Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment (Dubai & UAE)
A structured checklist of every question a renter should ask the agent, landlord, and building during an apartment tour in Dubai — covering rent structure, Ejari, DEWA and chiller setup, service charges, maintenance responsibility, building rules, and the red flags that most tenants only discover after signing.
Rent, deposit and payment questions: Confirm annual rent, cheque or transfer schedule, deposit amount, deductions and refund process, commission and any applicable VAT. Payment schedules and deposits are contractual terms; neither a fixed deposit percentage nor a single-cheque discount is guaranteed.
Landlord and agent authority: Ask for ownership and identity documents and the representative’s authority. Check broker credentials and applicable permit records independently. A mismatch is a reason to stop and clarify; no single check eliminates every scam.
Utilities and building access: Ask which electricity, water, cooling, gas and internet services are included. Obtain actual recent bills and current activation/deposit quotes from providers. Confirm parking, pets, access, moving restrictions and operational amenities in writing.
Condition and maintenance: Inspect the unit and building, test accessible equipment safely, and record existing damage. Verify the landlord’s identity and ownership and the agent’s authority. A permit or platform badge is a useful check, not proof that all tenancy terms are suitable. Document responsibility for AC, plumbing, appliances and emergency work. Do not assume a universal AED 500 minor-maintenance rule. For renewal, consult DLD’s current rental increase calculator and applicable tenancy law, including notice provisions and any valid agreement. Eviction, non-renewal and rent changes are different matters; obtain advice from the Rental Disputes Center for a dispute.
Ejari and move-in cash: Review the tenancy contract and addenda before signing. Confirm who registers Ejari, the documents needed and the current fee for the selected channel. DLD’s Ejari service and DEWA’s move-in service explain the registration and activation process; do not reuse an old fee as a universal current quote. Add the first rent payment, agreed deposit and commission, Ejari charges, utility/cooling deposits and activation, moving and any building access charges. Distinguish refundable deposits from expenses. Ask each provider for current terms; a percentage of annual rent can seriously understate the first-cheque cash requirement.
Is every deposit 5% or 10%? No universal percentage is established here. Confirm the agreed amount, refund and deduction terms.
Are single-cheque discounts guaranteed? No. Negotiate the rent and payment schedule and record the agreed terms.
What should I ask about maintenance? Get responsibility for cooling, plumbing, appliances, emergencies and move-out repairs in writing. Do not assume a universal minor-repair threshold.
Last reviewed 2026-10-19 by PropertyConnect Editorial
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