You can set up your house as a short-term vacation rental while you are outside of the UAE if you are a Dubai resident searching for alternate methods to make a little additional money while on vacation.
But if you’re a tenant, specifically, you need to be aware of specific guidelines and requirements. Here’s how you can earn money from your Dubai residence while traveling outside of the UAE.
Can one rent out the house even if one is a tenant?
It is acceptable for tenants to use their villa or apartment as a vacation rental for a few weeks or months while they are away from the UAE.
To keep a holiday house in Dubai, it is necessary to obtain a permit from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and abide by all rules and regulations.
For instance, you cannot rent out merely a portion of the property, like a room or a bed space, but rather the entire vacation house. In addition, you would also require home insurance to protect against any harm that might result from the visitor’s stay.
Get your landlord’s approval
You’ll need the landlord’s consent if you don’t own the property.
Only tenants who have a no-objection letter (NOC) from their landlord and who rent out the property on a temporary basis are eligible to apply for the DTCM vacation home permit.
Also Read: Apartment renting in Dubai 2022: 5 costs to consider
Inform your building’s management
Tenants should also let building management and security know if they are running a vacation rental in the apartment building or communal villa and that they have a holiday home permit.
It is important to email the community administration and apartment security with the DTCM license, the guests’ check-in date, and copies of their passports. This is to make sure that when they arrive, they will know if the person is permitted to stay in the apartment.
How does one apply for the holiday home permit?
You must first apply for permission from DTCM, which is managed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, in order to set up your house as a short-term vacation rental (DET).
There are two ways for tenants to get this permit: either by working with a real estate company, which will handle the entire process, market the house on websites like Airbnb, and take care of its upkeep. As an alternative, a tenant can apply for permission independently through the DTCM website.
Does the property need to be inspected?
The authority regularly inspects the properties to make sure Dubai vacation homes adhere to the DTCM’s requirements.
Before inspecting the unit, the department will typically call and schedule the inspection with the tenant. If the unit is inhabited, the inspection is scheduled after it is unoccupied.