Sharing Warehouse for Rent in Dubai
Cut your overheads by up to 60%. The smart choice for Startups, E-commerce, and SMEs. Access premium locations like Al Quoz and DIP without the premium price tag by splitting costs with compatible business partners.
Real talk: It's cheaper, but it requires trust. We help you find the right "Warehouse Mate" and navigate the legalities of subleasing.
Hotspots for Shared Warehousing
Where to find businesses willing to split space.
Ras Al Khor
AED 25-35 / sqft
Old School Sharing
The hub of informal sharing. Older units, huge spaces. Common to find 4-5 small traders sharing one 10k sqft shed. Great for furniture & auto parts.
⚠️ Real Risk:
High risk of 'handshake deals' without paper. Be careful.
Al Quoz 3 & 4
AED 45-65 / sqft
Trendy Co-Warehousing
More structured. Creative businesses, event companies, and boutique trading. Often partitioned with high-quality mesh or drywall.
⚠️ Real Risk:
Expensive. Parking wars are common between tenants.
Dubai Inv. Park (DIP)
AED 30-40 / sqft
Logistics Pooling
Ideal for pallet storage. Companies often share large insulated warehouses to split the massive AC bill. Very common for FMCG.
⚠️ Real Risk:
Strict gate access rules can complicate sharing cards.
Jebel Ali Ind.
AED 20-30 / sqft
Heavy Industrial Share
Sharing large open yards or high-power sheds. Often shared between fabricators or construction companies.
⚠️ Real Risk:
Dust and noise. Not for delicate goods.
The "Roommate" Reality Check
Sharing a warehouse is like having a roommate. It saves money, but needs boundaries.
| The Scenario | The Dream (Pro) | The Reality (Con) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Rent | Paying AED 3,000 instead of AED 10,000 significantly boosts cash flow. | If your partner pays late, the landlord locks the gate on BOTH of you. |
| Utilities (DEWA) | Splitting the massive summer AC bill in half. | Fighting because they leave the AC on 24/7 and you don't. |
| Loading Bay | Access to a dock you couldn't afford alone. | Their delivery truck blocking your shipment for 3 hours. |
| Security | Always someone around, so it feels safer. | You don't know their staff. Theft risk increases with more strangers. |
| Expansion | Flexible—take another corner if they leave. | Trapped. You can't expand unless they leave. Zero flex. |
| Legal | Easier entry, fewer cheques required. | Your trade license might rely on their main lease validity. |
How to Share Without Suffering
Protips from businesses who have made shared warehousing work.
The Wire Mesh Wall
Don't rely on painted lines on the floor. 'Creep' happens—boxes slowly move into your space. Install a floor-to-ceiling wire mesh partition with a lockable door. It defines boundaries physically and stops theft.
Sub-Meters for Peace
Install an electrical sub-meter for your section (approx AED 2000). It ends all arguments about who used more power. Pay exactly for what you use.
The 'Pallet Jack' Treaty
If you share equipment, buy it jointly or pay a rental fee to the owner. Document who fixes it when wheels break. 'Borrowing' breaks friendships; 'Renting' keeps them professional.
Separate Liability Insurance
Don't assume their insurance covers your stock. It doesn't. Get your own 'Contents Insurance' that specifies the location is shared. Take photos of your secure partition for the insurer.
Key Control Protocol
Only one person from each company should have the main gate key. Install a smart lock or keep a logbook. If the warehouse is left unlocked, you need to know who was last out.
3-Month Exit Clause
Things change. Don't lock into a rigid 1-year share without an escape hatch. Include a clause: '3 months notice to vacate/terminate'. It gives you flexibility if the relationship sours.
The "Warehouse Mate" Interview
Before you sign, ask your potential sharing partner these hard questions.
Operational Questions
- What are your working hours? (Do they match yours?)
- How many staff will be on-site daily?
- What exactly are you storing? (Avoid flammables/smells)
- How many deliveries do you receive per week?
- Do you need forklift access?
- Will you have customers visiting the site?
- Who is your PRO/Contact person for emergencies?
Deal Breakers
- They refuse to show the main Tenancy Contract
- They want cash only (no cheques/transfers)
- The warehouse is visibly disorganized or dirty
- They are reluctant to put the agreement in writing
- They don't have their own specific trade license for the site
- They want to keep a 'spare key' to your partition
- Utilities are already cut off or overdue
Alternatives to Sharing
If sharing sounds too complicated, check these options.
Shared Warehouse FAQ
The nitty-gritty details of sharing industrial space in Dubai.
What happens if the main tenant cancels their lease?
This is the biggest risk. If the 'head tenant' leaves or defaults, your sublease might be void. Solution: Ensure your contract has a clause acknowledging your right to stay or transition to a direct lease with the landlord.
Can we share a forklift and pallet jack?
Yes, and it saves money. However, create a 'Usage Log' and a 'Damage Agreement'. If the forklift breaks, who pays? Usually, maintenance is shared, but repairs for misuse are on the user.
How do we handle loading bay scheduling?
Conflict happens when both tenants have 40ft containers arriving at 9 AM. Use a shared Google Calendar for booking the loading bay. Agreement: First booked, first served.
Is partitioning expensive?
Permanent walls are pricey (AED 15-20k). Wire mesh fencing is the standard 'authentic' solution in Dubai shared warehouses—it keeps stock secure, allows air flow (AC), and is cheaper (AED 3-5k) to install and remove.
What if my warehouse-mate is storing illegal goods?
You are at risk if the police raid the premises. Protect yourself: Include a clause in your agreement explicitly banning illegal/hazardous goods and demanding the right to inspect partitions periodically.
How much deposit should I pay for a shared space?
Typically 1-2 months' rent. Never pay the full year upfront to a head tenant unless they are a reputable logistics company. There have been scams where head tenants collect rent and vanish.
Can I operate 24/7 in a shared warehouse?
Only if agreed. If the other tenant locks the main gate at 6 PM and takes the key, you're stuck. Clarify access hours and key copies in writing before moving in.
Who is responsible for cleaning common areas?
It usually falls to nobody and gets dirty. Hire a third-party cleaner for 2 hours a week and split the cost (approx AED 200/month each). It prevents arguments about dusty loading bays.
Does civil defense approval cover the whole warehouse or just parts?
The whole unit must be compliant. If your partner blocks a fire exit with their boxes, YOU can be fined or shut down too. Joint liability is real.
Is 'Co-Warehousing' different from sharing?
Yes. Co-warehousing (like WeWork for storage) is professionally managed with separate contracts. 'Sharing' usually means an informal agreement between two companies. Co-warehousing is safer but 20-30% more expensive.
Can I upgrade my space if I grow?
In a shared setup, only if your neighbor shrinks! Flexibility is actually lower than renting your own unit unless you move to a professional 3PL facility with dynamic storage.
What about insurance?
Your general insurance won't automatically cover goods in a shared space due to 'third party access' risks. You need a policy that specifically notes the shared nature of the facility.
Are toilets shared?
Almost always. It sounds minor, but verify who supplies the soap and toilet paper. It's the #1 source of petty friction in shared warehouses.
Can I put my signboard outside?
Usually only the head tenant has the main signage rights. You might get a small plaque. If branding is critical for you, a shared warehouse might not be the right fit.
What defines a 'demised premise' in our contract?
It's the technical term for 'your specific spot'. Ensure your contract includes a floor plan with your area highlighted in RED. 'Approx 2000 sqft' is not enough legally.