The advertised annual rent is only one part of the money needed to move in. Your first rent payment, deposits, registration and service setup can fall due before your first local salary. Build a dated payment list before committing to a property.
Start with a written cost breakdown
Ask the landlord or agent to itemise the annual rent, instalment dates, security deposit, agency commission including any applicable tax, registration charges and any building or move-in fees. Treat quoted percentages as terms to verify, rather than universal rules. Keep the offer and payment instructions with the draft contract.
- First rent instalment: use the actual amount and due date in the proposed contract.
- Landlord deposit: confirm the amount, holder, permitted deductions and refund process. Record the property’s condition and inventory at handover.
- Agency charges: request the full amount and what service it covers. Confirm the broker’s registration through official Dubai Land Department channels.
- Ejari: check the current registration process, documents and fees for your chosen channel on Dubai Land Department’s official service page.
DEWA, cooling and recurring bills
DEWA’s published move-in service lists a refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 for apartments and AED 4,000 for villas, plus AED 155 in supply activation fees. Check the service conditions and the final amount applicable to your connection before paying. Source: DEWA move-in service, checked 20 October 2026.
A refundable deposit still ties up cash. Keep it separate from non-refundable fees in your budget, and follow the provider’s closure and settlement process when you leave.
Ask who supplies cooling and whether the tenant pays any deposit, fixed charge or usage charge separately. If a listing says “chiller free”, request written confirmation of what is included. Also ask which municipality or housing charges appear on utility bills and obtain the applicable calculation. A previous occupant’s bill can help you understand the line items, but it is not a guaranteed forecast for your household.
A worked example: arrival cash, not a market quote
The following figures are hypothetical planning inputs. They are not current market prices, standard commission rates or an estimate for a particular property. Replace every line with your own written quote.
| Item | Example amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| First rent instalment: 80,000 annual rent split into four equal payments | 20,000 |
| Landlord security deposit (assumed quote) | 4,000 |
| Agency charge (assumed total quote) | 4,200 |
| Tenancy registration (placeholder allowance) | 250 |
| DEWA apartment deposit and activation, using the published figures above | 2,155 |
| Subtotal for these example items | 30,605 |
This subtotal excludes temporary accommodation, moving services, furniture, cooling setup, internet, later utility bills and an emergency buffer. It also excludes the remaining AED 60,000 of rent due later in the example year. If the same AED 80,000 rent were due in one payment, this example’s initial subtotal would become AED 90,605. The payment schedule changes the cash needed immediately even when annual rent is unchanged.
Copy your actual figures into the free moving calculator and Excel worksheet. A monthly equivalent is useful for comparing affordability; it does not replace the real due dates.
Agree how payments will work
Confirm the accepted payment method, number of instalments and due dates before relying on a particular arrangement. Do not assume that every landlord accepts monthly payments or that one instalment always gets the lowest rent. If cheques are required, ask your bank about eligibility and availability early; see our bank-account planning guide.
Check payment instructions independently before sending a large sum. For money arriving from Europe, compare exchange rates, fees, recipient amounts and transfer timing using our transfer-planning guide. Keep a buffer for delays instead of scheduling the transfer at the last possible moment.
Questions to resolve before signing
- Have you verified the property, agent and the authority of the person offering the tenancy?
- Does the contract match the promised rent, payment schedule, included services and maintenance responsibilities?
- Who handles tenancy registration, utility activation and any building move-in permission?
- What are the deposit return conditions and the process for reporting defects?
- What happens at renewal or if you need to leave early? Read the actual terms and obtain clarification before committing.
- Does the home work for your commute and daily routine, and have you allowed for shipping or essential purchases?
Updated 20 October 2026. The DEWA figures above are sourced from its published service page. Other example figures are assumptions, not official tariffs. Requirements, charges and individual contracts can differ; check current official information and your written offer before payment.