Job Discussion Forums

Bklyngrl · Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 20

Anyone considering applying to UAEU should think seriously about this. It has now been 15 weeks and my family is still in temporary housing. There are 5 other families in the same situation. It doesn't seem like this housing shortage will end soon. Whatever faculty leave or retire will have their villas and flats scooped up by the 30 or so people housed in the sub-par warren, Al Khaibisi Apts. They've been promised first dibs in May. There is no housing and I doubt there will be any next year.

colt · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 86 Location: Milky Way

I suspect that the world economic meltdown will free up some of the overpriced apartments being built in the UAE.

Prices are down 40% in some Dubai areas.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject:

Prices of properties to buy may be down in some Dubai areas but Dubai is not Al Ain and the freehold market is not the same as the rental market.

While rents here in Al Ain have gone up, the real problem for new UAEU hires is the incompetence etc. of the chap in charge of housing. I have not heard of HCT new hires being in a similar position. Plus at UAEU housing allowance for expatriate staff has not been increased for years, not since some time in the 1990's.

It's a shame that one person can make so many people's lives so miserable, and turn what looks on paper to be a good job (salary, hours, benefits, vacations) into a job you would only recommend to a singleton with no desire to invite friends round.

colt · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 86 Location: Milky Way

Even with the recent increase of allowances at HCT, it does not meet the market prices. I am paying Dhs.19,000 a year out of pocket to cover my rent. It goes up 7% every year!

Iamherebecause · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject:

Two questions for Colt:
1. Is that in Al Ain?
2. How do you end up paying out of pocket - is it if you choose a place which is more than the allowance when they have offered something within the allowance? Or is it some other system - do you end up paying out of pocket if HCT find you a place and then the rent rises beyond the allowance?

colt · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 86 Location: Milky Way

It's in Abu Dhabi.

Long story short, HCT agreed to pay the difference and then after 1 year, they reneged on the agreement.

Couldn't take the trauma of another move, so bit the bullet and paid.