By Omar Abu Innab, CEO & Co-founder

In Dubai, the handover of a rent cheque often feels like a financial earthquake. For many tenants, it is the single largest outgoing of the year — one that empties savings accounts, spikes anxiety, and disrupts liquidity overnight. Traditional rent structures, whether annual lump sums or quarterly payments, may suit landlords, but they rarely reflect the way people actually earn and spend money. Salaries arrive monthly, bills are spread weekly, and life’s surprises never wait for cheque dates.

This mismatch does more than strain finances. It creates uncertainty and detachment. Tenants under pressure from upfront costs are less likely to renew, more likely to negotiate aggressively, and often hesitant to see their rental as a long-term home.

The Slice Effect: A Shift in Behaviour

Break the rent into twelve manageable instalments, however, and the entire psychology changes. Rent instalments in Dubai don’t just ease cash flow; they reframe how tenants view their homes. Instead of confronting a yearly burden, rent becomes a predictable routine woven into monthly salary cycles, much like utilities or car payments.

This subtle shift encourages tenants to stay longer. Not because they are tied down, but because they no longer face the stress of large financial shocks. Rent is reframed from a hurdle into a lifestyle expense, creating loyalty that landlords value. Lower turnover means fewer vacant periods, steadier income, and stronger landlord-tenant relationships.

Rent Now, Pay Later: A Quiet Revolution

Dubai’s rental market, once dominated by cheque culture, is transforming. Platforms like Keyper have introduced Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL), enabling tenants to pay monthly while landlords continue receiving rent on their preferred schedule — even upfront.

The dual benefits are striking. Tenants enjoy breathing space and improved cash flow. Landlords retain financial security and stability. Automation bridges the gap, ensuring seamless transactions. Beyond convenience, RNPL creates ripple effects: tenants channel savings into investments or lifestyle upgrades, landlords attract stronger demand, and properties offering RNPL gain a competitive edge in the market.

Trust Through Proptech

Scepticism around flexible payments is natural. Landlords often worry about defaults or unreliable tenants. Proptech innovation addresses this head-on. By embedding tenant screening, open banking, and digital KYC processes, platforms ensure that only qualified tenants gain access to instalment options.

This screening provides landlords with confidence while giving tenants a frictionless, subscription-style experience. The outcome is a healthier rental ecosystem where both sides trust the process. Properties listed with RNPL attract interest faster, lease quicker, and enjoy higher renewal rates.

More Than Money: Cultural Change in Renting

Flexible rent payments are not only about financial management — they represent a cultural shift. Tenants paying monthly are more likely to personalise their homes, join neighbourhood communities, and think long-term. They do not just occupy apartments; they build lives in them.

In a global city like Dubai, where talent continually arrives from abroad, this cultural stickiness is invaluable. By reducing churn and fostering belonging, RNPL aligns Dubai with international leasing standards. For professionals moving from cities like London or New York, monthly rent instalments feel familiar, making Dubai more competitive as a destination.

Why Instalments Mean Belonging

The shift from lump sums to instalments does more than spread payments. It changes perceptions. Tenants breathe easier when the mountain of rent is broken into smaller hills. They stay longer, invest emotionally in their homes, and engage with their communities. For landlords, this means steadier returns. For the city, it enhances financial well-being and strengthens community ties.

Cheque culture once defined Dubai’s property landscape. Today, rent instalments in Dubai — powered by RNPL — are writing a new narrative. Flexible payments bring stability, foster loyalty, and encourage tenants not just to rent, but to settle in.

Read our previous post on Ryan Acquires Dhruva Stake Expanding Middle East Presence

Dhruva, a premier tax advisory firm with deep expertise across the Middle East, India, and Asia, today announced a strategic investment by Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider. This partnership marks a significant step in Ryan’s expansion into the Middle East, India, and Asia, enhancing its ability to serve clients in high-growth markets while reinforcing its global capabilities.

As part of the transaction, US based Ryan will acquire a majority stake in Dhruva, creating a joint venture in India, Ryan’s senior leadership will join the Board of Dhruva, Partners of Dhruva will acquire equity in Ryan, ensuring long-term alignment, and Dinesh Kanabar, CEO of Dhruva Advisors, will take on the role of Vice Chairman at Ryan.­

Founded in 2014 by Dinesh Kanabar, Dhruva has rapidly grown into one of the most respected tax advisory firms in India and the UAE. With 38 partners and senior leaders, supported by over 500 professionals across 11 offices in the Middle East, India, and Singapore, Dhruva advises leading businesses across industries such as aerospace, automotive, chemicals, finance, healthcare, technology, and real estate.

“Joining Ryan is a major milestone in Dhruva’s global growth journey as this partnership extends our global reach,” said Dinesh Kanabar, Chairman and CEO of Dhruva. “My leadership team and I chose to partner with Ryan because we believe it provides the strongest platform for our clients and team members for continued success. I am encouraged by the alignment of our respective leadership teams to meet the growing needs of our multinational clients and look forward to driving that growth in my new role as Vice Chairman at Ryan.”

“This partnership with Ryan is a defining moment for Dhruva. For the Middle East, this partnership is more than just scale – it’s about combining global expertise and regional insights. Together we are not only expanding scale but also shaping the future of tax advisory in the Middle East,” said Nimish Goel, Partner and Head of Middle East at Dhruva.

“We are excited to enter into this strategic partnership with Dhruva, which gives us a client-facing presence in the Middle East for the first time. The combination of our two firms will provide clients with unrivalled service in one of the fastest-growing markets for tax advisory services in the world,” said Tom Shave, President, Europe & Asia Pacific, Ryan.

Dhruva’s services span corporate tax and regulatory advisory, M&A tax structuring, indirect tax, transfer pricing, and cross-border trade compliance.

This move builds upon Ryan’s longstanding presence in India, where the firm has operated for over two decades with a primary office in Hyderabad, while marking its first client-facing entry into the Middle East. Together, Ryan and Dhruva will now expand across the Middle East and Asia with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Singapore.

By Sara Hoteit, Regional Sales Lead, Backbase Middle East

For decades, white-glove banking in the Middle East relied on personal trust. High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and family offices turned to relationship managers (RMs) for access, expertise, and discretion. However, today’s digital-first generation of clients is inheriting wealth, and they expect faster, more transparent, and more personalised service than traditional models can deliver.

Why are younger clients walking away?

Recent surveys show a dramatic shift. Capgemini reports that 81% of affluent heirs plan to change their wealth managers. The reason is not a lack of expertise, but dissatisfaction with slow, opaque, and disconnected experiences.

Traditional private banking often resembles a black box: clients see limited transparency, receive quarterly reports, and rely on infrequent meetings. In contrast, new generations want data, control, and insights at their fingertips. EY research confirms this gap, noting that only 7% of Gen Z trust bank advisers for financial guidance. Digital-first wealth platforms like Sarwa and StashAway are stepping in to meet these demands.

The human role in private banking

Despite this shift, the human element remains essential. Relationship managers still play a critical role in building trust and offering tailored advice. However, many spend most of their time on administrative tasks rather than client-facing work. McKinsey estimates up to 70% of RM time goes to back-office processes.

For banks, the solution lies in rethinking the role of advisers and empowering them with technology that eliminates inefficiencies while elevating client engagement.

Digital tools that elevate wealth management

Digitisation should enhance, not replace, personal service. Clients now expect customisable dashboards that reflect estate planning, performance analytics, or ESG-focused investments. Both advisers and clients benefit when these tools deliver real-time insights that support collaboration.

In addition, clients want flexible access to their advisers. EY notes that 85% still value personal advice, but they prefer it delivered on their terms—through secure chat, video calls, or collaborative digital platforms.

How AI empowers relationship managers

Technology can give RMs the edge they need. AI tools identify risks, recommend diversification, and flag liquidity needs. When embedded in RM workspaces, these insights keep advice timely and proactive.

Automation further reduces administrative work, allowing advisers to spend more time building meaningful client relationships. This shift restores the core value of wealth management: trust, loyalty, and personalised advice.

From products to financial journeys

Wealthy clients no longer want just products; they want holistic support. They expect advisers to guide them through succession planning, family governance, philanthropy, and alternative investments. Global disruptors like Robinhood proved how fast expectations can change, and regional players such as Baraka are echoing this trend.

Reinventing the white-glove model

Private banking is not obsolete, but it must adapt. Banks that reinvent white-glove banking for digital-first clients will combine AI-driven efficiency with human empathy. By empowering advisers, streamlining processes, and blending digital convenience with trust, banks can keep this premium model relevant.

In the end, successful institutions will prove that strong relationships, enhanced by smart technology, remain the most valuable currency in wealth management.

Check out our previous post on Sobha Realty Green Sukuk marks $750m milestone