The Hidden Nightmares of Dubai: Apartment Horrors in the City of Gold
Dubai is known for its luxury, towering skyscrapers, and endless possibilities, but behind this facade lies a less glamorous truth for many residents.
Despite the gleaming towers and upscale malls, living in apartments in Dubai can often be a nightmare.
Residents face issues like poor maintenance, sky-high rents, and landlords who may not always be straightforward.
Here, we explore the less talked about aspects of Dubai’s housing market, sharing real stories from those who have experienced its darker side.
The High Cost of Living
Dubai is known as a global hub, but living here comes at a steep cost. Renting an apartment in Dubai is one of the most expensive in the world.
The city offers various housing options, from simple studios to luxurious penthouses, but even basic apartments can stretch the budgets of average residents.
Many expats, a large part of the population, spend a significant portion of their income on rent, leaving little for savings or other necessities.
A resident in Dubai recently shared:
“It’s ridiculous how rents in Dubai are skyrocketing, making it insanely expensive to live here. It’s overwhelming and infuriating to see the prices keep climbing without any regard for people’s financial well-being. Something needs to change before it becomes impossible for anyone to afford living in this city.”
Maintenance Woes
Many apartment residents in Dubai complain about buildings that aren’t well-maintained.
Despite paying high rents, they often face issues like broken elevators, leaking ceilings, and unreliable air conditioning.
In Dubai’s hot climate, having working AC is a must, but repairs can take a long time and usually provide only temporary fixes.
Another Dubai resident recounted their experience:
“I’m new to Dubai and really don’t know the laws and my rights as a tenant. I recently moved into a not-so-cheap place, 150k dirhams a year in a very nice building. The AC wasn’t working, stuck at 28 degrees. The landlord decided to cheap out and send unqualified people to fix it, about 20 different companies over a week, literally from 8 am till midnight. Finally, ‘his friend and he’ came, they broke a pipe and flooded my bathroom. It’s still leaking. They did fix the AC, but it cools to about 23.5 at a ridiculous price. They left me with a mess to clean, about half an inch of water that ruined a ton of our expensive stuff. I’ve been here for 10 days, paid rent in two cheques, and honestly, I want out of this place.”
The Bait-and-Switch Tactic
Many tenants in Dubai fall victim to the bait-and-switch tactic used by dishonest landlords and real estate agents.
They show prospective tenants pristine apartments, but once the lease is signed and they move in, a list of hidden problems emerges.
Issues like pest infestations, mold, and outdated appliances only become apparent after it’s too late to back out of the lease.
Another Dubai resident shared their experience:
“I lived in The Address Sky View, one of the better hotel apartments owned and operated by Emaar. It costs 180–250k AED/year to rent a one-bedroom. My AC stopped working 10 times during the summer months. They finally replaced the entire AC unit, which took two weeks. In the process, they damaged the bathroom vanity and door, leaving paint and debris all over the carpet. This was done by an approved Emaar team. In 7 years, this was my worst experience. Most years, I only dealt with minor issues. But water leaks, AC issues, pipes bursting, and unprofessional repair people are ongoing realities here.”
Deceptive Advertising
The glossy advertisements promising “luxurious living” often do not match reality. Real estate listings in Dubai are notorious for exaggerating the quality of the apartments.
Phrases like “sea view” or “state-of-the-art amenities” are frequently used to lure in tenants, only for them to find that the sea view is a tiny sliver visible from one corner of the balcony, and the amenities are outdated or non-functional.
Hidden Fees and Charges
Another common horror story involves the hidden fees and charges that tenants discover after moving in.
These can include exorbitant service charges, unexpected maintenance fees, and even charges for using building facilities that were initially advertised as free.
For many, the initial rent is just the beginning of a series of financial burdens they are not prepared for.
Lack of Tenant Rights
In Dubai, the legal framework heavily favors landlords, making it difficult for tenants to fight back against unfair treatment.
Rent increases, even beyond the legally allowed limit, are common, and tenants often feel powerless to contest them.
Evictions can happen with little notice, leaving residents scrambling to find new accommodations on short notice.
Real Stories from Dubai Tenants
The challenges of apartment living in Dubai are vividly illustrated by the real experiences of residents:
Marina Heights Horror:
“I lived in Marina Heights till last year. The building is more or less falling apart at this point. There is always some sort of maintenance or the other going on all the time. It is still well built but I feel it’s currently overpriced for its age.”
Nightmare roommates:
“First time living in shared accommodation and it was wild. Eighteen kabayans sharing a 1-bedroom flat with only 1 bathroom. I remember having to go to the metro or Al Ghurair in Deira just to use the bathroom because it was always occupied. Drinking sessions happened almost every day, often leading to fights. One night, drunk flatmates fought someone in the parking lot, who turned out to be the building manager. We were evicted immediately.”
Airbnb Odors:
“One thing you can’t do online is smell the apartments. We booked an Airbnb there for a month and lasted a week. It smelled of all the foods cooking. It took forever to get the lifts. Inside the apartment was okay, and you can make it your own, but cheaper attracts a certain type of neighbor.”
Brothel in the Building:
“There is a brothel in our building in Discovery Gardens. Every hour, there are a bunch of men entering that apartment. One time, a guy mistakenly entered ours looking for a massage.”
Grumpy Flatmates:
“Living in Deira, I had a grumpy old roommate who used profane language with everyone. One morning, I knocked on the bathroom door, and he started abusing me from inside. I was hungover and couldn’t bear it, so I kicked the door and dragged him out. He threatened to call the police but didn’t. I moved out the same day.”
Unexpected Guests:
“I used to live with a colleague. She had the bedroom while I lived in the hall. I didn’t have a door but put up a curtain to create a separate space. We all had our own keys. One day, I walked in and pulled back the curtain to see a stranger sleeping in my sofa bed. It took a lot of resolve to not shriek. Turns out my colleague had given her key to a friend, and the woman didn’t know which space was whose, so she ended up in mine.”
Power Outages and Fleeing Landlords:
“This happened to me twice. My friends and I shared a room that was sublet by a person to whom we paid rent and DEWA (utility) bills. The first time, the landlord failed to pay DEWA on time because he was waiting for recovery from other tenants. I was the first to reach my room after work, and there was a total blackout; the electricity was cut off, and the landlord was out of sight. We had to spend the night outside, and the next day it got fixed. The second time was even more fun. The sublet landlord had many other flats in the same building, and suddenly one day we heard from the real estate company that he had fled the country without paying them, and we had to vacate the flats. We had to spend another night without electricity and the next day find new accommodation and move.”
Troubles Finding the Right Place:
“I have a lot of trouble finding ‘the right place’ for me in Dubai. Let’s put it like this: I am a bit picky about where I live, and many apartments and buildings have a lot of flaws in Dubai. Whether the AC is very old, the building is stinky, the kitchen is not really a kitchen and I can’t cook properly, the surroundings are smelly outside, the walls are too thin and I can hear the neighbors talking in the evening/night, the traffic is awful to get from A to B from my apartment, or the area where I live does not have many restaurants or cafés close by.”
Conclusion
Dubai’s apartment horrors are a stark reminder that beneath the city’s glamorous exterior lies a complex and often challenging reality. While the city offers incredible opportunities and a vibrant lifestyle, it is essential for prospective tenants to conduct thorough research, be aware of potential pitfalls, and be prepared to advocate for their rights. With the right precautions, it is possible to navigate the dark side of Dubai’s housing market and find a place that truly feels like home.
