Question: Why do landlords still insist on one or two-cheque rental payments when I’m paid monthly? Isn’t this unfair to tenants? DH, Abu Dhabi
Answer: This is a frequent concern and it's obvious why tenants feel it’s unfair. The reason lies in the structure and risk profile of Dubai’s rental market. Many landlords prefer fewer cheques (one, two or maybe four) because it reduces administrative burden and gives them greater security in a market where tenants often leave the country or jobs can change.
I've heard tenants comment on many occasions that they have been mystified about the large sums of money they have spent upfront on rent. Here are some key points and what tenants should know.
From a legal position, there’s no law that mandates the number of post-dated cheques a landlord must accept. The practice is market-driven.
The reason this one-cheque payment persists is down to the fact that landlords face risks. Non-payment of rent through bounced cheques can lead to travel bans, building management issues and vacancy losses for tenants. I would advise you to do the following in order to get yourself a better deal.
Propose four cheques instead of one but be prepared to show stable employment or rental history. Offer a slightly higher rent or security deposit in exchange for more cheques or monthly payments. Use the fact that newer platforms exist (apps allowing monthly payments) as part of your discussion, showing you’re aware of alternative solutions.
However, I would be wary if a landlord demands one cheque unnecessarily or uses it to lock you in unreasonably. You should always question the fairness of the deal, especially if you’re renewing and now have some rental history or if the market has softened.
Paying one cheque upfront is still routine in many parts of the UAE, but that doesn’t mean you’re without negotiating power. Approach it as a negotiable term, not a fixed rule. If you’re confident in your stability, you may be able to secure more cheques, improving flexibility for you while still satisfying the landlord’s concerns.
Q: I keep hearing about huge service charge or maintenance fees in some towers, while rents keep rising. Are landlords to blame for high rents or is it these service charges forcing the issue? CK, Dubai
A: This debate shows up consistently on online forums, especially on platforms such as Reddit. I saw one post recently saying that a 1,100 square feet two-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina demands as much as Dh22,000 ($5,990) a year in service charges, which equates to roughly Dh1,800 per month.
The reality is that owners and landlords are paying service charges approved by the building’s owners association as per the Dubai Land Department or Real Estate Regulatory Agency regulations.
If service charges climb, landlords often pass those costs (or at least a portion) to tenants through rent increases or possible reductions in incentives. This is important to understand because in some buildings with large-scale amenities (pools, gyms, valet, 24/7 security, luxury finishes, etc.) service charges can become a significant cost to the landlord, thus reducing net yield for them.
What can you do to mitigate this scenario? Check the service charge schedule before signing any rental contract. If charges jumped 30 per cent to 40 per cent last year, ask for justification. Always compare similar buildings because two adjacent towers with equal rents could differ in their service charges, so try to understand why.
Use the renewal time to renegotiate. If the building maintenance or amenities have declined (poor cleaning, broken pool or withdrawn facilities, etc.), you have stronger grounds for a smaller rent increase.
My advice to you would be that landlords are not the sole drivers of high rents; operational costs and service charges also play a major role. Tenants who understand this dynamic can negotiate more effectively or choose buildings where service cost-rent balance is healthier.
Mario Volpi is senior vice president of investment advisory at Allegiance Real Estate. He has worked in the property sector for more than 40 years in London and Dubai. The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario@allegiance.ae
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)
Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)
The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
