Job Discussion Forums

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

Ok, I've gotten some great responses on the questions I've posted so far so I thought I'd keep it going and press my luck a little further.

From what I've read it's not a good idea to accept a contract where the school offers a housing allowance as oppopsed to providing a place to live...is this accurate? Assuming it is and I accept a contract where the accomodation is 'sought and bought' by the employer, what can I expect? Will it be a house? An apartment? Are there horror stories of schools locking entire families of four in a one-bedroom hovel? Can I expect that it will be close to the school or should I just hope it's in the same emirate? Wink

As usual, all info is appreciated!

Cheers,
Smedini

**I read in a few threads that some posters were a little ticked at people asking questions that have already been answered in other places on the board, but most times I look I find pretty old information. It seems things are chaging so fast in the Emirates in terms of costs and what not, that I'm hoping people don't mind if some of the questions are redundant!

Umm Banat · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28

To be honest this is a very general question as different schools offer different packages.
Housing in the bigger emirate would be a flat, it is possible to have a house in the smaller ones.
Allowances would need to be fairly huge in AD or Dubai if you were to find your own.

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Hi
I work for the UAE Academy in Al Ain. Our company gives us an allowance and the freedom to find accommodation in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi where we have our institutes. Because I was given an allowance we decided where we would live - next to the academy and 10 minutes drive to school. It takes a lot longer to get back but that is another matter. We chose the villa and made sure we had a decent landlord (Bank of Dubai) A college may give you accommodation and HCT for example try to give you something that is appropriate to the size of your family - location is more difficult in Abu Dhabi due to cost. In Al Ain there is rumour that those living on Andulus Compound may lose their automatic rite to live in the housing, but this has not been confirmed.
Hope this helps. Most colleges help those with families as the UAE is very child friendly and safe.
Tom

DesertStar · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 80 Location: UAE Oasis

Typically, the allowance would be the cheaper option for the employer.

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

For HCT the cheaper option is housing they provide as they have negotiated long term leases. The benefit of a cash allowance is that the company is not responsible for the property. Swings and roundabouts.
Tom

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

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Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject:

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

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adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

I think he may have meant that if you are an employee of HCT, the cheaper option for you (as the instructor) is to take the housing they provide because the housing allowance is not enough to cover rent in most places.

(that is my inference though...)

I find that I am reminded of that great scene from Clue the movie.

My husband threatened to kill me in public.

Why would he want to kill you in public?

NO, I think she meant "He threatened, in public, to kill me."