Abu Dhabi rents

Had some marketing bumf today from one of the bigger property companies in Abu Dhabi. You can basically get a mortgage on some of the newer developments for less money a month than the current rental prices. The trouble is that the properties aren't due for completion for 12-18 months, so you would need to be able to fund the mortgage and your rent for this period. Anyway, I looked at their website (http://www.lljproperty.com/index.php) and saw a table showing a current guide to rental prices. Scary stuff. Here it is below. Bear in mind the current exchange rates is around 5.6 AED to GBP. Normally landlords expect the whole year's rent up front too, so many people take loans out to pay the rent. Fortunately, my company will pay the upfront costs and take it back from me monthly, interest free. We have a 3 bedroom "apartment-in-a-villa" and that is costing 190,000 (+5% commission), so just over 200k per year. Legally they can put the rent up a maximum of 5% per annum, I think for the first 3 years, and then they can basically kick you out and find a new tenant at a much higher rental value.

Apartments on island

Studio from AED 100,000 per annum
1 bedroom from AED 180,000 per annum
2 bedroom from AED 240,000 per annum
3 bedroom from AED 320,000 per annum
4 bedroom from AED 400,000 per annum

Villa on island

4 bedroom from AED 450,000 per annum

Villa off island (compound)

3 bedroom from AED 340,000 per annum
5 bedroom deluxe from AED 630,000 per annum

Villa off island (private)

3 bedroom from AED 300,000 per annum
4 bedroom from AED 400,000 per annum
8 bedroom from AED 700,000 per annum