Holiday Homes Property Standards & Guidelines in Dubai

Welcome back to our adventure with Ahmed! Last time, we followed him through the process of acquiring a DTCM permit for holiday homes in Dubai. Now, we're diving into the specifics of guidelines and regulations for operating holiday homes business.

Your Holiday Home: Step-by-Step Classification and Inspection

Apply for a Permit: Before submitting your application, you should ensure all criteria and conditions have been met. The application initiates the classification of holiday homes.

Property Availability for Inspection: During the application process, you'll need to make sure your property is vacant and ready for inspection.

Meeting the Standards: The holiday home will be inspected based on the standards outlined in the DET's guide. If any deficiencies are identified, you will have two weeks to address them. A second visit will confirm these issues have been resolved.

Guest Guidelines: Laying Down the Rules

Now, let's talk about the house rules for your guests.

Clearly defined terms and conditions: These should be written in Arabic and English, covering essential details such as licensee details, stay period, payment terms, guest responsibilities, and more. Remember, guests are accountable for any violation of these rules.

Visitor Limitations: There are restrictions on visitor and guest numbers. For example, a studio or one-bedroom unit can accommodate two adults and two children under 14, plus one additional adult and child for each additional bedroom.

Building Services: Your rules should outline the available amenities, assigned parking, and guidelines for waste disposal or recycling.

Respecting the Rules: Visitors should respect the holiday home's rules, maintaining a quiet environment, especially between 10 PM and 8 AM, and refraining from organizing parties or engaging in inappropriate behavior.

Penalties for Rule-Breaking: Any behavior not aligning with the house rules may lead to consequences like eviction, loss of paid amounts, or additional fees for damages.

Signage: Post a visible sign inside the holiday home outlining these rules.

Check-in and Check-out: The Welcome and Goodbye

Handover: On arrival, you, as the licensee, will receive the guest, hand over the keys, and ensure the unit is clean and ready.

Introduction to Rules: You should inform the guest about the terms, conditions, and house rules.

Registering the Guest: All guest check-ins and check-outs should be registered in the Holiday Home System within three hours of their arrival.

Problem Solving: If any issues arise between building management and the guest, provide an alternative unit of the same standard, size, or better, without additional charges.

For Building Management: Rules and Regulations

Building management must provide free and unrestricted access for authorized guests to their holiday homes, facilitate the entry of guests, and notify the department of any complaints against licensees, guests, or their visitors as soon as possible.

General Property Standards for Holiday Homes

The property must contain a variety of room types:

• Minimum of studio, 1BR, 2BR, Villa, etc.
• A master bedroom with measurements of 3.1 or 3.4 or 3.5 (presumably in square meters)
• Additional bedrooms and studios of a specific size, ranging from 9 to 20 square meters

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• Furnishing and Equipment:
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  • Beds must be equipped with clean headboards, mattresses, sheets, pillows, and covers. They should be of appropriate sizes for master bedrooms, studios, and other bedrooms.
  • Bedside tables with drawers or shelves and shaded bedside lighting should be present.
  • There should be a dresser or wardrobe with drawers and a mirror in the master bedroom.
  • A wardrobe with at least six hangers and a set of drawers or shelves should be provided for clothes.
  • A safety box should be located inside the wardrobe or in a hidden location.
  • A color TV with remote control should be available in the master bedroom.
  • Kitchens should include a cooking device with an oven, a refrigerator, a freezer, and a dishwasher if the unit has two or more bedrooms. A microwave and odor-extraction fan should also be present.
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• Bathroom Requirements:
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  • Every bathroom serving a bedroom should have a shower or bathtub.
  • Toiletries for personal hygiene, such as soap and shampoo, should be provided.
  • The shower should have a glass partition or curtain.
  • There should be a sink and shelf for filtering water.
  • Towels should be provided for each room, two sets of shattafs or bidets, a towel rack, hooks, and a lighted shaving mirror.
  • A hairdryer should also be available.
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• Security and Safety Measures:
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  • The property should have surveillance cameras covering all main entrances.
  • If the property is a multi-storey building, it should have an elevator.
  • For closed complexes, a security guard is required. There should also be sufficient lighting for public entrances, corridors, stairs, and fences.
  • If there are swimming pools, they should have warnings/signs and appropriate safety equipment.
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• Additional Features:
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  • Balcony furniture should be present.
  • There should be a parking space for at least one car.
  • Guests should have the ability to use the swimming pool and gym.
  • Clear internal rules for guests should be provided.
  • Sustainable practices are encouraged, such as waste reduction, linen reusing, and using efficient modes of transportation.
  • Optional intelligent systems for noise sensing, smart locks, and adaptive lighting control can be installed.

We hope this guide brings more clarity to the process of managing your holiday home in Dubai. Join us next time as we continue our journey with Ahmed, delving further into the fascinating world of Dubai's holiday homes.