No other city in the world exudes power, wealth, and luxury like the way Dubai does. Having established itself in the past several years as a bona fide economic hub, this is a dream place for millions of people around the world to settle down and live in. Whether you are a native of the UAE or some other part of the world, having a property in Dubai is the ultimate sign of security and smart investment.
However, given the competitive prices and the huge demand for land in the city, it can be quite daunting to get yourself into the procedure of buying properties in the Emirate. From ensuring you maintain the legalities to making sure you fish the right property at the right price, if you don’t keep up a checklist, then chances are high that you will end up with a not-so-favorable deal.
This is why, we are coming to your aid as we help you figure out the best possible route to buy property in Dubai. Our systematic guide will ensure you are always on the right side of the law and profitability in your dream pursuit of buying a lucrative property in the city. So, follow through!
Table of Content
- The Law for Buying Property in Dubai
- How to Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner?
- Steps to Follow While Buying a Property in Dubai
- How to Buy Property in Dubai from Australia?
- How to Buy Property in Dubai from India?
- How to Buy Property in Dubai from the UK?
- How to Buy Property in Dubai from the USA?
- Conclusion
The Law for Buying Property in Dubai
The Real Estate Law No. 7 of 2006: Land Registration Law regulates the legalities of the purchase of properties in Dubai. Article 4 of this law states the personnel who can buy and own property in the Emirate. In accordance with the law, you are eligible to buy real estate in Dubai if you fulfill any of the following criteria.
- If you are a citizen of the UAE.
- If you are a citizen of any of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nations that includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, apart from the UAE.
How to Buy Property in Dubai as a Foreigner?
Foreigners are allowed to purchase real estate in areas that are specifically designated as leasehold or freehold, otherwise known as foreign property ownership areas. The difference between leasehold and freehold lies in the buyer rights.
While you get property rights for a specific period of time when you purchase a property in leasehold, you can have complete ownership of the house and the land on which it is situated when you buy a property on a freehold basis.
Steps to Follow While Buying a Property in Dubai
Just like any other place in the world, purchasing a property in Dubai requires you to meticulously follow a linear set of steps. Maintaining the order of the steps and fulfilling all of them will ensure that you are on the right side of the law.
Not only will you be able to secure your purchase with a legal stamp and safeguard yourself in the future but it will also accelerate the entire process.
Outlining the Buyer-Seller Contract
Once you have finalized a property that suits your taste and preference, the first order of business is to initiate a talk with the seller so that both of you can settle on the terms and conditions. This is where you will have to negotiate the price. You can pay both through upfront cash or you can apply for a mortgage.
Make sure that there are no vague or ambiguous aspects when outlining the contract and that it clearly states the price, payment method, and all the relevant terms so that there are no misunderstandings in the future.
Although you don’t essentially need a lawyer or real estate agent at this stage on a mandatory basis, you should rely on a reputable legal compliance firm or a real estate agency to handle the rest of the steps.
Signing the Real Estate Sale Agreement
The next order of business is signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will serve as your sale agreement. Also known as Form F, you can download the MoU from the official website of DLD (Dubai Land Department). It is one of the main components of the real estate form of RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
Feel free to include your own terms in the contract and once it is all set, you need to head to the Registration Trustee’s Office along with the seller of the property and sign it together in the presence of a witness.
As a buyer, you also are required to pay a standard 10% security deposit on the property to the Registration Trustee. The amount is returned to you after the finalization of the property transfer and the entire transaction is completed.
Applying for a No Objection Certificate
The third step in the process of purchasing a property in Dubai involves the application for a No Objection Certificate (NoC) after a quick chat with the developer and finalizing the transfer of ownership. This has to take place in the developer’s office and the presence of the buyer, seller, and the real estate agent is required here.
If there are no outstanding service charges or bills on the property, the developer will issue the certificate so that you can go about with the rest of the process to complete the purchase of the said property.
Transferring Ownership at the Registrar’s Office
The final step in purchasing a property in Dubai is setting up a meeting with the seller at the DLD office so that you can officially put into effect the transfer of ownership of the property. For this process, you must keep the following documents ready before heading to the DLD office.
- Original identification document of both the seller and the buyer, including passport, and Emirates ID.
- The original NoC issued by the developer.
- Signed MoU (Contract F).
- A cheque from the manager for the price of the property that is payable to the seller.
Once all the formalities are taken care of, a new deed will be issued in your name, and that will complete the process of you becoming the new official owner of the said property.
How to Buy Property in Dubai from Australia?
If you want to buy a property in Dubai from Australia, you don’t need to have a resident visa as long as you have an updated passport. You can initiate conversations with local real estate agents in Dubai or get in touch with a developer directly.
First and foremost, make sure you perform thorough research on the real estate industry in Dubai. Get acquainted with the legal requirements and market prices of properties. Once you set a budget, you can look for funding possibilities. Take into consideration all the associated expenditures you can think of, such as the cost of the property, fees payable to agents, and registration fees, among others.
Next up, you need to find a trusted property agent with practical experience of working in the real estate market of Dubai. They will aid you in discovering viable properties, setting up viewing, and directing you through the purchasing procedure.
When buying property in Dubai online, virtual tours are great but physically visiting Dubai once you narrow down your choices to a few is recommended since you will be making a long-term investment.
You can get in touch with RERA if you feel you were unjustly or unfairly treated by your landlord or developer. They will help in reviewing your contract and provide you with customized advice.
How to Buy Property in Dubai from India?
Buying property in Dubai from India requires you to have an updated passport. You don’t need a resident visa to make the purchase. The government of the UAE has made it extremely convenient and hassle-free for foreigners to buy property in Dubai. They provide you with a Property Holders Visa, which allows you to have a 6-month visa license if you are buying a property there.
If you are wondering how to buy property in Dubai for expats, this is the way to go. This visa will enable you, as an expat investor, to live in Dubai while you investigate and explore the investments. However, make sure the property you are purchasing is worth more than a million Dirhams.
The freehold areas in Dubai where you can make purchases of properties as an expat are Emirates Hills, Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, Al Barsha, and Ras Al Khor, among others. As for leasehold areas where you will get a lease period of 10-99 years without having complete ownership, the popular ones are Deira, Discovery Garden, and Jumeirah.
How to Buy Property in Dubai from the UK?
If you want to buy a property in Dubai from the UK, then first of all, you need to research what the market of real estate is like in the Emirate. Try and have an understanding of the property appreciation rates, rental yields, and demand-supply dynamics.
After that, set yourself a budget and explore the location where you want to buy the property. Try and consider the various amenities you would like and how close your preferred location is to healthcare facilities, schools, airports, schools, and workplaces.
Next, find a trusted real estate agent who will assist you in negotiating the best deals. Then, you need to verify both the property and developer that you have set your eyes on. Get a basic knowledge of the freehold and leasehold area and apply for a NoC for off-plan properties.
Fill out all the legalities and review the payment plan. Register your property with DLD and make the payment. Finally, stay aware of the taxes and fees. Although most properties in Dubai don’t require taxes, there will be many surplus charges such as agent commission, service charges, and registration fees, among others.
How to Buy Property in Dubai from the USA?
Buying a property in Dubai from the USA requires you to first of all select a developer who has been approved by the DLD. You then have to proceed to find a reputed real estate agent in the Emirate who has been registered by RERA. Apply for a NoC and then register the property under your ownership at the DLD office.
Based on your interest and budget, you can select to buy apartments, condominiums, townhouses, villas, residential communities, commercial properties, off-plan properties, hotel apartments, lad plots, or serviced apartments.
Please make sure you conduct thorough due diligence since this is a lifelong investment and involves a huge sum of money. Request property documents such as title deeds and verify the legal status and ownership of the seller. You can even hire a registered lawyer locally who will aid you in completing the due diligence process to make sure the property is free from any legal issues or other mishaps.
Conclusion
Purchasing properties in Dubai is a dream of many around the world and rightfully so. The exposure and opportunities that this city provides are unprecedented. Besides, with all the modern amenities and beautiful landscape, you will be able to build the ultimate property, irrespective of which type of property you are purchasing.
All you need to do is make sure you are always going in a linear way to ensure all the legalities involved in the purchase of a property in Dubai are completed. Make sure you have all the necessary documents in place.
Rely only on registered and reputed developers, sellers, lawyers, and real estate agents. Draft your buyer-seller contract carefully and never forget to verify the authenticity of your seller and the property you are buying.
All in all, stay within the legal boundaries and follow all the official protocols involved so that the government can assist you in case of any trouble. Make your investment in Dubai worth it.
