Desk research against primary sources, with the issuing authority linked where a page states an official fee, rule or deadline.
Viewing apartments in Dubai is not the same as in many other countries. There are Dubai-specific factors — district cooling vs split AC, chiller-free vs chiller-included buildings, Salik proximity, and building maintenance fee disputes — that can make a seemingly good deal much more expensive in practice.
This checklist gives you a consistent framework to use on every apartment viewing. Print it out, bring it with you, and fill it in during the visit. If you're viewing multiple properties the same day, the notes will be invaluable when comparing later.
Pay particular attention to the chiller status and parking spaces — these are the two most common sources of unpleasant surprises in Dubai rentals. A AED 80,000 apartment that charges AED 12,000/year for chiller costs as much as a AED 92,000 chiller-free unit.
Dubai Apartment Viewing Checklist
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