The UAE has an expat population of more than 8.45 million and with that comes a HUGE variance in the kind of accommodations that people opt for.

From renting, buying and sharing to checking into hotel or serviced apartments and Airbnbs, Dubai’s property scene has seen it all. However, the more popular and feasible alternative for single expats in the city seems to be apartment sharing with flatmates… but with that comes many, MANY ups and downs.

You go into it thinking it’ll save you money and become a ‘Friends’ kinda sitch for you, but most of the times the reality of it all is quite the opposite. Though some get lucky and live with their ideal roomies, others find it difficult to navigate through alien territory.

Rent in Dubai deffo ain’t cheap, thus why every other person you meet will suggest apartment sharing if you’re looking to cut down on expenses. With flatmates, you either go dutch on the rent or negotiate it out depending on if you’re the landlord or the tenant. But either way, when playing the game of roomie roulette… you never know what unique experience awaits.

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We asked you about your flat-sharing experiences on Instagram and you obliged with some prettyyyy…concerning responses:

This one by far TOPS the list! A roommate who stopped stealing food and stopped flushing the toilet as revenge… are these humans for real?!🤦🏻‍♀️

A lot of the responses we got in regards to flat-sharing was of roomies flicking their food… why… just why?!

Flat-sharing pro-tip #1: Always set strict boundaries from day 1! We recommend the divide and conquer technique for strangers-turned-roomies.

But of course to each their own!

Every once in a while we come across roomies that are an absolute blaassst to be around. This goofball moment would make anyone LOL!

No words.

The key to a successful living scene is separate washrooms and air cons! TRUST US ON THIS ONE.

To avoid situations like this, many experts suggest spending time with your roomies every once in a blue moon to keep the vibe in order!

Make a WhatsApp group and decide on a stay-at-home movie night, sweet simple and proven to be effective (for most)! Or head out for a walk, go gymming but one rule to always be mindful of is to think twice before mixing your friends. It might be fun and games now but can lead to some rocky waters going forward.

If there’s no respect for each other’s space and personal belongings then it ain’t worth the constant paranoia… it’s time for a roomie change

Many people don’t have the luxury of having separate rooms… especially when you’ve got yourself a bed space or are sharing a 1BHK, but we cannot stress the importance of having your own room in the apartment.

Communication is key! You want your house to be a home, and for that, you need to live with people you can trust and effectively communicate with!

Always check with your roommates before touching or throwing their stuff, your good intentions could always be construed the wrong way.

And on that note, remember to build trust by always informing your flatmates about you inviting over guests. This helps in avoiding clashes and saves you from ugly confrontations going forward.

Regardless of your experience, it’s so important to learn from your mistakes and see what works for you

Although challenging, once you fall into stride with your roomie, they could become your #1 support system. At the end of the day you both are hustling through life and trying to make a decent living, so spend time building that relationship – because the reality is you both need each other to make it through the month.

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— Lovin Dubai | لوڤن دبي (@lovindubai) June 2, 2021

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