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Watchmen double up as property brokers

ABU DHABI - Watchmen of residential buildings in the capital are apparently making big money as part-time property brokers.

By M. A. Qudoos (Deputy Bureau Chief)

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Published: Thu 21 Dec 2006, 9:22 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Jun 2023, 2:44 PM

It is almost impossible for people looking for accommodation to gain access to a property without the help of its watchmen who charge a substantial amount as commission once the deal is done.

According to a survey carried out by Khaleej Times, the commission ranges from Dh500 to Dh1,000 for a single room in shared accommodation and from Dh10,000 to Dh15,000 for an independent apartment.


Mohammed, who was transferred by his office from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, was looking for a room with an attached bath in a shared accommodation in an apartment.

He came in contact with a watchman, Guddu, who told him to come in the evening to view the room in a three-bedroom apartment near the Navy Gate. The apartment was being sub-let by its lessee who had run into financial problems.

Mohammed reached there on time and found Guddu waiting for him. The room, a master bedroom with an attached bathroom and a balcony, was available for a rent of Dh1,800 per month, payable in advance on the first of every month.

The deal was done, but Mohammed had to pay Dh1,000 as commission to the watchman for his services of searching for a room, accompanying him and introducing him to the lessee.

Mohammed was told that he will not be interacting with the lessee in future. It will be Guddu who will collect the rent every month and look after other matters pertaining to the room. Mohammed was told that since the building was a family accommodation and he was single, he should move in on a Friday since there is little activity around on that day. “There won’t be any problem once you are in,” he was told.

Territorial rights

The watchmen have divided their neighbourhood between them so that there are no “territorial” fights at any stage. Their network is strong and they cooperate with each other in locating vacant accommodation for a share in the commission.

For instance, Gilani was searching for a room near his office on the Passport Road.

The watchman he contacted coordinated with another watchman to help him find a room. The second watchman took them to a third watchman of a building where the room was available. The commission to be paid was a total of Dh600 shared by the watchmen, a very reasonable amount.

The watchmen also help in negotiations between a landlord and his prospective tenant and, at times, give bargaining tips to the tenant in expectation of a higher commission.

In one case, the tenant was quietly told that there was no running hot water in the bathroom, an essential in the winter season.

In another case, a watchman told the prospective tenant that he had got the rent of the room reduced from Dh1,700 to Dh1,500 per month to suit his budget and for that service, he wanted a “special commission”.

The watchmen claim thousands of dirhams if they help a person find an independent apartment or a villa. According to property agents, the annual rents of these properties range from Dh45,000 for a studio, which are very hard to find, Dh60,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and Dh150,000 for a three-bedroom apartment.

The rents slightly vary depending on the locality. The rents of villas are still higher. The watchmen would charge Dh10,000 to Dh15,000 and even more if they help find any of these.


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