The truth about summer as a Dubai short term landlord

Suspiciously low morning traffic, the terrace in your favourite restaurant closing temporarily, and the sweaty two-minute walks from your car to the office – these are all clear indicators of Dubai's sizzling summer.

But for short term landlords, perhaps the biggest sign comes in the shape of decreasing occupancy and slower activity. This is partly due to a significant peak in overseas travel, with July being a particularly busy period at UAE airports according to a recent report by The National.

Going from a bustling winter period to a few quiet months can bring doubts and concerns to mind – but is this truly a problem in the long run?

We sat down with our Short Term Leasing Director, Emma Campbell, to answer the most common questions about this season and how landlords can use the hot months to their advantage.

Summer is slower for holiday rentals – should I be worried about this as a landlord?

Many landlords do get concerned about slower months and decide to go a different route with their investments. However, they shouldn't worry about the summer effects as activity picks up in no time once the weather gets better around September – and while we can't guarantee occupancy during the summer, we see many relocating individuals, locals, and business travellers still hunting for a place to stay.

Does this mean there is something wrong with the market?

No. Seasonal changes are completely normal and they do not indicate decreasing market dynamics. Dubai's slower summer is simply due to more people travelling abroad, fewer holidaymakers coming to the city, and of course a significant increase in temperature. This will not affect winters either – we still see millions of passengers make their way to Dubai every year.

A real estate agency has guaranteed to increase my occupancy during the summer. Can they do that?

Not quite. When summer comes and short term activity decreases, landlords often think that the agency is the problem and go with a different one that 'guarantees' occupancy. As agents, we will always go above and beyond to help keep your property occupied, but there is no guarantee of this during the slower months. Be careful who you trust and remember that natural market dynamics cannot be changed by any agency, regardless of what they have promised.

Can I benefit from this quieter period?

Absolutely. Summer is a good time to catch up on property maintenance without worrying about bothering your guests. Adding a fresh lick of paint, maintaining the AC, or even a slight redecoration can help preserve the value of your investment and prepare it for the next guests. Not to mention, you can also use the property and enjoy it yourself!

If you have any more questions or want to speak to one of our experts directly, get in touch with our team and we'll be happy to guide you.