Dubai welcomes foreigners and nationals to invest in the real estate market. Transparency and legal processes make it easier to buy property in Dubai. That said, understanding the documents required for buying a property in Dubai is very important to ensure a smooth real estate transaction.
If you are planning to buy, you can simply browse property listings or submit a buying inquiry, where top agents will help you navigate the real estate market. Without further ado, let’s find out the documents required at each step.
- Mandatory Documents Required to Buy a Property Legally in Dubai
- Core Documents for Buying a Property in Dubai
- Optional Documents for Some Cases
- Documents for Buying an Off-Plan Property
- Documents for Buying a Commercial Property
- FAQs
Key Takeaways
- If you are looking to buy a property in Dubai, you must have a valid passport, Emirates ID, or residence visa.
- A signed Form F is another core document.
- Sellers must request an NOC from the developers.
- For buyers, proof of funds or mortgage documents are essential.
- Property valuation reports and title deed are other important documents.
- If you are buying a property while you are not present in Dubai, you can appoint a power of attorney.
- For off-plan projects, buyers must sign an SPA document with the developer.
- As a commercial property buyer, a trade licence is required alongside other documents.
Mandatory Documents Required to Buy a Property Legally in Dubai
Dubai Land Department (DLD) regulates the real estate market in the emirate through specific rules and documentation. From the initial agreement between buyer and agent to the final transfer of the property, the buyer and seller must understand the legal documents.
Core Documents for Buying a Property in Dubai
1. Valid Passport, Emirates ID, and Residence Visa
To buy a property in Dubai, you will need original plus clear copies of the following:
- Passport with a minimum validity of six months.
- Emirates ID (original required at the trustee’s office for verification)
- UAE Residence Visa (copy of visa page in the passport)
As a foreign buyer, you will only need a passport. For nationals and expats, an Emirates ID and UAE Residence Visa are essential.
2. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
When purchasing a property, the initial unified sales contract, also known as Form F and Memorandum of Understanding, is an agreement between the buyers and sellers. After due diligence and price negotiations, both parties sign the MoU prepared by the agent.
3. No-Objection Certificate From Developer
A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) is a mandatory document when buying a property in Dubai. The seller obtains an NOC from the developer, which states that all dues and service charges are cleared. The fee for an NOC ranges from AED 500 to AED 5000. It can be obtained via the Dubai REST App.
4. Proof of Funds or Mortgage Registration Documents
When you buy a property in Dubai, you are required to provide proof of funds. As a buyer, if you are applying for a mortgage, you need to obtain pre-approval from the bank. Also, you will need to provide this document at the time of property sales registration and mortgage registration at DLD.
5. Property Valuation Reports
If you have hired a property valuation company to know the accurate market value, you can attach those reports to Form F when buying the property in Dubai.
6. Title Deed
As a buyer, you must obtain the Title Deed from the seller after completing the payments. It is required to update the Title Deed certificate in the new owner’s name.
Optional Documents for Some Cases
Power of Attorney
When you are buying a property in Dubai as a foreigner, you will need to appoint a Power of Attorney (PoA) if you are not present in the country. It is a Special Power of Attorney detailing the specific powers in property purchase.
Moreover, this document must be bilingual, drafted in Arabic and English. This PoA is valid for 5 years. A UAE Public Notary must notarise it. That said, if the PoA is signed outside the UAE, it requires legalisation from the UAE Embassy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Moreover, it must be translated into Arabic.
Usually, notarisation and local drafting of a Power of Attorney can cost you around AED 1200 to AED 1800.
Documents for Buying an Off-Plan Property
Signed Sales & Purchase Agreement
When you buy an off-plan property, you will need to sign a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the developer. This is mandatory for the interim registration of the off-plan unit, also known as Oqood, which serves as a title deed for off-plan properties.
Documents for Buying a Commercial Property
- Valid trade licence (original and copy)
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution authorising the specific purchase and naming the authorised signatory
- Certificate of incorporation
- Passport or Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Power of Attorney
FAQs
If you are looking to sell the property in Dubai, you must have the following documents:
Original title deed
Emirates ID or valid passport
NOC from the developer
Signed MoU with buyer
Yes, you can get a residency visa when you buy a property in Dubai. As per the new rules, buyers can request a 2-year residency visa for a property of any price, provided they own the property outright.
You can find budget-friendly studio apartments, starting at AED 500k. The money required depends on your preference. You must add 7% to 8% more for upfront fees, like the following:
Property registration trustee fees: AED 2000 for apartments and AED 4000 for villas
DLD Fees: 4% of the property price
Mortgage and bank fees: 1% bank arrangement fee
Mortgage registration fees: 0.25% of the mortgage value
Property valuation fee: AED 2500 to AED 3500
Real estate agency commission: 2% of the property value
Title deed fees: AED 250 plus AED 20 for Innovation and Knowledge fees
These were all the details about the documents required when buying a property in Dubai. Whether you buy a villa or apartment, you must adhere to all the legal requirements. Plus, you must hire a real estate agent to help you with the whole process and due diligence.
For more tips and advice, keep reading the DubaiSale blog. You can also follow the DubaiSale WhatsApp channel to find property insights and distressed deals.
