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Please see below a number of frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buying a Property
What is the purchase process?
The buyer and the seller sign an MOU if it is a property purchase from a reseller. The Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement between the reseller and the buyer about the terms and conditions of the sale transaction.
If buying a property directly from the developer, the SPA is signed. The Sales Purchase Agreement, or SPA, is an important document you sign with the developer that has all the agreed terms and conditions about the sale transaction
How long does it take to buy a new property in Dubai?
An average property transaction in Dubai takes around 30 days to complete from the date on which the Agreement for Sale is signed.
What are the advantages of buying secondary market?
When buying an existing property, there are significantly fewer risks. You buy what you see.
General Inquiries
Do I have to register the property to claim ownership? Can anyone go in for the registration?
A property must be registered in the buyer’s name at the Dubai Land Department (DLD) once it has been delivered to the buyer. If a property owner is unable to register their property themselves and obtain a title deed, they may nominate someone with a notarized Power of Attorney.
Upon receiving the original selling contract, off-plan property must be registered in the interim register using the Oqood system. A title deed will be provided in the homeowner’s name once the property is ready.
Along with a set charge for document preparation, a registration fee equal to 4% of the property’s worth must be paid.
Are foreigners permitted to have 100% ownership of property in Dubai?
Property ownership in Dubai used to be limited to UAE nationals. But in 2006, the government approved Regulation No. 3, which established specific regions where non-citizens could acquire real estate. Foreigners are allowed to purchase freehold real estate in certain localities. In most areas of “new Dubai,” including Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and Emirates Hills, large freehold homes are accessible.
What is Freehold Property?
“Freehold property is a sort of real estate purchase in which the buyer also acquires ownership of the land and the dwelling unit. He/she is the landowner and is listed on the title deed. A freehold property may be inherited from the holder of the title deed. A freehold property owner has the right to rent, occupy, or sell their home. As long as it complies with local laws and regulations, the owner may use the land for any purpose.
The most well-liked freehold neighborhoods for foreigners to buy real estate in Dubai are Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Al Barsha, and Palm Jumeirah. Freehold homes were introduced here to promote foreign investment in Dubai.
What is Oqood?
Emirates Real Estate Solutions offers developers an online tool called Oqood, which is Arabic for “contracts.” It facilitates the registration of real estate between developers and purchasers.
What is the difference between Freehold and Leasehold?
Freehold refers to the buyer having full ownership of the property and having his name on the title deed. While a leasehold refers to renting the property out for up to 99 years and lasting longer than 10 years. It cannot be entirely purchased.
What are the fees needed to buy a property in Dubai?
The primary market purchasing fee in all DLD Registration Trustees offices is AED 4,000 for transactions over AED 500,000, and AED 2,000 for those below this amount. Fees are payable in cash and paid by the parties as agreed.
For secondary market purchases, total fees include a 2% commission fee (for the sales agent or broker), the NOC fee [around AED 5,000 max] and a transfer appointment fee [AED 4,000].
What is the Dubai Land Department and what does it do?
The Dubai Land Department or DLD as it’s often referred to is a government-run entity in Dubai that oversees all real estate related trading operations. It’s primary function is to legalise the sale and purchase of land, boosts investment and provide customers with a highly integrated, transparent and secure real estate experience.
Mortgages
Is it possible to mortgage a property in Dubai?
Yes you can mortgage a property in Dubai.
Can I resell my property if I have a mortgage on it?
Yes, you can reselle the property if you have a mortgage on the proeprty. The mortgage must be paid off to the bank to obtain clearance. The terms and conditions will vary from bank to bank.
Off-Plan Properties
What is an Off-plan property?
A property whose construction hasn’t started or is still in the planning phases is referred to as a “off-plan” property.
What documents are filled in to purchase a property on the primary market?
When buying a freehold property in Dubai, the following documents are required:
- A Valid Passport
- Emirates ID (if resident of UAE)
- Reservation Form
- A credit card form as well if paying with card (usually for international clients)
- A filled in CIF, i.e. Customer Information Form (in some cases)
Can I sell an off-plan property before its completion date?
Yes, you can sell an off-plan property before its completion date.
What happens if you can't pay your off-plan property in Dubai?
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.
What are the advantages of buying off-plan properties?
The advantages of buying a new construction project are certainly that the prices are somewhat lower. In addition, one often has a larger selection and the apartments as well as the interior fittings are new. In addition, the administrative burden is also lower when buying a new construction project.
Payment
Can I buy a property with Cash?
Yes, it is possible to buy a property with cash, but this happens very rarely nowadays. Usually, the transaction is completed with a manager’s check issued by the bank. This is a promise to pay issued by the bank. This means the bank guarantees that the cheque is covered.
What is an Escrow Account?
Escrow accounts serve as a form of third-party funding, allowing the merchant access to the funds provided (by the buyer) when an escrow agreement has been completed. The money is returned to the buyer if the merchant does not uphold the terms of the contract.
An escrow account serves a very specific purpose in the real estate market in the United Arab Emirates. According to the UAE’s Escrow Account Law, the developers of the numerous projects are required to open separate escrow accounts for each project. It controls the financing that the developers obtain from the buyers in order to build the projects and safeguards the funds belonging to the buyers.
Rentals
What rental income can a homeowner expect to collect?
Depending on the type of property, the location, and the cost of the service charge, the average net revenue (after paying the service charge) ranges from 5% to 10% annually. Even though the rent is higher, the more upscale and expensive houses typically provide a lower percentage of rental income.
Taxes
What kind of taxes does the property owner need to pay?
The United Arab Emirates is a tax-free nation, meaning neither property nor any revenue derived from it is subject to taxation. The annual maintenance fee and service charge payments, however, are the responsibility of the property owner and must be made to the management firm that the owner’s association has contracted with. Payments are made between once and four times each year at an average cost of AED10-AED30 per square foot, depending on the project and services offered.
Visa Relations
When am I eligible for Residence Visa?
If you own a property worth at least AED 750,000, you are eligible to apply for an investor visa for a period of two years. If you own a property worth more than AED 2 million, you are even eligible to apply for a 10-year visa.
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