Dubai real estate glossary

The brokerage commission on a secondary-market deal, usually 2% of the property price plus VAT. On off-plan the commission is usually paid by the developer, not the buyer.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. Connecting a property requires Ejari (tenant) or a title deed (owner), plus a deposit by property type.

Dubai Land Department: Dubai's land authority. The government body responsible for title registration, transactions, Oqood, Ejari, and broker licensing.

The DLD title-transfer fee, usually 4% of the deal price plus admin charges. Who pays (buyer, seller, or split) is set in the contract.

Dubai's official tenancy-contract registration system, run by DLD. Without Ejari you cannot connect electricity and water (DEWA) or base a residence visa on the lease.

A RERA-supervised trust account where the buyer's off-plan payments are deposited. The developer receives the money according to construction progress, not upfront.

Full ownership of the property and the land, with no time limit. Available to foreigners in freehold areas that Dubai has designated, not in every emirate and not in every neighborhood.

A long-term UAE residence visa (5 or 10 years). Buying property above a set value threshold may qualify. The conditions change from time to time.

The date the property is delivered to the buyer after construction is complete. Defects are checked (snagging), a title deed is issued, and service charges begin.

A long-term lease right (usually 10 to 99 years) without ownership of the land. At the end of the term the right returns to the landowner unless it is renewed.

A bank loan to buy a property. Residents and non-residents have different terms; the maximum loan-to-value is set by the UAE Central Bank.

No Objection Certificate. Required from the developer, or from the bank if there is a mortgage, to sell a property, transfer title, or pledge it.

Buying a property before construction is finished, based on the developer's plans. Usually includes a payment plan, Oqood registration, and escrow protection until handover.

Dubai's off-plan registration system. Until handover, ownership is recorded in Oqood; after handover you receive a title deed (Title Deed).

The payment schedule with the developer on an off-plan purchase. Common splits are 80/20 or 70/30 (during construction / at handover), and sometimes post-handover.

A payment plan where part of the price is spread after handover, sometimes over years. It lowers the initial capital needed, but raises the total cost.

A property whose construction is finished, with a title deed, ready to live in or rent immediately, unlike off-plan, which is still being built.

Real Estate Regulatory Agency: Dubai's real-estate regulator, an arm of DLD. It supervises developers, brokers, escrow accounts, and tenancy contracts.

Return on Investment: return on the investment. In Dubai real estate this is usually measured as annual rental yield (gross or net) against the purchase price.

A sale from owner to owner, not directly from the developer. The deal closes at a DLD trustee office, with a title deed and a transfer fee.

An annual fee, usually per sqm, for building management: maintenance, security, cleaning, and sometimes a sinking fund. It directly affects net yield. Check it before buying.

A defects inspection at handover. You record what the developer must fix: cracks, finishes, plumbing, usually under a defects-liability period after handover.

Sale and Purchase Agreement: the binding purchase contract with the developer or seller. It sets the price, payment schedule, handover date, and what happens on delay or cancellation.

The official ownership document issued by DLD. On a ready property it is issued at purchase; on off-plan, after handover, replacing the Oqood registration.

The permit number for advertising real estate in Dubai. Every developer or broker listing must carry a valid RERA Trakheesi number. Without it the ad is illegal.

A DLD-licensed trustee office where a secondary-market deal is closed: title is transferred, the registration fee is paid, and the new title deed is issued.