Everybody is looking to buy a property in Dubai – including Indians, UK citizens, and Saudis. The real estate market here is exciting and moving fast. At Flair Properties International, our real estate agents help our clients follow the legal checklist from Day 1.
Let us share the steps you need to follow and the documents you need for buying a Dubai property to make our journey more predictable and keep it stress-free.
Legal Steps You Need to Follow
1. Check Your Eligibility Status
Some areas in Dubai are open for foreign real estate buyers, and some are not. Your real estate agent can help you determine where you can buy property without any local sponsor.
Some designated freehold zones open for both residents and non-residents of the UAE are:
- Downtown Dubai,
- Dubai Marina,
- Palm Jumeirah,
- Business Bay, and
- JVC.
2. Make Sure Your Developer and Real Estate Agent are RERA Certified
Dubai has a strong Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) to ensure property buyers and investors in Dubai stay protected. You must check that:
- Your developer is registered with RERA.
- Your real estate agent holds an active RERA license.
- Your project is approved by the DLD (Dubai Land Department).
3. Sign the Form F
Your Dubai property buying journey starts with signing an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), popularly known as Form F. You deposit 10% as security while signing it. This document keeps a record of:
- Payment Terms,
- Final Sale Price,
- Date of Transfer, and
- Responsibilities of Seller and Buyer.
Our real estate agents review all the paperwork line by line and help you understand it well.
4. Get the NOC (No Objection Certificate)
Sellers in Dubai need to obtain an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the developer first. This paper confirms that:
- The developer has no objections to the property transfer.
- There are no outstanding dues.
- All service charges have already been paid.
Our real estate agents coordinate all these steps for you for a pre-determined fee.
5. Legal Documentation You Will Need
Individual real estate buyers need:
- A copy of their passport,
- UAE visa and Emirates ID (for UAE residents only),
- Contact details, and
- Form F or MOU (signed).
Foreign nationals will also need:
- Proof of their address, and
- Bank details they will use for escrow and payment transfers.
Those who are buying a Dubai property on a mortgage need some additional papers. These include:
- Pre-approval of Mortgage,
- Bank Statements for 6 to 12 months,
- Salary Certificate or Proof of Income, and
- Final Offer Letter for the Mortgage.
Corporate buyers investing in Dubai real estate need:
- Trade License,
- Memorandum of Association,
- Board Resolution, and
- Copy of ID of all the Authorised Signatories.
At Flair Properties International, our real estate agents in Dubai help you organise all the documents in advance, so your transfer appointment goes smoothly.
6. Use DLD-Regulated Escrow for Off-Plan Properties and Manager’s Cheque for Ready Properties
Pre-launch or under-construction properties in Dubai are called off-plan properties. You must use a DLD-regulated escrow account to make payments in this case. For ready properties, you need to use the manager’s cheques (bank-approved cheques guaranteed by banks) as mentioned in the MOU.
7. Finalise the Sale at a DLD-Approved Trustee Office
You need to finalise the sale in a DLD-approved trustee office, where you:
- Submit your documents,
- Give cheques,
- Pay the transfer fees, and
- Sign all the paperwork to complete the transfer.
Then, the Dubai Land Department issues the Title Deed in your name that seals your legal ownership over the property.
8. Pay the Fees
Besides the cost of the property, you need a budget for the following:
- DLD Transfer Fee, which is 4% of the value of the property,
- Trustee Office Fee, which is between AED 2,000 to 4,000,
- Brokerage Fee, which is usually 2% of the value of the property,
- Mortgage Registration Fee, which is 0.25% of the loan amount, and
- NOC Fee, which can be between AED 500 to 5,000.
9. Checklist While Taking Handover from the Developer
Once this process is done, the developer schedules the handover to you. At this time, you receive:
- Access Cards to enter the building, amenities, and secured areas,
- Parking Allocation confirming which parking slot(s) are yours,
- Snagging Report Opportunity allowing you to check the property for defects and asking the developer to fix them (if any), and
- Move-In Permission to allow you to live in the property.
For off-plan units, handovers take place after construction is completed and all the government approvals are obtained.
To know more, book an appointment with our real estate consultants today.
