‘Security key to renting homes’

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Security is the overall concern for a family looking to rent a new flat, apartment or villa. There are many benchmarks one has to look for including a place they call home for as long as they want without a threat of sudden eviction.

This was stated by Haleema Al Owais, Director, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Real Estate, a leading name in the rental property industry in the country. In an exclusive interview with Gulf Today, she said, “The concerns vary according to the tenant requirements but the common denominator is the security that they can call this unit a home as long they need without a threat of sudden eviction since they build their network around their homes like children’s schools, proximity to their support system, commute to work, public transport and others.”

The firm has a footprint in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman and is also expanding to Ras Al Khaimah. “We have a fairly large Indian community who rarely shift unless it’s to a larger unit within our company to accommodate a growing family. The majority of this community aim to build a home here that resemble their home back in India and where they can build a life here for themselves and children while saving up for their retirement in India,” she added.

Haleema Al Owais majored in Urban Planning and made full-on efforts to provide her best to the community around her. “By the time I joined the family business my perspective of the business became too clinical and one-dimensional focusing on just return on investment (ROI) while I felt the need to see the human side. The business guided me in to consolidating it to include everything within our capacity to provide the tenants with everything they require to make them feel like all their needs are met.”

Shedding light on the expansion, she pointed, “All of the UAE is developing as a ripple effect from one emirate to another, Dubai and its tourism influx with some of them considering moving to the country to start a life here. Sharjah with its cultural values making it an ideal home for families and those who prefer a quieter life. Ajman and its rapid development and RAK with its adventurous hub and picturesque mountains, making it the famous tourism attraction and therefore an opportunity for people to find jobs.”

Responding to a question on the expatriate community moving towards ‘owing’ a house in the country, she said, “It depends on their income bracket and plans for their future, the country has a lot to offer for residents who wish to live here long term and owning a property makes retirement possible with the new legislation.