My Dubai Rent: Cat rescuers offer sanctuary in their Dh92,700 a year Barsha home

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Cat-lovers Chris Howlett and his wife rent an apartment in Dubai’s Al Barsha 1 community, which they say gives them space to indulge their passion for rescuing pets.

The couple share their two-bedroom home with three cats of their own and occasionally other felines as and when they come along and need help.

Mr Howlett, 43, a senior graphic designer who has been in the UAE for 16 years, and his wife, a drama and public-speaking tutor, pay Dh92,700 a year to rent the property.

Mr Howlett, who is originally from Birmingham, England, showed The National around.

Please tell us about the home

It is a two-bed apartment, with two bathrooms, one toilet room and two balconies.

It is an Al Ghurair-managed building, so we don’t pay agent fees when renting as it's rented directly from the owners. We have been here for just over two years, having previously lived in a two-bedroom apartment in The Greens.

Why did you choose this place?

The size of the rooms is great for the cost, and the building is only a few years old, so it is in good condition. All maintenance is covered in the rental fee, so we have no issues with any problems being fixed in the apartment.

We have access to a great gym with new machines and workout areas, and a swimming pool on the roof that is also a good size, and there is plenty of space for sunbathing and relaxing.

We like the location. The Al Barsha 1 area has access to main roads for easy travel to different parts of the city.