A pitfall with the 6 month "advance" is that's only an advance the first time. Let's say you start renting Jan 1, and you have to pay your rent in two cheques, Jan 1 and July 1. You apply for the advance and get it paid out in Dec expecting to get the next 6 month's lumpsum in June, in time for the July payment. You don't... it is now paid out with the July salary on July 26 so you will have to find a way to clear the cheque on July 1.
To circumvent the issue above, I've had some very kind landlords over the last 5 years. Both agreed, after the contract was signed (and I subsequently realized the problem), to accept rent payments when EK paid out the allowance at the six month interval. Both landlords were of nationalities that are sadly so often indiscriminately stereotyped in the Middle East by some. Therefore, discuss the issue with your prospective landlord and you would most likely find the "issue" above to be a non-issue.