Emirates ID verification and identity checks
The first step in our screening process is verifying the identity of the prospective tenant. Every UAE resident holds an Emirates ID, a biometric identity card issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. We verify the validity of the Emirates ID, check that the name matches the passport and confirm residency status.
For new expats who do not yet hold an Emirates ID, we verify the passport, the entry visa and the employer confirmation. We do not accept tenants without verifiable identity: this is the minimum basis for a secure tenancy.
Salary verification and employer confirmation
Financial capacity is crucial. We ask every candidate for their last three salary slips and an employment letter confirming salary, position and length of service. As a rule of thumb, the annual rent should not exceed 30–35% of gross annual salary.
For self-employed entrepreneurs we request a trade license, bank statements for the last six months and an accountant's statement. Corporate tenants, where the company signs the lease on behalf of the employee, offer the highest security. In that case we verify the company's commercial registration and the signatory's authority.
References and payment history
We always contact the candidate's previous landlord or property manager. The questions we ask: Was the rent always paid on time? Were there complaints from neighbours or the building management? In what condition was the property left? Would you rent to this tenant again?
We also check whether the candidate is involved in any ongoing disputes at the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC). A tenant with a history of rental disputes is a red flag. We have access to the RDSC register and can verify this efficiently. For tenants who are new to Dubai and have no local rental history, we place greater weight on the employer confirmation and financial documentation.
Deposit and financial safeguards
Beyond screening, the security deposit and the cheque system provide additional financial protection. The standard deposit is 5% of the annual rent for unfurnished homes and 10% for furnished homes. For premium properties with high-end interiors a higher deposit can be agreed.
The postdated cheques provided by the tenant form a second safeguard. A bounced cheque is a criminal offence in the UAE under federal criminal law. As a result, tenants in Dubai rarely default on their payment obligations: the consequences are simply too severe. The combined system of screening, deposit and cheques makes the risk of non-payment in Dubai considerably lower than in most European markets.
Screening corporate tenants
Corporate tenants, where a company signs the lease on behalf of an employee, are typically the most reliable category. The company guarantees the rent payments and the employee is expected to keep the home in good condition. Many multinationals cover housing up to a set budget as part of the expat package.
For corporate tenants we verify the company's trade license, the signatory's authority (board resolution or power of attorney), the company's financial health and the employee's length of service. Augusta Properties has relationships with corporate relocation agencies that vouch for the reliability of the company and the employee in advance.
Our screening report and recommendation
After completing the screening, we present you with a concise screening report for each candidate. This report covers: identity verification (confirmed/not confirmed), employer confirmation and salary verification, rent-to-income ratio (annual rent as a percentage of annual salary), references from the previous landlord, the RDSC check and our recommendation.
We present you with a maximum of three screened candidates, ranked by our assessment. The final choice is always yours: we advise, you decide. In our experience, a thorough screening process results in fewer than 2% problem cases over the full lease term.