1BHK or studio?
A studio is cheaper but one room. A 1BHK gives you a door between the bedroom and the living space, which matters once a baby arrives or one of you works from home. If the budget is tight, a monthly studio or a couple partition gets you started.
| Area | From / month | Typical | Live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Qasimia (Sharjah), Dubai | AED 1,800 | AED 3,000 | 2 |
| Hor Al Anz, Dubai | AED 2,300 | AED 2,300 | 1 |
| Deira, Dubai | AED 2,700 | AED 2,800 | 2 |
| Al Rashidiya (Ajman), Ajman | AED 2,800 | AED 3,000 | 2 |
| Al Baraha, Dubai | AED 3,100 | AED 3,100 | 1 |
| International City, Dubai | AED 3,300 | AED 3,500 | 5 |
| Al Quoz, Dubai | AED 3,950 | AED 3,950 | 1 |
| Bur Dubai, Dubai | AED 4,000 | AED 4,000 | 1 |
| Al Mamzar, Dubai | AED 4,500 | AED 4,500 | 1 |
| Jumeirah 1, Dubai | AED 4,900 | AED 4,900 | 1 |
Good 1BHK areas
- Cheapest: International City, Deira, Al Qusais.
- On the metro: Al Nahda, Discovery Gardens, Al Karama, Al Barsha.
- New buildings: JVC, Silicon Oasis, Sports City.
How the lease works
- 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.
