Dubai property laws for real estate investors

Are you an investor who wants to enter Dubai’s real estate market? If yes, you need to be familiar with Dubai’s property laws. Failure to do so may lead to future regret and unsafe deals. Since real estates can be a very costly investment, it is must that you seek legal counsel from a qualified real estate lawyer Dubai.

To ensure that you make the right investment, here are some of the things you need to know about Dubai’s property laws.

What are the Real Estate Laws in Dubai?

Dubai is one of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the UAE has its own legislation, Dubai, as well as the other Emirates, can pass their own property laws that supplement the Federal Law of the UAE.

In Dubai, through Law No. 7 of 2006 and no. 16 of 2007, Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) was created. They are the focal regulatory authority in property laws. Moreover, if you want to know the specific areas where non-UAE nationals can invest in, you should check Regulation No. 3 of 2006.

Here are other laws that you should also be familiar with when investing in Dubai:

• Law No. 8 of 2007 – this law concerns the escrow accounts for real estate development. 

• Law No. 26 of 2007 – basically, this is about Dubai rental law. It primarily outlines the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. 

• Law No. 27 of 2007 – this law concerns the construction and development of multi-use properties and multi-story buildings. 

• Law No. 13 and No. 14 of 2008 – outlines the registration of mortgage interests.

• Law No. 9 of 2009 – regulates resolutions on how to deal with disputes and issues arising from the cancellation of real estate contracts. In this case, you might as well hire property dispute lawyers Dubai to help you meet legal requirements.

• Law No. 56 of 2009 – regulates disputes that have to do with settling real estate transaction cheques.

• Law No. 7 of 2013 – enacted the establishment of Dubai Land Department (DLD). 

Who can own a real estate property in Dubai?

For many years, the UAE nationals are the only ones who are allowed to own a real estate in Dubai until Regulation No. 7 of 2006 was enacted. Due to the increased interest and pressure of foreign investors, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum declared that non-UAE nationals can apply for 10 to 99 years of leases in selected areas.

If you are a foreign investor, you would need to obtain a residential permit first to live in Dubai and consequently, purchase a property. Please note that a residential permit does not allow you to work legally in Dubai.

For UAE nationals and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals, they can fully own a property anywhere in Dubai. This is not the case with foreign investors who are only allowed to own freehold, leasehold, and usufruct properties in designated zones.

Seeking legal help

It is no doubt that the laws surrounding properties in Dubai can be very complicated. It takes a lot of effort to ensure that you understand every bit of the property law. Of course, you can study all the nitty gritty details of Dubai’s property laws or you can simplify the process by hiring the expert property attorneys of Motei & Associates. They have the right experience, training, and knowledge in handling property cases. Give them a call today!