they’ll select properties that best match your requirements. They also give you information on the areas and help with the contract, negotiation and everything up to the actual handover of the unit.”

Andrea suggests talking to at least three agents from reputable firms to broaden your options. The ‘more the merrier’ approach isn’t advisable as this can prolong the process resulting in lost opportunity in the end.

“A lot of people tend to use the services of many agents or just reply to an ad for one property, and they end up wasting a lot of time. There’s also the risk of working with unqualified agents.

“Dealing with the right agent from the start is essential. During negotiations be honest with what you want and be ready to negotiate; know which aspects of the deal you are prepared to compromise on.”

Andrea continues, “If you do go out and meet the agent make sure you have your checkbook with you. If you find your ideal property, you don’t want to miss it just because you don’t have access to funds.”

Seal the deal

Make sure to go through the contract thoroughly before signing.

Katie Burnell, residential sales and leasing manager at Cluttons, says, “Check all documentation such as title deed, landlord’s passport and residency visa, details as stipulated in the contract, and keep an eye on additional clauses. Is there a maintenance agreement in place? Who is responsible for major and minor repairs?”

Katie also advises that before moving in, tenants check if the contract is registered at Tawtheeq, a registration system designed to safeguard landlords’ and tenants’ rights, and if the building requires a move-in permit so you can arrange this in advance.

Utilities like electricity and water are the tenant’s responsibility. But the agent can help by directing the client to the appropriate agencies to get the job done.

You can apply for water and electricity connections at the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) in Al Dhafrah. Bring the lease document and clearance letter from your landlord with AED 1,000 deposit for processing.

If a third party is doing the errands for utilities make sure to get the receipts and documents so you’ll have proof of the transactions.

You’ll also need to consider getting property insurance to protect personal belongings against loss or damage, as Katie points out: “The landlord is only responsible for building insurance”.

Want to know if you’re dealing with the right property agent? Katie advises tenants to:

• Check the company trade license
• Ask to see the agent’s business and labour cards
• Check if the agency has a website and a physical office complete with contact details in the UAE
• See testimonials from previous customers
• Ask relocation agents for their list of approved agencies
• Browse social media forums including Expat Woman and Abu Dhabi Woman
• Seek feedback from colleagues and friends

Need to know

• LLJ Property 02 495 0500 lljproperty.com
• Cluttons UAE 02 441 1225 cluttons.com/ae
• ADDC 800 2332 addc.ae
• du 04 390 5555 du.ae