Estate Agents: ARRRGGGGHHHH
Discussion
It's time for a bit of a vent!
This will be the first apartment we've rented since being in Dubai for two years now. We've previously been living in staff accommodation in Al Warqa'a - while not the most up market place it, it suited us well, we were with lots of other colleagues/expats and we were able to save money.
Back in June we decided that we should look outside and didn't renew the contract with the staff accommodation and have stayed with my parents. Also fine, to an extent, but since June we've been looking for an apartment that suits us.
We found one which we loved in Business Bay but it was taken quickly - lesson one, don't hang about when you find the right apartment, at the right price.
That was in August.
Since August we've realised that BB is getting more expensive and since then there have been no apartments in the building we wanted.
We've now started to look elsewhere and went to Remraam to look yesterday. A lot cheaper than BB but slightly smaller and way, way out of town. Not the end of the world.
After agreeing on an apartment and discussing with the agent what was required we went away to get all the documents and some money to secure, telling him we'd be back at 17:30.
We get back at 17:31 and he's gone. Phoned him and he said he left at 17:00! Told us we didn't tell him we'd been back. Started calling my fiancee a liar.
Anyway, we persevered and left documents and money with security (as he's requested) which included 1,000AED (which is taken off the total amount as a guarantee).
He called today stating he needs my salary certificate, the passport, visa, emirates ID for my fiancee also and her salary certificate!
Is this usual. This guy is a real arse and I'm just thinking of going back to the drawing board and telling him to shove it!
He then says we have to wait for the landlord to approve me - WTF?
This will be the first apartment we've rented since being in Dubai for two years now. We've previously been living in staff accommodation in Al Warqa'a - while not the most up market place it, it suited us well, we were with lots of other colleagues/expats and we were able to save money.
Back in June we decided that we should look outside and didn't renew the contract with the staff accommodation and have stayed with my parents. Also fine, to an extent, but since June we've been looking for an apartment that suits us.
We found one which we loved in Business Bay but it was taken quickly - lesson one, don't hang about when you find the right apartment, at the right price.
That was in August.
Since August we've realised that BB is getting more expensive and since then there have been no apartments in the building we wanted.
We've now started to look elsewhere and went to Remraam to look yesterday. A lot cheaper than BB but slightly smaller and way, way out of town. Not the end of the world.
After agreeing on an apartment and discussing with the agent what was required we went away to get all the documents and some money to secure, telling him we'd be back at 17:30.
We get back at 17:31 and he's gone. Phoned him and he said he left at 17:00! Told us we didn't tell him we'd been back. Started calling my fiancee a liar.
Anyway, we persevered and left documents and money with security (as he's requested) which included 1,000AED (which is taken off the total amount as a guarantee).
He called today stating he needs my salary certificate, the passport, visa, emirates ID for my fiancee also and her salary certificate!
Is this usual. This guy is a real arse and I'm just thinking of going back to the drawing board and telling him to shove it!
He then says we have to wait for the landlord to approve me - WTF?
By dubai standards your agent sounds okay as he is only an arse most are a total arse. Unfortunatly what your going through is not uncommon, I blame the agents they will sell you out for 1 AED.
Dusty964 got an appartment up that way through a better than average agent, drop him a line to see who he used
Dusty964 got an appartment up that way through a better than average agent, drop him a line to see who he used
Impspeed said:
Didn't mention we were or weren't married - he assumed we were married and asked for both our passports/visa/EID.
What I find most frustrating is he keeps moving the goal posts. In a couple of days I'm sure he'll want a blood sample and a guarantee from my mothers grandfather!
Ah ok, definitely best way.What I find most frustrating is he keeps moving the goal posts. In a couple of days I'm sure he'll want a blood sample and a guarantee from my mothers grandfather!
Just looked, good value out there, she'll say it is too far out though.
I've got the internal battle before I have the agent battle!
e21jason said:
By dubai standards your agent sounds okay
Sorry sounds about right.Top tip, always have passport / visa / EID copies with you (or in the car at least and if you can a soft copy on your phone.
When house hunting I always carry a big chunk of cash. If you like the place pay cash and get a receipt there and then. I got done a few years ago after agreeing with the agent, giving a cheque but overnight "the landlord let to somebody else before the cheque was cashed!".
We were worried about distance - bit of a ballache to get back on the SMBZ Rd but up to Mrs work in Nad al Sheba is under 25min and my work in DFC just over 30min
He's now saying that if we don't supply her details we can't have the apartment. I don't understand why he needs them as the apartment is in my name.
Plenty more available so this landlord can go f*** himself!
He's now saying that if we don't supply her details we can't have the apartment. I don't understand why he needs them as the apartment is in my name.
Plenty more available so this landlord can go f*** himself!
Never tell them you're living together - if she needs to come with on the viewing, just say she's a friend who's been in Dubai for ages to give you a 2nd opinion.
Walk away from this guy, sounds like he's lining up to screw you over.
And welcome to the neighbourhood! Remraam is good for the $$, if a little out of the way. If you don't have a 4x4, i'd recommend getting a cheap beater Jeep so you can make a quick run to Spinneys across the desert. A month ago, they decided to place a labour camp on top of the hard-packed track that cuts 25minutes off the journey out. No worries in my Jeep as I just take to the sand for 2 minutes, but I can see that it's stopped 90% of the traffic that used to use the track.
Business Bay started getting pricey when they opened the proper road from SZR. Remraam is a great option if you're looking for something quiet and cheap. Only cheaper places are Disco Gardens (nightmare traffic) and International City (utter s
thole - lived there before it become a chinese mafia den). There's tonnes of availability out there - my building is less than a quarter full!
Walk away from this guy, sounds like he's lining up to screw you over.
And welcome to the neighbourhood! Remraam is good for the $$, if a little out of the way. If you don't have a 4x4, i'd recommend getting a cheap beater Jeep so you can make a quick run to Spinneys across the desert. A month ago, they decided to place a labour camp on top of the hard-packed track that cuts 25minutes off the journey out. No worries in my Jeep as I just take to the sand for 2 minutes, but I can see that it's stopped 90% of the traffic that used to use the track.
Business Bay started getting pricey when they opened the proper road from SZR. Remraam is a great option if you're looking for something quiet and cheap. Only cheaper places are Disco Gardens (nightmare traffic) and International City (utter s
thole - lived there before it become a chinese mafia den). There's tonnes of availability out there - my building is less than a quarter full!Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff