Dubai: Some premium and affordable residential neighbourhoods in Dubai are losing the most rental values – on a percentage basis – according to the latest data compiled by a real estate consultancy firm.

Rents in Dubai Marina, where one-bedroom flats can cost up to Dh95,000 a year, are showing the steepest fall, with overall leasing rates registering a 19 per cent drop in September 2017 over the previous year, figures released by Asteco showed.

The cost of renting a flat in Dubai has been on a downward path and as of the third quarter of the year, rates fell by 12 per cent on average when compared with a year earlier. The downside has been due to demand failing to keep up with a huge supply of properties.

In Downtown Burj Khalifa, where new high-rise towers are popping up like mushrooms, landlords are likely more open to lower their rates compared to many other locations. Overall rents in the area posted a negative 18 per cent drop, the second-highest among the communities included in the study.

In the affordable category, the two locations with the steepest fall in rents are Dubai Sports City and Bur Dubai, each registering rental dips of -16 per cent.

However, the cost of renting a one-bedroom flat in Dubai Sports City averages Dh59,000 a year, making it a cheaper option compared to Bur Dubai, where a one-bed apartment can set a tenant back between Dh45,000 and Dh80,000 annually.

Residential units in Jumeirah Village and Deira are also registering major price reductions at -15 per cent, while in Business Bay and Greens, costs have fallen by -14 per cent.

The number of new flats delivered between January and September this year, amounting to 10,200 units, has already surpassed last year’s total supply of 8,750 flats, and some 3,500 more units are coming in before year-end.

Tenants who are on the hunt for a new flat today may not just have an upper hand in negotiating with the landlords, they’re more likely to see a lot of empty units to choose from.

According to Jesse Downs, managing director of Phidar Advisory, vacancies are high in established communities, with an overwhelming 35 per cent to 40 per cent of homes lying empty.

“Even in the most popular areas, vacancies are typically around 25 per cent,” Downs said.

Where rents have fallen most:

Dubai Marina

Highest rent: Dh95,000

Lowest rent: Dh55,000

Average rent: Dh75,000

% Change: -19%



Downtown Dubai

Highest: 120,000

Lowest: 75,000

Average: 97,500

% Change: -18%



Dubai Sports City

Highest: 70,000

Lowest: 48,000

|Average: 59,000

% Change: - 16%



Bur Dubai

Highest: 80,000

Lowest: 45,000

Average: 62,500

% Change: -16%



Jumeirah Village

Highest: 68,000

Lowest: 48,000

Average: 58,000

% Change*: -15%



Deira

Highest: 75,000

Lowest: 35,000

Average: 55,000

% Change: -15%



Business Bay

Highest: 90,000

Lowest: 60,000

Average: 75,000

% Change: -14%



Greens

Highest: 95,000

Lowest: 65,000

Average: 80,000

% Change: -14%

Rental declines in other communities:



Palm Jumeirah:

Highest: 150,000

Lowest: 80,000

Average: 115,000

% Change: -13%



Jumeirah Lakes Towers

Highest: 85,000

Lowest: 55,000

Average: 70,000

% Change: -13%



International City

Highest: 52,000

Lowest: 35,000

Average: 43,500

% Change: -13%



Jumeirah Beach Residence

Highest: 120,000

Lowest: 80,000

Average: 100,000

% Change:-12%



Al Barsha

Highest: 75,000

Lowest: 55,000

Average: 65,000

% Change: -12%



Shaikh Zayed Road

Highest: 125,000

Lowest: 70,000

Average: 97,500

% Change: -9%



DIFC

Highest: 130,000

Lowest: 80,000

Average: 105,000

% Change: -8%



Discovery Gardens

Highest: 65,000

Lowest: 50,000

Average: 57,500

% Change: -2%

*% Change is for period September 2016- September 2017

Note: Rental figures are for one-bedroom flats only

Source: Asteco