Dear Ali: I recently moved from Montreal to Dubai and have been looking for an apartment to rent. Can you please explain why I have to pay a year's worth of rent at once instead of paying monthly installments, like in other cities outside the UAE? What is the logic behind this? I don't get paid a year's salary in advance, do I? NM, Dubai
Dear NM: Congratulations on moving to the UAE and I hope you are adjusting well.
You do have a valid question, although kindly bear in mind that during the Eighties and Nineties, most government-backed companies in the UAE recruited expats and covered their accommodation expenses. Therefore, they had a separate department that dealt with employee housing. This practice continued for years and landlords felt it was only appropriate to charge a yearly rent from their tenants, since it was taken care of by their employer. Nobody had an issue with this, therefore there were no laws against this practice.
A few years ago, however, when the real estate boom started, things changed: more private companies started up in the UAE and some didn't have the same policies as governmental companies do regarding staff accommodation. Depending on whom you work for, most companies will usually agree to loan you the annual rent amount, and then deduct it from your salary every month. If you are not planning on staying here for a year, there are plenty of options to rent furnished apartments for a few months. The property section of the daily newspaper is filled with advertisements for short-term apartment rentals.
Property laws are being reformed to improve the housing situation and fairness to tenants in this country. My best advice when it comes to anything related to renting a home is get to know your landlord. Form a positive relationship so that he or she sees you as a friend who is renting, rather than as a complete stranger. By the second year of tenancy, your landlord may accept annual rent divided over two or three cheques, or even let you pay month to month.
Dear Ali: I have recently graduated with a degree in event management and am interested in working in the travel industry in the UAE. I would really appreciate any advice you have on how to go about finding a job. EM, Dublin
Dear EM: The first thing to know about working in the UAE is that the recruiting market depends primarily on relationships, and without direct connections you might be hired only via recruiting agencies. So I recommend that you get in touch with as many people as possible from a variety of businesses and learn more about events that happen locally. Start by researching the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), the Dubai Convention Bureau, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Flash Entertainment. These are companies and organisations that always look for new talent from your field.
Of course the other good thing to do is to work with a very active and trusted headhunter that can recommend you to some of his or her contacts. So I suggest you make a few calls before sending your resume out. Even better, if you can, try to make a trip over here and check out the market for yourself. A face-to-face introduction is always the preferred way of getting a deal done successfully.
More advice, tips and cultural facts at Ask Ali.
Language lesson
Arabic: Chan zain
English: If only
This is a popular Emirati phrase used by adults and youngsters that indicates wishful thinking. It means "If only" or "I wish". So for example if someone asks whether you won a million dirhams, you could reply, "Chan zain".
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5