Some residents have relocated to nearby neighbourhoods with better road connectivity, while others are planning to search for new homes after returning from their summer holidays.
Landlords in some parts of Sharjah are cutting rents and offering a free month’s stay during the summer, as property agents say ongoing roadworks and the holiday season have temporarily weakened demand in certain areas.
Buildings around Al Taawun Roundabout and Al Khan have been particularly affected, with some residents moving to neighbourhoods that offer easier road access, agents said.
A review of property listings shows that several apartments in Al Taawun and Al Khan are now being offered at reduced rents compared with earlier this year. Agents said these units are available for immediate move-in, with some landlords providing a one-month rent-free offer to attract tenants.
Property agents say the Sharjah rental market has softened temporarily due to ongoing roadworks affecting access to some buildings and the annual summer holiday period, when many residents travel abroad.
“Buildings closest to Al Taawun Roundabout are seeing the biggest impact,” said Asif K, a Sharjah-based real estate agent.
He said many prospective tenants are now asking about the roadworks and their expected completion timeline before deciding whether to move. While some have delayed their plans, others have opted for nearby areas with better connectivity. To reduce vacancy periods, some landlords have responded by offering more flexible rents and one-month rent-free incentives.
However, agents stressed that demand has not disappeared but has shifted temporarily. Some residents who had planned to move to Al Khan and Al Taawun are choosing alternative neighbourhoods until construction work is completed. Agents expect many of these tenants to return once road access improves.
Mohammed D from Rukn Al Nakheel Real Estate said the timing of the roadworks has helped limit disruption, as many residents are already away during the summer break.
“If the same work had started after schools reopened, the disruption would have been much greater. We expect demand to improve once families return after the holidays,” he said.
Building security staff have also reported an increase in vacant apartments during the summer months. One security guard said some families who travelled abroad have moved out temporarily and plan to search for new homes after returning in September.
Others have chosen to avoid moving their belongings during the roadworks. “Some families don’t want to move all their furniture because of the difficulty of bringing moving trucks into the area,” the guard said.
Instead, some groups of relatives and friends have opted to share one apartment and split the rent while keeping their belongings together, which they say is more affordable than renting separate homes or paying for storage.
Another security guard said such arrangements have become more common in recent weeks, with some apartments left vacant after tenants moved to areas with easier road access, while others are being used mainly to store furniture. Many families are waiting until after the summer holidays to decide their long-term housing plans based on the progress of the roadworks.
