Build-to-Rent Projects in JBR Deliver Fixed Rents and Longer Leases

A 320-unit build-to-rent block at Marina Heights opened on 15 June with one-bedroom flats listed at 4,500 dirhams a month, utilities included, under five-year leases that lock in the rate.

Global supply shocks from recent clashes in the Middle East and southern Europe have lifted material costs and slowed new private sales stock in Jbr, leaving more households weighing rental options over ownership in a market where entry-level apartments now average 1.2 million dirhams.

Two schemes stand out locally. The first sits on Al Jbr Boulevard beside the old souk tram stop, where operator Jbr Living Group manages the site and handles repairs within 24 hours. The second, still under fit-out at the corner of Palm Street and the Jbr Cultural Centre, will add 180 units next spring through the city’s Build-to-Rent Incentive Program that grants developers five-year tax relief in exchange for capped annual rent rises of 3 percent.

Services that cut tenant outlays

Tenants at Marina Heights receive weekly cleaning of shared lobbies, a staffed parcel room and access to a gym and co-working floor without extra fees. Jbr Living Group reports that 70 percent of current residents previously spent between 1,800 and 2,200 dirhams a month on separate utility and maintenance bills elsewhere in the city. The fixed package removes those line items and removes the need for individual service contracts.

Jbr Real Estate Authority figures released last month show average asking rents across the waterfront rose 8 percent between June 2025 and June 2026, while mortgage rates for first-time buyers remain above 5.25 percent. Build-to-rent contracts avoid those rate swings and the 4 percent stamp duty that applies on purchases above 1 million dirhams.

Next steps for renters

Applicants can register interest for the Palm Street phase through the authority’s portal before 31 July, when the next allocation round closes. Prospective tenants should compare total monthly costs, including any parking or pet fees listed in the lease schedules, rather than headline rent alone.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.