SweetcHome is a new platform in the UAE that allows residents to ‘switch’ their homes for a more suitable one without breaking their contracts. The platform acts as a personalised property matchmaking service and enables people to find homes of their choice and exchange houses with others before the end of their contract. One tenant, Imen, who needed more space for her pets, successfully found a new villa through SweetcHome and also found a taker for her apartment with three months left on the contract.
Currently, under UAE laws, tenants can terminate a tenancy contract with a 60-day notice to the landlord, but they may have to pay a penalty equivalent to one or two months of rent. SweetcHome’s service is available to anyone, but the success of a switch depends on the cooperation of landlords and the ability to negotiate a deal suitable for all parties. According to co-founder Soufien Haddad, landlords often benefit from the switch as their property remains occupied and they may even earn higher revenue if the new tenant is willing to pay more.
One landlord, Patrick Narracott, had a positive experience with SweetcHome when his tenant, Imen, found a replacement and avoided the penalty for breaking the lease. The process was quick and efficient, with Patrick securing a new tenant in just three weeks, a process that usually takes three months. Co-founder Soufien Haddad was inspired to create SweetcHome based on his personal experience of living in a villa and realizing it could be perfect for families with children attending the nearby school.
Soufien, along with co-founder Amani Nahedh, founded SweetcHome in 2023 to simplify the real estate search process for expats who often face challenges finding an ideal home near work and school with each relocation. The platform has been successful in facilitating home switches for residents in the UAE, offering a convenient and efficient solution for finding a more suitable living space without the hassle of breaking contracts or incurring penalties.
