Yes, any person of any nationality, whether they are a resident of Dubai or based abroad, can purchase property in Dubai’s freehold market. You are not required to hold any type of residency or similar permit in order to purchase property.

The Legal Steps To Buy a Property in Dubai

There are 4 legal steps involved in buying a property in Dubai. You should follow these steps for a successful real estate purchase. 

1 – Agree The Terms Of Sale

Once you have found your ideal property in Dubai, it is time to begin negotiations with the seller to agree the terms of the sale. It is strongly recommended that you use a qualified real estate agent because they will negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you get the best deal. At this stage you should agree on the purchase price, payment method (whether it will be a cash purchase or using a mortgage) and other important details like whether any furniture is included in the sale, to avoid any problems further down the line. 

2 – Sign The Memorandum of Understanding

With all the key terms agreed, it’s time to sign a Form F, which is also known as the Memorandum Of Understanding. This document can be obtained from the official website of the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This document will be used as the basis of the contract, but it can be amended to include the buyer and/or seller’s own terms. If you are new to the Dubai real estate market, or there are complexities to the sale, then using a conveyancer can be a good idea to ensure that the agreement is legally compliant and has your best interests in mind. 

Once the Form F is finalised, it should be signed by both the buyer and seller in front of a witness. This is usually done at the Registration Trustee’s office. At the time of signing, you should pay a standard 10% security deposit on the property, which is returned to you once the property transfer is complete. 

3 – Applying For NOC From the Developer

After signing the MOU, it is necessary to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer. The buyer, seller, and real estate agent need to meet at the developer’s office. This document will confirm that there are no outstanding service charge payments due on the property.

4 – Transferring Ownership At DLD Office

Now, both parties need to go to the Dubai Land Department office to transfer the ownership of the property. Before visiting the DLD office, make sure you have the following documents ready:

• A cheque for the property price, payable to the seller
• The original identification documents of the buyer and seller (Emirates ID, passport)
• The original NOC issued by the developer
• Signed Form F (MOU)

The transfer of the property is done is a few short steps:

1. Submission of the above documents
2. The data is verified
3. Payment of the necessary fees (outlined below)
4. Confirmation received by email and new title deed issued

The transfer can take place in a single day, with a confirmation email sent to the buyer as well as the issuance of a new title deed in their name to confirm that they are the new owner. 

The costs and additional fees associated with the purchase of the property in Dubai are given below:

DLD Fees

When buying a property, there is a DLD fee to be paid, which is usually paid by the buyer. This fee is 4% of the purchase price plus AED 580. 

Registration Fees

For properties under AED 500,000, there is a registration fee of AED 2000 + 5% VAT. For properties where the purchase price is over 500,000, the registration fee is AED 4000 + 5% VAT.

Mortgage Registration Fees

If you are purchasing the property using a mortgage then there is a mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount + AED 290.

Agent Fees

A qualified real estate agent will typically charge a fee of 2% of the purchase price + 5% VAT.

Conveyancing Fees

Using a conveyancer is recommended to ensure a smooth and legally compliant transaction. Conveyancing fees range from AED 6000-10,000. 

NOC fees

NOC fees vary depending on the developer but typically cost from AED 500 to AED 5000. 

The regulations, governing the relationship between the landlord and the tenant, are defined in Law No. 26 of 2007. As per the law, any property owner in Dubai can rent out their unit. Usually, the rental period is one year (extensions are possible).
A property owner can appoint a licensed management company to manage his/her property, in which case the firm bears all responsibility of communicating with the tenant.

The average net income (after paying the service charge) is 5%-10% per year, depending on the type of property, geographical location or service charge price. The more exclusive and expensive properties usually bring in less rental income in percentage even though the rent is higher.

You will need to apply for a mortgage through one of the banks in the UAE. Mortgage registration charges payable to the DLD amount to 0.25 per cent of the loan value, plus AED 290 as a standard charge.
The following documents are typically required for UAE residents to receive mortgage approval:
– Passport and visa copy of the purchaser.
– Copy of Emirates ID.
– Proof of current address such as Ejari and Dewa bill.
– Salary certificates or evidence of regular income.
– Bank account statements for three to six months, which reflect the corresponding salary credit.
– MoU for the sale of the property.
– Title deed of the property to be purchased.
– Seller’s passport copy.
– No Objection Certificate from the developer.

The United Arab Emirates is a tax-less country so there are no taxes on property or on any income generated off it. However, the property owner is responsible for the annual maintenance fee and service charge payments, which need to be made to the management company hired by the owner’s association. Payments are made from between one to four times a year at an average price of AED10-AED30 per sq.ft, depending on the project and services included.

The UAE government implemented a landmark policy by introducing value-added tax (VAT) at a rate of five per cent, effective from January 1st, 2018.
The VAT law states that all real estate transactions, apart from the sale of vacant commercial properties and commercial property leases, are either not subject to or exempt from the tax.
In other words, there is no VAT charged on the rent for residential accommodation. However, it is possible that a residential tenant benefits from other services – either included in the rental agreement or in addition to the agreement – that are subject to VAT.

“Freehold property refers to the type of property purchase, where the buyer owns the plot as well as the unit. He/She is the landowner and has the title deed under his name. An heir can inherit a freehold property from the title deed holder. The owner of a freehold property is entitled to lease, occupy or sell his/her property. The owner can use the property for any purpose as long as it is in accordance with the local rules and regulations.
Freehold properties were introduced here to encourage foreign investment in Dubai and the most popular freehold areas for expats to purchase property, include Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Al Barsha, and Palm Jumeirah. “

Freehold means complete ownership of the property by the buyer who will have his name on the title deed. Whereas leasehold refers to having the property on lease for a period of more than 10 years and up to 99 years. It cannot be bought completely.

The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) is a government entity tasked with overseeing the real estate industry in Dubai under the Dubai Land Department. Serving as the primary authority, RERA was established on July 31, 2007, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai. 

This regulatory body plays a crucial role in governing and regulating the real estate market, settling disputes between tenants and landlords, ensuring fair practices, and protecting the rights of everyone involved in real estate transactions.

RERA has been instrumental in revolutionising Dubai’s real estate sector through a series of pioneering initiatives. These include:

Dubai Brokers App

An application empowering licensed brokers to list properties, manage clients, access RERA services, and conduct transactions securely and transparently. It provides access to registered real estate offices in Dubai and up-to-date information on licensed real estate brokers. 

No Objection Certificate (NOC) Initiative

Protecting investors by mandating developers to secure a NOC from RERA before selling off-plan properties, ensuring project viability and necessary approvals.

Trakheesi System

An online platform facilitating the registration and regulation of real estate brokers and developers, offering a streamlined process for license and permit applications.

Service Charge Index

Providing transparency in service charges, RERA publishes an annual report detailing charges for various properties, aiding investors in making informed decisions.

Ejari System

An online system for registering rental contracts, ensuring legal compliance and providing a platform for dispute resolution. According to Article 4 of Law (33) of 2008, all rental contracts, whether started by landlords or tenants, must be registered with RERA using the ‘Ejari‘ system. This ensures that each property is leased separately, avoiding conflicts from dual leasing and protecting everyone’s rights.

Dubai REST App

A real-time data platform offering comprehensive information for property buyers and sellers, including property search, NOC services, and broker registration.

Smart Investment Map (SIM)

The Smart Investment Map (SIM) serves as a digital platform designed to showcase and explore available properties for sale and rent in Dubai. Whether you’re in the market to purchase an apartment or seeking to rent a villa, SIM provides a user-friendly interface. The platform incorporates various e-services, enabling users to select properties, engage with property owners, and conduct online transactions with ease.  It also provides investors with real-time data on market trends and regulatory updates. 

Smart Judge Service

An efficient alternative to traditional legal proceedings for resolving real estate disputes related to real estate like property sales, leasing, and maintenance. This service allows a customer to obtain free legal advice known as the rights of parties of the tenancy relationship before initiating the case.

Rental Index

Guidelines on maximum rent charges for residential and commercial properties, aiding landlords, tenants, and property management companies in determining fair market rent.

The RERA Rent Calculator can be used to tell you whether your landlord is allowed to increase your rent at the point of renewal. To determine the amount by which your landlord can increase your rent in Dubai, you can use the RERA Calculator which is available online. The process is simple, you just need to follow these steps:

1. Go to the Dubai Land Department’s website.
2. Choose ‘Rental Calculator‘ on the RERA Dubai calculator section from the homepage to access the service.
3. Complete the necessary fields and click on the calculate option.
4. The rent calculator will now show you how much the landlord is allowed to increase the rent. 

The RERA Calculator will give you the option to download a PDF of the search result, which can be very useful for showing your landlord, should they try to increase the rent by too much. For more information about what to do if your landlord tries to increase the rent by more than they are allowed, see our blog post: Can my landlord increase my rent? 

Freehold means complete ownership of the property by the buyer who will have his name on the title deed. Whereas leasehold refers to having the property on lease for a period of more than 10 years and up to 99 years. It cannot be bought completely.

RERA has created a number of forms to simplify and ensure consistency in real estate transactions. These include: 

• Form A – Agency Contract Agreement/Listing Form: Outlines terms between real estate agents and property owners/sellers.
• Form B – Buyer’s Agent Agreement: Defines terms between real estate agents and property buyers.
• Form F – Contract of Sale (Memorandum of Understanding): Agreed terms between seller and buyer, crucial in property purchases.
• Form I – Agency Agreement: Ensures a professional relationship among multiple agents in a transaction.
• Form U – Notice of Cancellation of Agreement: Legally recognized form for terminating agreements with brokers.

Freehold means complete ownership of the property by the buyer who will have his name on the title deed. Whereas leasehold refers to having the property on lease for a period of more than 10 years and up to 99 years. It cannot be bought completely.

Dubai Land Department is the sole legally authorised entity to register and document all real estate transactions. This is done through an electronic system (e-register) dedicated to this purpose, in accordance with DLD’s specific procedures and based on certain documents and papers.

The transactions undertaken by real estate developers are recorded through the developers’ self-registration system. For the rest of the transactions, owners or their representatives, based on an official power of attorney, and the presence of the parties at the Real Estate Registration Trustee centres located in different regions across Dubai.

Under the Real Estate Registration Law, the right to own properties in Dubai is divided into:

• Ownership across all regions by Emirati or GCC citizens, for their companies whose shares they own in full, and joint public companies.
• Foreign ownership in freehold areas.

Properties and real estate units for non-UAE citizens may be registered in the areas specified by His Highness the Ruler of Dubai in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 7 of 2006 on real estate registration. The properties in such areas may be registered in the names of companies owned by non-UAE citizens provided that such companies are registered in one of Dubai free zones or any of the other emirates as per memorandums of understanding concluded thereof.

Any power of attorney issued outside the UAE must be formally ratified to be accepted for completing the actions or transactions at the DLD, through ratifying the same by the notary public and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country of origin, as well as the UAE Embassy in the country of origin, and finally the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.

A manager’s cheque is a cheque issued by the UAE bank itself, as opposed to a personal cheque issued by an individual. The funds for the cheque are withdrawn from the account of the person requesting the cheque, and the bank guarantees the payment to the recipient.

When buying property in Dubai, it is common for buyers to use manager’s cheques to pay for the down payment or the full amount. The cheque is issued by the bank and guarantees payment to the seller. It is equivalent to cash and can be cashed at the same bank and branch where it was drawn.

Yes, it is possible to buy properties in Dubai with cryptocurrency. Dubai has become a popular destination for crypto investors.

The thriving metropolis of Dubai in the UAE has long been deemed a crypto-friendly city. Some describe the UAE as the most crypto-friendly country.

What’s more, there is zero tax to pay on cryptocurrency trading in the UAE, as well as zero income or capital gains tax. This combination has made the Middle Eastern country massively attractive to cryptocurrency and blockchain companies and the users of these technologies. There are many UAE crypto traders and plenty of crypto investment options in the UAE.

But is it legal to buy Bitcoin in Dubai? Dubai and the UAE have some regulations on cryptocurrencies, including policies to protect investors. Cryptocurrencies are not licensed or recognized as legal tender; however, there are no laws against buying Bitcoin in the UAE or owning or trading Bitcoin or other crypto.

Buying Bitcoin in Dubai and anywhere in the UAE is quite straightforward; it starts with choosing a crypto exchange, registering and creating an account, and then adding the funds needed to buy the cryptocurrency of choice.

Bitcoin is available on any exchange, and other leading cryptocurrencies are available on most major exchanges. Investors who plan to hold on to Bitcoin usually want to move their Bitcoin away from an exchange into a Bitcoin wallet or to more secure Bitcoin storage like a hardware wallet. Let’s look at the steps to buying Bitcoin in the United Arab Emirates:

Buying off the plan means signing a contract to purchase a property that is yet to be built. For potential investors wanting to invest in off plan projects in Dubai, it is an affordable option as compared to buying the constructed property which is more expensive. Real estate in Dubai attracts serious investors from all over the world.

Residential off plan purchase means entering the buying agreement to purchase a property before it is built. The process involves signing a contract for sale, paying an initial deposit and making the balance payment upon completion of construction. Purchasing an off plan Dubai property can get you better rates and you are eligible for concession on stamp duty subject to government regulations.

The conditions in the contract determine how you can sell off plan property. Some developers bar you from selling off plan properties before completion or place restrictions on its sale. Off plan properties can be sold before completion if there are debts to be paid or if you have lost a source of income. If you have invested in off plan Dubai property it is recommended to avail the services of an experienced lawyer who can explain the terms and conditions of the contract and make it more flexible to meet your requirements.

It is possible to sell off the plan property before settlement if you have signed an unconditional contract that allows your property to be re-sold. You must read the final contract carefully as some developers place restrictions on reselling off the plan property before settlement. Off plan projects come with a fair amount of risk and potential benefits for investors. It is advisable to get the contract checked by an experienced lawyer before signing as any restrictions on resale are mentioned in the special conditions section.

A. You will need to apply for a mortgage through one of the banks in the UAE. Mortgage registration charges payable to the DLD amount to 0.25 per cent of the loan value, plus AED 290 as a standard charge.
The following documents are typically required for UAE residents to receive mortgage approval:

• Passport and visa copy of the purchaser.
• Copy of Emirates ID.
• Proof of current address such as Ejari and Dewa bill.
• Salary certificates or evidence of regular income.
• Bank account statements for three to six months, which reflect the corresponding salary credit.
• MoU for the sale of the property.
• Title deed of the property to be purchased.
• Seller’s passport copy.
• No Objection Certificate from the developer.

A. If you are unable to complete the payment of your off-plan property, then the developer has the following rights:

• If 80% of the construction is complete, the developer may keep all the money received from the buyer and sell the unit in Public Auction to recover the payments or the developer may deduct more than 40% of purchase price and cancel the contract.
• If 60% of the construction is complete, the developer may deduct 40% of purchase price and cancel the contract.
• If construction has started but hasn’t reached 60%, the developer can deduct 25% of purchase price and cancel the contract.
• If circumstances arise outside of the developer’s control that prevent the completion of construction, the developer is entitled to deduct 30% of the purchase price and cancel the contract.

A. The online real estate portal, Property Finder Group, has developed a free tool for people to be able to calculate the cost of property value in Dubai.
The Rent vs Buy Calculator provides a simple breakdown and analysis of the estimated costs and how much investors can save down the line if they were to purchase property versus renting. You will need to submit your own monthly rent, the price of the property you are interested in, and the number of years you plan on living in the property for the calculation. It also factors in additional fees such as Dubai Land Department fees and VAT charges.
Link to the Rent vs Buy Calculator.

A. There is no VAT charged on the rent for residential accommodation. However, it is possible that other services are subject to VAT and is either included in the rental agreement. This includes utilities or cooling fees and parking space fees.

Here is the division of transfer and registration fees associated with purchasing a property in Dubai:

• DLD fees = 4% of the property price + admin fees (AED 580 for apartments and offices, AED 40 for off-plan)
• Registration fees for properties valued below AED 500,000 = AED 2000 + 5% VAT
• Registration fees for properties valued above AED 500,000 = AED 4000 + 5% VAT
• Mortgage registration fees Dubai Land Department = Up to 0.25% of loan amount + AED 290
• Property service charges –  Charged on a square foot basis, ranging anywhere between AED 3 to AED 30 or more.

Here are the documents you’ll need to secure if you’re planning to buy a property in UAE:

• A copy of the sale and purchase contract
• A copy of a valid Emirates ID
• A copy of a valid passport for non-residents

No, the reservation fee is not refundable.

DLD is the abbreviation for Dubai Land Department. It is the regulatory body by the government that deals with all property and real estate related legislation, organisation, and services for any real estate transactions in Dubai.

For Individual, tenant should have a valid passport and Residence Visa copy (Original copies of these documents should be shown by the tenant to the Property Broker).

For Corporate Tenant, a valid Trade License, General Manager’s Passport Copy(if he is signing the the Agreement) and valid passport of the Occupant.

Yes, a tenant can use a third party cheque provided they will be submitting a Letter of Indemnity from the Third Party and a passport or Trade License if it is a Company Cheque

Rent Increase Calculator is available in the website of Land Department, it will provide you the current market price and the percentage of increase that can be applied in the Annual Rent of the property. You can go to this link:   http://www.dubailand.gov.ae/english/Tanzeem/Rentals/Rental_Increase_Calculator.aspx

Waiver of Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration fees is a common offer available from developers. DLD Fee is a 4% of property purchase price, plus an AED 580 admin fee. So DLD Waiver means that buyer will not have pay this fee, instead the developer will pay. Sometimes the developers offer anywere from 50% to 100% off on DLD fees, which means the buyer has to pay the rest of the fees, if required.

Oqood, which loosely translates to ‘contracts’ in Arabic, is an online service provided to the developers by Emirates Real Estate Solutions (ERES), with an aim of easing the registration process for property buyers and developers.

It can if it is registered within the specified areas for foreign ownership with obtaining  license for Jafza, Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Makani number a unique 10 digit number that enables to locate building or any other property. The number is given to each building and every location. It helps all residents and tourists to search, and locate places desired destinations by navigational devices.

There is also an application developed by the Dubai Municipality. Dubai is the first city in the world to use these unique numbers to exactly locate building’s entrance(s).

The real estate escrow account is a bank account of a real estate project in which the amounts collected from purchasers for the units sold off the plan (on the map) or from the financiers of the project are deposited.

The escrow account aims to regulate the building and construction processes of the units sold on the map guaranteeing investors’ rights. The provisions of the law apply to the developers (all real estate developers in Dubai, without exception), who will sell real estates on the map of the projects in the Emirate of Dubai and, in return, receive payments from the purchasers or financiers.

You can do so by visiting Dubai Land Department’s website – Real Estate Regulation – Tracking the status of projects.

The escrow account law applies to all real estate developers working in Dubai and those who sell units off-plan, and, in return, receive payments from purchasers or investors as well as from the financiers of the project.

The escrow account law applies to all real estate developers working in Dubai and those who sell units off-plan, and, in return, receive payments from purchasers or investors as well as from the financiers of the project.

You can contact the Real Estate Escrow Account Department through:

Email: trust.care@rera.gov.ae

For more information, you can visit the website: http://www.dubailand.gov.ae/Default.aspx or the Dubai REST app.

If the project has not started and is under cancellation:

Please note that Dubai Land Department does not have the authority to terminate any contract between the developer and the investor at the request of the investor. In this case, the investor wishing to terminate a contract with the developer should go to the real estate court under that jurisdiction, and Dubai Land Department’s role here is limited to reconciling the two parties and settling the dispute amicably without deciding or interfering with the issue of termination.

If the project is cancelled:

The account is transferred to the project liquidation department, which in turn requests the developer to return the amounts paid to the investors within 60 days from the date of the cancellation decision. If the Real Estate Regulatory Agency deems that there are reasons to postpone, this period will be extended. In the event that the developer does not comply, the matter is referred to the court to guarantee the rights of the investors.

If the project completion percentage does not exceed 5%, with most of the amounts deposited in the escrow account, and the investor wants to recover the amounts in the account through the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, knowing that the developer has not and will not build the project:

What was mentioned in the first case applies here

If the project is not cancelled, and the investor wants to recover the amounts paid, that investor must resort to the court.

If the project has been under cancellation or has been cancelled for more than a year or so, and there is no clear answer about the announcement of these projects, nor about the fate of the investors in those projects:

In the case of cancelled projects: The customer should refer to the top management because there are reservations about announcing cancelled projects, and the real estate court is contacted if the project is referred to the real estate liquidation committee in Dubai courts.

If the project is under cancellation: At this stage, the project has not yet been cancelled, and the process goes through several steps and procedures before reaching the cancellation decision, such as submitting a grievance, looking into the grievance, and then submitting its statement upon which the necessary action is taken. This process may take at least three months as it requires the formation of a committee to consider incomplete projects, and a report is submitted to the committee to consider and inform the possibility of proceeding with the cancellation, starting the liquidation procedures.

The Real Estate regulatory Agency monitors the progress of construction works in the project periodically, and if the project is stalled or the development is very minor, the developer is contacted and given a period to correct the project status. In the event that the developer does not comply and there are no reasons justifying the stoppage of construction or poor achievement, procedures for cancelling the project will be initiated according to the procedures approved by RERA.

The investor has the right to obtain a report showing the percentage of completion, and it must be prepared by the technical auditor at the Real Estate Regulatory Agency after paying the auditor’s audit fee of AED 15,000 for the real estate unit or the investor’s villa.

Please note that Dubai Land Department does not have the authority to terminate any contract between the developer and the investor at the request of the investor. In this case, the investor wishing to terminate the contract with the developer should go to the real estate court under that jurisdiction, and Dubai Land Department’s role here is limited to reconciling the two parties and settling the dispute amicably without deciding or interfering with the issue of termination.

In the case of such projects, Dubai Land Department and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency will intervene to protect the rights of the parties to complete the project.

All laws issued stipulate penalties against developers who violate the laws and regulations of real estate development.

All laws issued stipulate penalties against developers who violate the laws and regulations of real estate development.

The developer has to fill out the form regarding developer registration and project approval and submit the required documents. After approval of the project by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency represented by the Real Estate Development Escrow Accounts Department, the escrow account will be opened by the account trustee based on the project approval certificate.

Currently, the procedure is done automatically by granting the developer the authority to enter the system after being approved as a real estate developer listed in the real estate developers registry. The submitted applications are reviewed and all registration requirements are met to approve the project. The developer will then be automatically allowed to open an escrow account and choose the survey company to submit the real estate units of the project.

All amounts received from buyers of real estate units sold off-plan (including money received from their partners who entered into a mortgage with them) are deposited in the project escrow account, as well as the amount of financing for the development of the property.

As a general rule, payments made from an escrow account are only for payments to the contractors, consultants and marketing involved in the project. Not all expenses incurred by the developer in connection with the project are eligible for payment from the escrow account. For example, only 5% of total sales can be paid for project marketing purposes.

The written agreement concluded between the developer and the account trustee contains details of the major construction stages that are required to be completed on the site for the purpose of releasing payments from the escrow account. The project manager at the developer informs the account trustee when a milestone is completed and submits a request for payment to the service providers. The account trustee engineer visits the site and checks the project to ensure the completion of the main construction phase. Upon verification of this, the account trustee is authorised to disburse payments from the escrow account to make payments to service providers.

Yes, all payments received from buyers must be paid into the Escrow account.

The completion status of real estate projects in Dubai (free zones) can be tracked by entering the plot number, project number, or project name. Users will gain access to a lot of data, including a project’s percentage of completion and its status, in addition to plans that a developer may highlight. To benefit from this service provided by Dubai Land Department, you can use the link: https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/real-estate-project-status-landing/real-estate-project-status/

The real estate projects can be mortgaged to obtain a loan from banks or legally approved finance companies, provided that the value of the mortgage is deposited in the project’s escrow account to ensure that the deposited amounts are transacted according to the law. The bank and developer shall be committed to ensure that the purchasers fulfilled their contractual obligations towards the developer obtain the title deed upon completion of the real estate project.

A mortgage can be transferred from one financier to another, provided that a No Objection Certificate is obtained from the bank.

An application can be submitted to register the contract with the Real Estate Registration Assurance section at Dubai Land Department, supported by all documents that support the application.

After completing all registration procedures and obtaining the accreditation certificate

The landlord is prohibited from cutting off services from the property or interfering with the tenant in any way that would prevent them from using the property. In this case, the tenant has the right to file a report with the police station, whose jurisdiction covers the property, to request the removal of the objection or proof of its condition. The tenant can also resort to the Rental Disputes Center to file a claim supported by official reports confirming the impact of the exposure to receive compensation for possible damages.

The legislator allows a landlord to request that the centre rule for evicting a tenant from a property if they wish to use it for themselves or for a first-degree relative. The ruling cannot take place without the following requirements:

– An eviction notice must be sent to the tenant stating the reason through the notary public or by registered mail and specifying the required eviction date, provided that there are at least 12 months between the notification and the requested date of eviction.

– The landlord must prove that they do not have an appropriate alternative, and that the suitable alternative does not mean that they do not own another real estate, but that even if they do, only the property required to be evacuated is suitable for the intended purpose.

• sale condition

The legislator allows the landlords to request the centre to rule for them to evict the tenant from the property if they wish to sell, as long as the following conditions are met:

– There is a notice to the tenant of eviction stating this reason, through the notary public or by registered mail, and specifying the date of the required eviction, provided that there is at least 12 months between the notification and requested date of eviction.

– In order to prove that the sale is serious and that the landlord does not have a suitable alternative, given that the suitable alternative does not mean that they do not own another property, but that even if they have other properties, the property required to be evacuated is only suitable for the purpose for which it is required to be used.

• demolition case

If the landlord (the lessor) wishes to demolish their property to rebuild it, they are permitted by law to ask the tenant to vacate a property provided:

• The necessary licences are obtained from the competent authorities.
• The tenant is notified by a notary public or registered mail 12 months prior to the date of eviction.

The legislator allows a landlord to request the centre to rule for them to evict a tenant from a property if they have not committed to paying the rent, as long as the following conditions are met:

– A notice is sent to the tenant asking them to pay the rent or eviction allowance, through the notary public or by registered mail, with a deadline for payment of no less than 30 days.

– The tenant must have defaulted on their payment.

In the event that either party to the Ejari contract desires to amend any conditions or reconsider the rental allowance, whether by an increase or decrease, they must notify the other party of that no less than 90 days prior to the expiry of the contract, unless the two parties agree otherwise.

If they do not reach an agreement in this regard, the committee sets the wage for the same, taking into consideration the criteria for determining the percentage increase in rent allowances set by RERA, the general economic situation in the emirate, the condition of the property and the rent of the same prevailing in the similar real estate market within the same area, and what is stipulated in any legislation throughout the emirate regarding real estate rents, as well as any other factors deemed by the committee.

Yes, it is possible to apply for a residence permit for the property at the Cube Centre of Real Estate Promotion and Investment Management sector at Dubai Land Department, so long as the value of the property exceeds AED 1 million.

It is a service centre where all property residencies are issued, including printing requests, medical examinations, health insurances, and procedures for the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.

There are two types of real estate residencies: a three-year residency on a property whose value is AED 750,000 or more and a five-year residency on a property whose value exceeds AED 2 million.

• A minimum property value of AED 2 million (fully paid, not mortgaged) (more than one property can be accepted) under the applicant’s name.
• The person must be in the UAE.

• Taking a medical fitness test.
• Temporarily suspending or cancelling the family residency.
• Cancelling the applicant’s visa.
• Issuing of a residency and Emirates ID (for five years).
• Lifting the temporary suspension of the family residency.

You can contact for your enquiries at any of the following numbers 042030668 – 042030635 -042030633.

Or by sending an email to dld-taskeen@dubailand.gov.ae

You can access Dubai Land Department’s website and view the annual real estate market performance report. The monthly price index reports and daily transactions can also be viewed on the site as well as downloaded from the Dubai REST app.

Yes, family members can be sponsored

Yes, it is possible to apply for a property under construction, whereby the duration of the residency is annual

It is an owners’ committee formed from the owners of the units separated according to the procedures enforced in the Real Estate Regulatory Agency that fulfil the conditions for obtaining membership. The committee is formed for real estate projects for the first and third categories stipulated in Paragraph (a) of Law No. (6) of 2019 regarding jointly-owned properties in Dubai, as well as the second category if the hotel establishment desires that. The owners committee is formed upon registering at least (10%) of the total number of units in the name of the unit owners in the real estate registry.

1. To be in full legal capacity
2. Must be one of the owners residing in the jointly-owned property
3. Must be of good conduct
4. To be committed to paying the service and usage charges
5. Must attend the Owners’ Committee meetings and effectively participating in its sessions

It is the company licensed according to the system and approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency to manage shared facilities, shared properties, or common parts of the project.

The annual financial charges approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency that are collected from an owner of real estate units to cover the expenses of managing, operating, maintaining and repairing the jointly-owned property, and is subject to control and auditing according to the applicable system.

The annual financial charges approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency that are collected from the owners to cover the management, operation, maintenance and repair of common facilities in the main real estate project.

They are fees for services audited by statutory auditing offices approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency. They are payable by the owners of real estate units in jointly-owned projects in exchange for operating and managing common areas and facilities. They include:

• Service charges (security, internal and external cleaning, etc.).
• Maintenance charges (all types of maintenance contracts).
• Utility consumption bills (electricity, water, air conditioning).
• Administrative fees.
• Insurance fees.
• Master development community charges (usage charges).
• Reserve charges (in accordance with the law, an annual sum is collected for emergency and major repairs after a long period of time).

The owner’s share of the common services charges is calculated according to the area owned in the title deed of the real estate unit after distributing the total cost of the common services charges to all the owners of the real estate units in the project, each according to the area they own. The owner can also obtain a pricing of the cost of common services charges approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, from Dubai Land Department’s (service charge index), multiply it by the area of ​​the real estate unit, and obtain the total common services fees approved by RERA.

The budget allocated for the service or usage charges is approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, after completing the audit from one of the certified legal account auditing offices approved by RERA.

Yes, service and maintenance charges differ from one project to another depending on the type of services provided in the main building or complex, the size of common areas, and the size and number of real estate units sold.

The Real Estate Regulatory Agency stipulates that the management authorities should not claim service charges until after approval by RERA. In the event that the owners are requested to pay unauthorised service charges, legal measures will be taken against the violators.

For enquiries, they can refer to Dubai Land Department’s website or contact the call centre.

For complaints related to the low level of services and maintenance in the project, unit owners can submit a complaint through the Dubai REST application and enter the Real Estate Violations System (RVS) and submit the complaint.

Visit Dubai Land Department’s website https://dubailand.gov.ae and follow these steps:

Select e-services  Services Charge Index  Click on the service link  Start the service Enter the main project name, project name, usage and fiscal year Click on Calculate to get the result

You can also obtain the information via the Dubai REST app.

Service charges are paid in the accounts approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, after the customer receives an e-mail or text message from the Mollak system that allows the unit owners to use the approved electronic channels to pay the service charges.

The main objective of the Mollak system is to apply the real estate governance system to the real estate sector for jointly-owned properties, regulate the work of management companies, and monitor service charges in jointly-owned properties in Dubai.

Register management companies.

Register employees working in management companies.

Register management contracts.

Register statutory financial auditors.

Register financial institutions and banks.

Register the real estate complex in the system.

Request to open a regulatory bank account for the real estate complex.

Request for approval of service charges.

Issue invoices for service charges through the system for real estate unit owners.

Provide approved electronic payment gateways.

The service charge invoices can be paid through below payment options:

Payment Option 1

Pay the service charge by depositing the amount directly into the regulatory bank account mentioned in the invoice, and with the need for the owner to notify the project management company.

• Where can I find the regulatory bank account data for the jointly-owned property?

The escrow account information is printed in the invoice.

• Do I need to inform my management company after I make the transfer to the regulatory bank account?

Yes, you must present the payment slip to your management company via email or in person.

• Where can I find the email address to send the payment slip?

The email address is printed in the footer section of the invoice.

Payment Option 2

Pay using Noqodi (wallet, credit card, net banking).

The title deeds of properties owned in Dubai are issued at Dubai Land Department and at the Real Estate Registration Trustee centres.

Dubai Land Department registers the properties of foreigners and others through a letter approved by Dubai Courts, which determines the inheritance procedures according to the laws enforced in the UAE

The law requires developers to register completed projects in Dubai Land Department as soon as they receive a certificate of completion from the competent authorities. Accordingly, the real estate units that have been fully paid for will be transferred from the initial register to the Real Estate Registry and issuing the title deed/usufruct certificate for the investor.

In case the area of ​​the property exceeds the area agreed upon in the sale contract, the increase of the unit net area shall not be considered, and the developer shall not claim the value of such increase, unless otherwise expressly agreed in the sale contract.

In case the area of ​​the property is less than the area agreed upon in the sale contract, the developer is obliged to compensate the purchaser for the change in the area of ​​the real estate unit due to the decrease that exceeds (5%) of the net area of ​​the unit.

The Rental Disputes Center is a judicial system specialized in settling all rental disputes that arise between landlords and tenants in properties located within Dubai.

An owner is anyone registered in the real estate registry as an owner by way of purchase, mortgage, inheritance, or granted among other means. Not every owner needs to be an investor.

Under the Real Estate Registration Law, the right to own properties in Dubai is divided into:

• Ownership across all regions by Emirati or GCC citizens, for their companies whose shares they own in full, and joint public companies.
• Foreign ownership in freehold areas.

Depending on the type of the property required and the categories of the applicants, applications are received according to the following:

• To submit a residential land application (for citizens only), the application is submitted to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment.
• To submit a land investment application, the application must be submitted at Dubai Real Estate Corporation.

All real estate legislations in Dubai stress the necessity of registering all real estate transactions including ownership, transfer, or change with or without compensation in order to guarantee the rights of investors. All real estate transactions that are not registered in DLD’s registers are considered invalid.

The law does not set an age limit to own a property in Dubai. However, in case a person desires to sell, donate or mortgage a property owned by a minor, in whole or in part, a judgment awarded by the competent judge approving the sale of the real estate/share of the minor issued from the Awqaf and Minors’ Affairs Foundation for the citizens holding a registration extract (Khulasat Qayed) from Dubai and from the competent court for the rest of the categories shall be submitted.

In the case of a property purchase by a minor (less than 21 years old), the legal guardian shall sign the contract on behalf of the minor.

In accordance with the laws and regulations enforced in Dubai, any property or real estate unit can be mortgaged as debt security, according to the following conditions:

• The property is registered in Dubai Land Department.
• The mortgaged property or real estate unit must be established and has an existing insurance mortgage or verdict on the map at the time of the mortgage.
• The insurance mortgage may be made only on a property or real estate unit that is valid to transact.

• Preliminary approval from the Dubai Economy.
• Trade name reservation certificate.
• Ejari contract.
• Approved plans for interior decoration works.
• Certificate of completion of interior decoration works.
• Survey work fees (AED 2,020).

The video call service has been modified and activated. If the call is from within the UAE, the video call is registered through the real estate registration trustee’s office and is saved. Though the disbursement instruction form is initially approved along with its requirements, its process will need to be applied electronically.

If the call is from outside the country, an email must be sent that includes the property details, the amount of the sale, and the seller’s information, including ID cards, passports, and bank accounts to the centre’s directors. After completing our internal procedures, the office will receive the approval to register by email, and the video call will be recorded by the Real Estate Registration trustee’s office and saved.

The disbursement instruction form is then approved with its attached requirements to be applied electronically. In the event of any error in a number or a letter in the form, the period of time to complete the procedure will be calculated from the date when the error was amended.