Life at Home Changes What Buyers Want

The pandemic has changed daily life in Dubai almost overnight. With movement restricted and schools and offices closed, residents are spending nearly all their time at home. For many, the experience is revealing what they value most in a home, and what their current home lacks.

Changing priorities

• Space: room for the whole family to work, study and relax.
• Outdoor areas: gardens, terraces and balconies.
• Natural light: bright rooms that make long days at home pleasant.
• Extra rooms: spaces that can serve as offices or classrooms.

Effects on the market

Activity has slowed sharply during restrictions. When the market reopens, we expect increased interest in larger homes, villas and apartments with outdoor space.

What this means for landlords

Tenants are likely to look for more space at the next renewal. Landlords of homes with gardens or terraces may find stronger demand.

What this means for developers

Future projects may emphasise flexible layouts, larger balconies and community open space.

Supporting residents

Many residents face financial uncertainty. Landlords and tenants are being encouraged to work together on payment arrangements.

Supporting tenants and landlords through the crisis

The economic effects of the pandemic have put pressure on many households. Some tenants have lost income or face salary reductions, and some landlords depend on rent to meet their own obligations. Open, early communication helps both sides find solutions, such as deferring a payment, spreading rent across more cheques or agreeing a temporary reduction. Any change should be put in writing. Landlords who support reliable tenants through a difficult period often keep them for years afterwards, avoiding vacancies at a time when finding new tenants is hard. Tenants who communicate honestly about their situation are more likely to receive flexibility than those who simply stop paying.

Our view

This period is difficult for everyone. It is also reshaping how people think about their homes. We are supporting clients remotely and preparing for a market in which space will carry a higher value.