Which home fits your family
- [Family sharing room](/family/family-sharing-apartment-dubai): a private room for a couple or small family inside a shared flat. The cheapest way to live together in Dubai.
- [Studio](/rent/studios): one open room with kitchen and bathroom. Fine for a couple or a couple with a baby.
- [1BHK](/family/1bhk-apartment-dubai): one bedroom plus a living room. The most common choice for couples and families with one young child.
- [2BHK](/family/2bhk-apartment-dubai): two bedrooms. The family standard: children get their own room, or you share with relatives.
- [3BHK](/family/3bhk-apartment-dubai): three bedrooms, often with a maid's room. For larger families or a home office.
Best areas for families, by budget
Lowest rents: International City, Deira, Al Qusais and Sharjah (Al Nahda, Al Taawun). Middle: Al Nahda Dubai, Al Karama, Discovery Gardens, JVC, Silicon Oasis, Sports City. Higher: Al Barsha, JLT, Business Bay, Dubai Marina.
Want the metro at your door? Start with family apartments near the metro.
How renting a family flat works in Dubai
- Contract: Dubai family flats are normally let on a 12-month contract registered with Ejari. Monthly or 3-month furnished stays exist but cost more per month.
- Payment: rent is paid by post-dated cheques. Fewer cheques (1–2) gets a lower rent; 4, 6 or 12 cheques are negotiable, and some owners accept monthly bank transfer.
- Security deposit: commonly about 5% of the yearly rent for unfurnished and about 10% for furnished, refundable at the end.
- Agency fee: agents usually charge around 5% of the yearly rent. Stayshay charges families nothing.
- DEWA (water and electricity): a refundable connection deposit is paid when you activate the account (larger for villas than apartments), plus monthly bills. Ask whether chiller/AC is included, it changes the bill a lot.
- Family visa link: your Ejari is one of the documents used for sponsoring your spouse and children, so make sure the contract is in the sponsor's name.
Checks before you sign
- Visit at the time you'd commute, and check the walk to the metro or bus stop with children.
- Check the chiller/AC arrangement (DEWA-included, Empower or a separate chiller bill).
- Ask for the title deed or the owner's ID and make sure the person you pay is the owner or a RERA-registered broker.
- Never pay a deposit before viewing. Pay by cheque or bank transfer to the owner's or agency's account, and get a receipt.
- Agree in writing who pays maintenance and what happens if you need to leave early (often 1–2 months' rent penalty).
Tip: Moving from abroad? Many families take a furnished monthly flat for the first 1–3 months, then sign a yearly lease. See our relocation guides.
Family area guides
Al Nahda (Dubai)Metro: Green LineAl QusaisMetro: Green LineMirdifCar / bus areaDubai Silicon OasisCar / bus areaJumeirah Village Circle (JVC)Car / bus areaDiscovery GardensMetro: Red Line (Route 2020)Al BarshaMetro: Red LineAl KaramaMetro: Red Line ADCB station and the BurJuman interchange (Red and Green)Bur DubaiMetro: Green Line Al Fahidi and BurJuman; Red Line Al Ghubaiba areaInternational CityCar / bus areaAl FurjanMetro: Red Line (Route 2020)Dubai Sports CityCar / bus areaDeiraMetro: Red and Green LinesAl Nahda (Sharjah)Car / bus areaAl Taawun (Sharjah)Car / bus areaAl WarqaCar / bus areaJumeirah Lake Towers (JLT)Metro: Red LineBusiness BayMetro: Red LineDubai MarinaMetro: Red LineMotor CityCar / bus area
How much cash do you need on day one?Deposit, agency fee, Ejari and DEWA for any rent: Move-in Cost Calculator.
