A 2BHK (two bedrooms, hall and kitchen) is the standard family flat in Dubai. The best value is in Al Qusais, Al Nahda, Discovery Gardens, International City, Silicon Oasis and Sharjah; JLT, Business Bay and the Marina cost the most. Send Stayshay your budget and areas and we'll WhatsApp you real 2BHK options, free.
How many cheques, and is there a discount for fewer?
Is there a maid's room or storage? (Often called 2BHK + maid's.)
Covered parking: how many spaces?
Distance to your children's school, in rush-hour minutes.
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.
Checks before you pay
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).
International City, Deira and Al Qusais usually have the lowest 2BHK rents in Dubai; Sharjah's Al Nahda and Al Taawun are cheaper still for a similar size.
Can I find a 2BHK near the metro?
Yes. Al Nahda and Al Qusais (Green Line), Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan (Red Line Expo branch), Al Karama, Al Barsha and JLT all have family buildings within walking distance of a station.
Can two families share a 2BHK?
Families do share 2BHKs (one room each, shared kitchen), but the tenancy holder must have the landlord's permission and the flat must not be overcrowded. See family sharing.
Is there a fee for families?
Stayshay charges families nothing. If an option comes through an agency, the agency fee (usually around 5% of the yearly rent) is shown before you view.
Can I rent a family apartment in Dubai monthly?
Yes, as a furnished monthly rental or serviced apartment, but it costs more per month than a 12-month contract. Many families stay 1–3 months furnished, then sign a yearly lease once they know the area.
