Rent
You're doing well if you secure housing with only 6 months advance. More often it's 12 months in advance and no way of getting your money back if everything goes pear shaped for you. Add to that the 'agent' you use will probably be looking at anything up to 10% commission for 'finding' you the right place!
Would be surprised though if there was no company support at the very least many give their employees an interest free 'advance' to pay upfront for accommodation, monthly amount then taken directly from your pay packet. Still offers you no protection if everything goes pear shaped as your company will then take every Dirham back that you owe them before they give you the permission to leave! (be careful here as the agreement is between you and the provider of the accommodation and not between your employer and the provider, your employer will chase you for repayment) either way the owner of the accommodation normally laughs all the way to the bank, again and again and again!
'rock and a hard place' comes to mind!
Only way out of it is to join a carrier that supplies 'tied' accommodation. I believe Etihad are developing a huge employee village just minutes ffrom their new HQ in AUH.