COULD YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU STARTED ROOM AND MATES SHARING ACCOMMODATIONS?
I moved to Dubai in 2019 to start my own venture. I have always had a fascination for start-ups and a keen liking for building them from the ground up. Launched 2 years ago, Room and Mates, my business venture, has stayed loyal to our guests and has continued to grow. It stands as the top rental property management company in UAE, to help you move in and start living.
WHY DID YOU START THIS COMPANY?
I came across an incident once where one of my employees was evicted from their housing quarters and came to me for help. I eventually found out that most of my employees in my company were living in sub-standard shared accommodations and were being treated badly, as they had no good choices.Â
As I saw the partitioned spaces and the poor facilities they were residing in, I made it my mission to research and find out the reason for the lack of good bed spaces that were comfortable to live in and weren’t overcrowded.Â
After a quick market watch, I realized that there was a massive shortage of sharing accommodations that are comfortable, and in compliance with Dubai laws. We abide by article 24 of law no.26 of 2007 of the UAE, which stipulates the regulations of shared accommodations.
The fact that Dubai is a rapidly growing city, that constantly tries to facilitate expats made this dream of mine, more realistic.
TELLS US ABOUT THE PROJECT THAT FORCED YOU TO BE INNOVATIVE & CREATIVE.
As a tight-knit community, we held frequent social gatherings and parties with lots of fun and presents. We never forget to entice our Guests with gift cards & chocolate boxes on their auspicious day to express our gratitude.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BIGGEST STRENGTH OF YOUR COMPANY RIGHT NOW?
Our biggest strength is that we are truly loved by our guests. We are gifted with a very talented team who makes sure our shared bed spaces are the best in UAE. More than 67% of guests are long-term residents staying with us for more than a year, and we continually strive to accommodate their requests. We receive monthly feedback and ensure that our guests are having the best experience.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU’VE HAD TO OVERCOME?
One of the biggest challenges we have encountered is changing the stigma around sharing living in Dubai. At least 93% of people who have ever lived in shared living could share a bad experience. We want people to know that we are different and that we care for our guests. We intend to set the right standard for shared bed space in Dubai
HOWÂ WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE SENTENCE?
I always believe that one’s mission and vision are greater than oneself and that’s the kind of person I wish to be every day of my life.Â
AND ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU THE BEST?
Disciplined
WHAT MAKES YOU EXCITED ABOUT MONDAYS?
It makes me feel great to get back to the office after the weekend and spend time with my team, checking how we have ensured the safety and comfort of our guests and planning how to serve them better. I love listening to our guest’s stories and making sure our bed spaces feel like your home away from home.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST ABOUT YOUR VISION?
We value the experience each of our guests has in our living accommodation. My goal is to make it possible for you to show up and just start living. Through our extensive experience in setting up and providing fully-equipped and beautifully-furnished apartments under flexible leases, we help you save time and money on the process of finding, furnishing, and setting up your dream living space.
We provide dedicated support for each apartment so that you can enjoy peace of mind from the moment you check-in.
WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIES OF YOUR COMPANY, AND HOW ARE YOU UNIQUE?
Our company is the first to offer property-managed bed space at a fraction of the cost of owning an apartment in the UAE, by up to more than 50%. We are constantly resourcing and finding innovative things to introduce to Room & Mates. We pre-qualify all our guests to ensure the safety of all existing or new guests.Â
The quiet ambiance and privacy that our guests enjoy are what sets us apart from other living accommodations in Dubai. Our buildings are equipped with security 24/7 and are regularly maintained.
WHAT ARE THE KEY VALUES THAT HELP YOU OVERCOME CHALLENGES?
During Covid-19, we went through dramatic times and many of our guests lost their jobs. However, I made it my mission to keep our guest’s dreams alive. To make sure none of my 350-plus guests were evicted for nonpayment, I restructured the entire rental plan, to alleviate their stress and give them time to find new jobs.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THIS YEAR?
Our goal as a company is to grow by 30% this year. We want to provide expats with an option to live in a community where they can have a voice. We believe in helping people live their best with a like-minded community. Â
HOW DO YOU SEE THE COMPANY IN 2 YEARS?
As Dubai is becoming more open and welcoming to the expat community, by providing stay-back opportunities, Golden Visas, and more friendly educational reforms aimed at continuing education for the children of the expatriate community, I see more opportunities in providing shared living spaces at affordable pricing for individuals or couples.
WHAT SERVICES OR PRODUCTS DOES YOUR COMPANY OFFER?
All our beds are roomy king singles, only 2 people per master room with an attached ensuite.Â
Our unique features include:
- Dual washing machines and dryersÂ
- Free filtered water with a dispenser
- Regular monthly maintenance checks
- Regular inspections of guests’ behavior
- Routine Pest Control
- Shared gymsÂ
- Swimming pool
- New kitchen equipment
- Free wifi
- 24/7 on-call property manager.
We also offer free Netflix subscriptions to all our guests
WHO WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN A HUGE CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS VENTURE OF ROOM AND MATES?
I would say it’s Saif. With over 15 years of real estate experience in property management, his contribution to Room and Mates has been greatly appreciated. As the Company Director, he validates all the services that Room and Mates provide to guests. With an exceptional experience in real estate project management, Saif is paving the way for a brighter future for Room and Mates.
He helps us stay ahead of the race by incorporating exceptional ideas into the company and providing valuable services to the clients. His ideas and strategies have inspired us a lot.
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