When Abu Dhabi resident Hanil Sajad was searching for an apartment in the Madinat Zayed area, he stumbled upon a listing on a well-known website for a building offering shaded parking. 'I was curious because finding parking in that area is nearly impossible, and this building was advertising shaded private parking,' he explained. 'However, upon visiting, I discovered it was just the Mawaqif parking, and they called it shaded because the building's shadow covered it.'
Several Abu Dhabi residents have complained that property agents are deceiving them with misleading descriptions and manipulated photos, only for the reality to be starkly different. Some listings even advertise homes with varying rents and sizes, which prospective renters only uncover upon visiting the property. Hanil, who has been searching for a home since 2022, has encountered several such instances. 'I once saw an apartment listed as 1,500 square feet,' he recalled. 'When I arrived, it was the size of a small room. When I questioned the agent, he said the measurement included the outdoor balcony and part of the corridor, where residents could store their bikes or plant pots.'
In February this year, Dubai introduced new regulations to prevent real estate agents from posting fake ads, giving them a three-day deadline to remove all unavailable properties. A representative from a leading property portal stated they are collaborating with Abu Dhabi authorities to bring similar changes to the emirate's rental market. 'We are fully aware of the frustrations prospective tenants or buyers face when listings don't match the real price or photos, and we understand how this can erode trust in the market,' said Ari Kesisoglu, President of Property Finder. 'If we don't address this issue, it will continue. With government support, we have made significant progress in Dubai and hope to see the same in Abu Dhabi, ensuring transparency and accuracy in real estate listings.'
When Mohammed Azhar was searching for a home in the Al Raha area last year, he experienced similar deceptive practices by several agents. 'When you see a listing on the website, you call the agent and they invite you for a viewing,' he explained. 'You look at it and it seems like a great apartment, but the next day they say it's already gone. They then show you several apartments, many of which are already rented, and eventually tell you they're all taken. They just keep you hanging until you run out of time and patience and are willing to settle for a subpar property.'
Jeff Raju Kuruvilla, CEO of Manifest Real Estate, often encounters clients frustrated by their search. 'One client visited a property based on an online listing, and while standing outside the house, the agent informed him that the requested property had already been sold,' he said. 'Alternative options were available but at a higher price point. As a result, he contacted me to assist in exploring other choices in the same area in Abu Dhabi.'
According to Ari, house hunters should be vigilant when checking listings. 'We have introduced tools like Data Guru, which provide insights and data about properties to help better decision-making, offering a one-stop solution for all the information home seekers typically look for,' he said. 'We also have Super Agent to ensure the best possible information with the most up-to-date listings in the market.'
Jeff emphasized the importance of watching out for low-quality images and vague descriptions. 'Fraudsters often distort the property's image by using stock photos or photos from other listings,' he said. 'Genuine listings usually include detailed descriptions. Listings that are vague or use general language could be fraudulent because they frequently try to hide the true nature of the property or its existence. If a property is listed drastically below market value without a good justification, it is probably a fraud aimed at enticing unsuspecting buyers.'
He also advised renters and buyers to 'always engage with licensed real estate agents' who have broker ID and agencies that are registered, and to report suspicious listings to the platform or local authorities.
