Q: I want to buy a house in the UAE. What are the aspects that I should consider? and what are the documents that I should cross-check and verify?

Q: I am a US citizen and would like to buy a property in Dubai, where do I start?

Q: Hi, I am planning to buy a ready apartment in a 2-year-old building. How can I check for any dues on that apartment, would NOC suffice that the mortgage or any dues are cleared? How can I check that the seller does not have court cases against him in relation to property? How do the Service Charges get decided every year, as I understand that it is decided by Dubai Land Department who has defined the Service Index? Should I hire a lawyer to look out all legal aspects and help me till I get the property transferred to me? If yes, then what is the average cost for this service? Regards, Gufran

Q: I am an Indian citizen. I wish to invest in an off-plan property in Dubai. Specifically, I am interested in knowing the following: 1. Is there any standardized law (legally binding on the property developers) regarding the calculation of the property units' saleable area? 2. If yes, what is the Law No.? 3. Whether the saleable area is calculated based on - Net Internal Area (Carpet Area) OR - Including Wall Areas OR - Including common Areas? 3 A. If Wall/common areas are included, how much (%) of the wall area is added over & above the Net unit area? 4. Whether parking space is included in the saleable area of the unit or paid separately? 5. Whether the balcony area is calculated at the full rate the same as the unit area? 6. Whether it is required by law that the developer should mention the method of calculation of saleable area in the SPA? If all this information is available in any law/resolution, that would also suffice.

Q: Is it possible to check the past and present legal cases initiated by real estate buyers against a developer in Dubai and if the developer executed the court judgments against it? Can you assist to obtain this information?

Q: Is it legal for a Dubai developer to sell an off-plan real estate without setting binding completion and handover dates, having sole discretion over setting those dates?

س: شركة عقارية عرضت عليّ شراء وحدة عقارية بمبلغ 250 ألف أو شراء نصف الوحدة على أن توضَع نسبة الشراء في عقد شراء ثم استثمار هذا العقار بعائد 12 في المائة سنويًا لمدة ثلاث سنوات، وبعدها تعيد الشركة المال المدفوع عن طريق إعادة شراء الوحدة أو النسبة المدفوعة بموجب عقد بين الطرفين وشيك مؤجّل بالقيمة الإجمالية المدفوعة بالإضافة إلى شيكات مؤجلة على الأرباح بحيث تُوزّع الأرباح كل ثلاثة أشهر. سؤالي كيف أضمن حقي إذا استثمرت مع هذه الشركة؟ وفي حال انتهاء العقد وقررت سحب الشيك النهائي وتبين أنه بدون رصيد، هل أستطيع الحصول على أموالي أم أن الموضوع معقّد؟

This Regulation determines areas where non-UAE nationals may acquire freehold ownership rights over real property without time restriction, usufruct rights, or leasehold rights for up to ninety-nine in the Emirate of Dubai.

This Law sets the rules and procedures for registration of real property in Dubai. The right to own real property in Dubai is restricted to UAE and GCC nationals, to companies fully owned by these and to public joint stock companies. Freehold ownership by non-UAE nationals may be approved by the Ruler in certain areas.

This Resolution sets the fees for registration of real property dispositions in the real property register, including those related to completed, under-construction, or offplan real property, as well as the fees for services provided by Dubai Land Department.