Thanks guys.

Moudir:

1. 7000/mo FF 2-bedroom flat in Madinat Khalifa area.

2. Correct, although if I have to stay there for 3 months it's better than staying for 12! I'm about 2 weeks into it now. I just want what's best for my wife who arrives May 2.

3. No. Naive on my part indeed! I haven't rented in years (I owned back home), and at least maintenance at home was grounds for resolution if there was no upkeep.

* my contract states "2 bedroom furnished apartment or $2000/mo allowance", but I think if I ask my employer to find something it won't be to my taste (all my collegues are Indian, have children, and are also getting less allowance, so I feel bad asking).

dweller: agreed, I thought Ayman would be the first to post but I wasn't sure if there may be some lawyers on the boards as well (I must be truly naive if I think a lawyer will offer free advice to the public ;oP).

His collegue who has shown me some other flats in the past did call me shortly after my post though, so chances are he read it and asked him to call me :o)

Thanks again.