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Dubai real estate market review: Occupancy increase, stock decrease, top performing areas

The long-term rental market in Dubai witnessed a dramatic increase in yields throughout 2023, positioning the city well ahead of its global counterparts

Dubai real estate market outlook
Popular areas for property purchases included Business Bay (pictured), Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, and Dubai Creek. Image: Shutterstock

As the Dubai real estate market continues at an upward momentum this year, real estate management company AirDXB has released the 2023 market review which revealed key trends including annual market occupancy increases, stock decreases and top performing areas.

Short-let market

Dubai’s short-let market has witnessed a substantial surge, with annual revenues soaring by 14 percent year-on-year (YoY) to an impressive average of AED159,1000.

Occupancy levels also climbed by 21 percent YoY, reaching an average of 57 percent, outshining global counterparts such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Monaco.

The period from February to September saw a dip in short-let stock levels as homeowners shifted towards the long-term rental market due to rising rental prices. This transition allowed those remaining in the short-let sector to command higher Average Daily Rates (ADRs), as demand outpaced supply.

However, a resurgence in stock levels during November and December, fueled by COP28, presented lucrative opportunities for individual private listings.

Top performing areas for the short-let segment

  • Green Community West
  • Dubai Silicon Oasis
  • Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)
  • Dubai Creek

Long-term rentals

The long-term rental market in the emirate witnessed a dramatic increase in yields throughout 2023, positioning the city well ahead of its global counterparts.

Rental renewals outpaced new rental contracts by 5 percent in average value, suggesting that, for some residents, moving accommodation might have been a more cost-effective option.

Top performing areas for the long-term rental segment

AREAHIGHEST RENT (AED)AVERAGE RENT (AED)LOWEST RENT (AED)
Dubai Marina250,000110,00044,000
Downtown Dubai1,350,00030,00057,600
Palm Jumeirah350,000175,00085,000
Jumierah Lakes Towers (JLT)175,00085,00055,000
Business Bay1,450,00099,99948,000

Most affordable areas for long-term rentals

AREAHIGHEST RENT (AED)AVERAGE RENT (AED)LOWEST RENT (AED)
Al Furjan110,00065,00043,000
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)1,350,00070,00036,000
Arjan138,00067,40046,000
Al Warsan78,00044,99932,999
Dubai Silicon Oasis609,00054,99539,999
Dubai Sports City160,00053,00040,000
Discovery Gardens70,00055,00039,000

Dubai: Affordable real estate, soaring transactions

The emirate continues to be one of the most affordable cities globally for real estate, particularly evident in the costs of purchasing an average one-bedroom apartment in the city center.

Transaction volumes and values experienced a significant spike in 2023, with March witnessing the highest number of sales at 12,157. December, on the other hand, marked the pinnacle in total sales value at AED41.3 billion. The mortgage market also flourished, showing a 30 percent YoY increase.

Top areas for property purchases included JVC, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, JLT, and Dubai Creek. Notably, 59 percent of all sale transactions were for off-plan properties, indicating that buyers are actively seeking deals and value in emerging developments.

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Nicole Abigael

Nicole Abigael is a reporter for Arabian Business, a journalist with a knack for unravelling intricate stories across several topics including but not limited to economics, politics, business, entrepreneurship,...