As a result of surging rents in Abu Dhabi, many middle income expatriates in the emirate are being forced to live without their families according to industry observers.
As many real estate agents maintain that locals rents have risen by as much as 60 per cent in some areas, those with limited incomes are forced to readjust accordingly, sending their families back home while they work in Abu Dhabi.
“Several expatriates have sent their families back home due to the high rents and several apartments have been vacated," said one property agent according to Emirates Today.
"The demand is so high that even before an apartment is vacated there are people who are willing to pay money to the previous tenants requesting them to transfer it to their names,” the agent added.
There are few available one and two-bed room apartments available, leaving tenants with little choices in housings.
“The situation is compounded by the increase in the cost of living. Prices of food items have gone up by nearly 100 per cent,” said Nora Kadour, a Jordanian housewife
“There are hardly any flats under our control that are lying vacant, there is a severe shortage of accommodation and there are no projects coming up to ease the situation," said Rajesh Parek, an employee of Air India.
