Dubai Living Guides

Practical guides to living in Dubai, from someone who manages private homes here.

Sunset over Dubai — original photograph supplied by SETTRA’s founder

Home Maintenance in Dubai: Clear Quotes, Reliable Visits and Repair Handover

Clear quotes, missed visits, repeat faults and repair handover: a practical checklist for Dubai home life, with official consumer-complaint guidance.

November 2026·7 min read

Read Guide

Dubai villa pool and garden with maintenance equipment on the terrace

Dubai Living

Property Management vs Residence Care in Dubai: Which Do You Need?

Rental administration or care of your own home? Compare responsibilities, visit reports, key handling and spending approvals before choosing support in Dubai.

October 2026·8 min read

Luxury Dubai Marina apartment balcony at sunset overlooking yachts and the Marina skyline

Dubai Living

Renting Out Your Dubai Apartment: Holiday Home vs Long-Term Rental

Ejari and the RERA rental index versus a DET holiday-home permit and the Tourism Dirham: how the rules, income stability, effort and risk compare — and what the owner-side of each route involves.

October 2026·8 min read

Car keys and a folded contract on a marble console in a bright Dubai villa interior

Household Management

Hiring a Housemaid or Driver in Dubai: Rules, Costs & Mistakes to Avoid

Tadbeer centres vs licensed agencies, the basics of Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, sponsorship and trial periods, how to check references, and live-in vs live-out compared.

October 2026·8 min read

Private celebration dinner table with candles and white flowers on a Dubai villa terrace at dusk, Burj Khalifa behind

Events & Hosting

Planning a Private Celebration in Dubai: Villa, Yacht or Private Venue

Villa, yacht or private venue compared; a six-week countdown; caterers and private chefs; community rules on noise and parking; budget line items and the day-of run sheet.

October 2026·8 min read

Bright Dubai villa room mid-renovation with architectural drawings and a ladder, skyline through arched windows

Household Management

Renovating a Villa or Apartment in Dubai: Permits, Timeline & Budget

Developer NOCs, municipality and free-zone permits, approved contractors, realistic timelines by scope, budgeting by stage, and the snagging and handover process that protects the final payment.

October 2026·8 min read

Leather notebook, fountain pen and phone on a walnut desk with the Dubai skyline at dusk behind

Lifestyle

How Much Does a Private Concierge Cost in Dubai? (2026 Guide)

Pay-per-task, monthly retainers and membership clubs compared; what is usually included, which costs stay with third parties, the red flags to watch for, and eight questions to ask before you hire anyone.

October 2026·8 min read

New empty Dubai apartment with moving boxes and house keys on the kitchen island, Burj Khalifa view

Relocation

Moving Into a New Home in Dubai: Ejari, DEWA, Chiller, Gas & Internet

The right order for setting up a Dubai home: tenancy contract, Ejari, DEWA and its refundable deposit, district cooling, gas, internet from du or e&, the building move-in permit and inspection photos — with a timeline and documents checklist.

October 2026·8 min read

Dubai villa pool and garden with an outdoor AC unit being serviced and a toolbox on the terrace

Household Management

Villa Maintenance Calendar for Dubai: Month by Month

AC servicing before summer, duct cleaning, quarterly pest control, water tanks, pool and irrigation, waterproofing before the winter rains and the summer-travel shutdown — a twelve-month calendar for a Dubai villa.

October 2026·8 min read

Prepared luxury guest bedroom in a Dubai villa with fresh flowers, folded towels and a palm view at dusk

Events & Hosting

Hosting Family or VIP Guests in Dubai: A Planner's Checklist

Visa eligibility, airport meet-and-assist, preparing the guest room, peak-season restaurant bookings, itineraries by season and for children and older guests, Ramadan etiquette and a four-week countdown.

October 2026·8 min read

Table for two with white flowers in a Dubai restaurant overlooking the skyline

Lifestyle

Concierge Service in Dubai: How to Make a Request That Works

From restaurant reservations and tickets to flowers and transport: what to include in a Dubai concierge request, how bookings work and what to check before paying.

October 2026·4 min read

Villa linen room with folded white towels on wooden shelves and a window view of the Dubai skyline

Household Management

Hiring Domestic Staff in Dubai: What Every Family Should Know

A house manager's guide to hiring a nanny, housemaid or driver in Dubai under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022: contracts, probation, rest days, leave, insurance, passports and end of service.

October 2026·4 min read

Villa entrance at dusk with a suitcase by the front door, closed shutters and a pool in front

Household Management

Leaving Dubai for the Holidays? How to Protect Your Villa

Dubai Police offers a free Home Security service for villas while you travel. Here's how it works, plus the checklist we go through before a family leaves and before they come home.

October 2026·4 min read

Dinner table in red light with wine glasses, red roses and lit candles

Events & Hosting

Private Dinner in Dubai: Hosting a Chef's Dinner at Home

Planning a private dinner or a private chef dinner at home in Dubai? Chef vs caterer, menu planning, the gate list, one shared timeline, neighbours and the details guests notice.

October 2026·6 min read

Atlantis The Palm at sunset, Palm Jumeirah Dubai

Dubai Living

Renting a Holiday Villa in Dubai: What to Check Before You Sign

The listing photos never tell you how a villa stay will actually go. Here is what we check before anyone signs: the holiday home permit, security access, housekeeping, maintenance response, the deposit, and a pre-arrival walk-through.

October 2026·4 min read

Aerial view of Dubai skyline at sunset with downtown skyscrapers and coastline

Relocation

What It Really Takes to Relocate to Dubai in 2026

Moving to Dubai sounds exciting — and it is. But behind the glamour is a long checklist most people never see coming. From golden visa applications to finding the right school, sourcing trusted household staff, and navigating a city where connections matter more than Google, relocation is a full-time job in itself. Here is what the journey really involves.

March 2026·4 min read