A former teacher who quit her job to set up her own business said she wants to change the room rental landscape in Dubai.
After teaching in a primary school for five years, Danielle Hall, from the UK, set up iiabud_dubaii, a small-scale co-living rental service.
As an experienced landlord in the UK, she wanted to offer something where people, particularly single women new to Dubai, felt safe and able to forge new friendships.
“I’m just finishing up my last week as a teacher and I’m on my knees health wise. The workload is huge,” she said.
They are all three-bedroom apartments and each room within a property is en suite, which is a big bonus for renters knowing they don't have to share bathroom facilities
Danielle Hall,
iiabud_dubaii
“I noticed that many young professionals struggle to find legal, clean and quality rooms to rent or apartment shares in Dubai, so that’s where the business idea came from.
“I started off with three rooms in one apartment and now I have 21 rooms spread across seven apartments, so it has really taken off.
“I decided to hang up my teaching boots to focus my efforts full-time on iiabud_dubaii.”
After securing a business licence for holiday home rentals, Ms Hall, with her business partner Lisa Thomas, rent apartments under their company name on annual contracts.
The business pair source the apartments direct from a well-known developer in Dubai and provides accommodation to people who want to co-share with like-minded people and pay their rent and bills in one monthly payment.
The licence allows three people, who are unrelated, to live together under one roof and, per the agreement with the developer, apartments are let out only to same-sex occupants.
All seven properties are fully furnished and located in Downtown Dubai, close to public transport.
“The buildings are secure, have modern amenities including a pool and gym and are located within walking distance from a metro station,” she said.
“They are all three-bedroom apartments and each room within a property is en suite, which is a big bonus for renters knowing they don't have to share bathroom facilities.
“There will never be more than three people living in one apartment, so our renters know there is no risk of overcrowding.”
At current rates, standard rooms cost Dh4,000 a month and master suites are priced at Dh4,400. Room rates are reviewed every three months.
Tenants are encouraged to sign a lease for at least three months and they pay their rent monthly, up front.
“I’ve heard so many people having terrible landlord-tenant experiences, so I want to eliminate that headache for people,” she said.
“I’m a normal person starting out my business, so I have great interaction with my tenants because they are the very people that can advise me on what works and what doesn't.
“They don’t have to worry about sorting out things like setting up an Ejari or paying big security deposits for things like Dewa and air conditioning.”
Ms Hall said at the moment about 50 per cent of her residents are new to Dubai.
“It’s a big support for people who have just moved here because most landlords ask for Emirates ID, but many people don’t have it in the early stages,” she said.
“I ask for a copy of their passport and a copy of a job offer letter if relevant, although that is not essential.
“And just to cover any risk of damage tenants are asked to pay a one month’s rent deposit.
"I really want to change the room rental landscape in Dubai and offer a personal service that works for young professionals looking to make friends and love a comfortable home life here."
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
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Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Specs
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Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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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
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Jetour T1 specs
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SPECS
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
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- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
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