Should you rent a townhouse or villa in Dubai?
Residents in Dubai are spoilt for choice with the wide variety of rental properties available, catering to diverse needs and lifestyles. Among the most sought-after options for large families are townhouses and villas. While both offer ample space and comfort, there are notable differences in annual rents, living costs and other key factors that may influence your decision. If you’re debating whether to rent a townhouse vs villa in Dubai, here’s a guide to help you weigh the options before making your choice.
Things to consider before renting a townhouse or villa in Dubai
Apart from flats, townhouses and villas are two of the most popular properties in Dubai. But which one will be more suitable for you as a tenant? Learning about the important differences between the two can help you make a more informed decision.
For instance, unlike villas, townhouses (or townhomes) in Dubai share a common wall with another unit. Villas, on the other hand, are mostly independent properties. This can offer greater privacy, which is often an important deciding factor for those looking at more intimate family-centric units. Townhouses for rent in Dubai can be ideal for those in search of such benefits.
Looking for villas to rent in Dubai? Whether you choose a palatial villa in Arabian Ranches or a stylish townhouse in Akoya Oxygen, your preference will ultimately depend on these factors:
Rental Price
One of the crucial factors when it comes to choosing to rent a townhouse vs villa in Dubai is to determine what you are willing to spend in annual rent. In general, villas are on a higher rental bracket compared to townhouses. For example, according to current listings, a 3-bedroom villa for rent in The Springs has a starting lease price of AED 200k. On the other hand, 3-bed townhouses for rent in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) start at AED 155k per annum.
It is important to bear in mind that the price may vary depending on the housing community. For example, some villa communities may be more expensive than others. Potential tenants who are looking for budget-friendly housing, which is private and secluded can look into the affordable villa communities in Dubai.
Location
The location is another aspect to keep in mind when making the choice between renting villas vs townhouses in Dubai. Most neighbourhoods in the emirate offer a mix of townhouses, apartments and villas. But some areas are known to focus on a specific property type.
This is also more commonly found in the newer parts of Dubai. Older villa communities such as Jumeirah, Al Barsha and Al Rashidiya have a lower inventory of townhouses while the newer suburbs such as Arabian Ranches, JVC and The Springs have a mix of the two.
For example, Arabian Ranches has a larger collection of villas, with townhouses dedicated to smaller sub-communities like Reem. The Nshama community of Town Square, on the other hand, has a sizeable inventory of townhomes and a lower number of villas.
You can also look into neighbourhoods like Dubai Silicon Oasis, Arabian Ranches and Palm Jumeirah, which offer a mix of all three property types.
Apart from this, tenants looking for more options can search in the best areas to rent townhouses in Dubai. Additionally, tenants looking exclusively for villas may consider popular villa communities in Dubai in their search for a suitable home.
For a better idea of suitable locations to rent a townhouse vs villa in Dubai, take a look at our Area Guides for accurate details of the different neighbourhoods.
Cost of living
The annual rent isn’t the only factor when it comes to deciding between one property or another. You also have to consider associated living costs that come with the territory.
Oftentimes, it’s the size that impacts living costs. Villas are available as attached, detached and semi-detached properties in Dubai and are hence larger. On the other hand, townhouses — which share a common wall with another unit — are slightly smaller.
Since a villa occupies more space, you will naturally need to allocate a higher budget to furnish it when you move. While this is a one-off expense, there are other recurring costs to consider as well. Some villas in Dubai come swimming pools and lawns, whereas few townhouses do. Since the built-up area is bigger, you will also spend a higher amount maintaining a villa. Additionally, most villa residents hire professional pool and lawn services to maintain their properties, which add to the annual living costs.
The security deposit to set up a DEWA connection for a villa or townhouse is relatively the same at AED 4,000. However, villa tenants may end up paying more in water bills owing to the amount of water needed for maintaining pools and lawns.
Prospective tenants may find that the cost to decorate, maintain, furnish and fit-out a townhouse — which has a smaller built-up area — is often more affordable.
Privacy and view
Since both types of properties are low rise buildings, most villas and townhouses, mainly offer views of the community itself. However, villas, which are standalone units, are known to offer more privacy.
Parking
Rent, living costs and privacy aside, the availability of parking spaces is also an important factor that may define your choice of renting a villa in Dubai as compared to townhouses.
Apart from expansive parking garages, villas usually provide additional on-street parking. While townhouses do feature indoor parking, they are more suited for tenants who have fewer vehicles. Additionally, a townhouse’s smaller built-up area also leaves less space for outdoor parking.
So, for potential tenants who own more than two private vehicles and also entertain visitors regularly, a villa may be the best option. In fact, expansive parking spaces are just one of the many advantages of renting a villa in Dubai.
Amenities
When it comes to evaluating the pros and cons of renting a villa vs townhouse in Dubai, the available amenities are another important factor to consider. A townhouse is usually situated within compact complexes with shared amenities. Villa compounds are also generally less crowded, have a larger private area and hence offer more amenities.
For example, depending on the size of your family and personal requirements, you can get a villa for rent in The Springs with a private pool, laundry room facilities, maintenance staff and other perks.
FAQs
Is it better to buy an apartment or townhouse in Dubai?
Townhouses are typically more expensive to buy compared to flats. So, those with budgetary constraints may be better off with the latter.
Is buying a villa in Dubai a good idea?
It is once you consider that the emirate offers tax free benefits, luxury lifestyles and high rental yields.
Is it better to live in an apartment or villa in Dubai?
Want to compare apartment living to villas instead? Understanding the different factors to evaluate while choosing between an apartment and villa in Dubai can help you make a more astute decision about your living arrangements.
That is all for our guide to rent a townhouse vs villa in Dubai. For potential tenants, choosing between the two depends on several personal considerations which include everything from budgetary concerns and lifestyles choices to available amenities. On that note, we hope our guide makes it easier for you to find a suitable rental home in the city. No matter where you move, our guide for house movers in Dubai can make your relocations convenient.
If you are concerned about how much it might cost to live in the city, here is our comprehensive guide on the cost of living in Dubai.
If you are new to the city, you can discover all about life in Dubai and what it has to offer for different age groups.
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