Q: Good morning, I am looking to possibly hire a lawyer for a number of tasks. I live in Saudi Arabia but my husband wants to give me POA for his apartment in Dubai as we need to complete registration papers for same. Also, we need to draw up wills to pass on our properties in Dubai to our kids. Oh, I am Irish and my husband is Saudi, also I am seeking advice re rental contract for my tenant, if possible obtaining 6 months only. We plan to move to Dubai summer 2018. How do I obtain Residence visa as a home owner? I believe our kids can stay there without visa as per GCC. Sorry for all this, that is why I think we need to hire services as opposed to advice. Hoping that you can assist us or direct us. Many thanks in advance, Ann

Q: We are planning to buy a property in Dubai, shall we expect to get a residence visa? What will be the terms and conditions? How many relatives can I sponsor on this type of visa?

Q: I would like to apply for the mortgage in one of the banks in Dubai to purchase a property. Is this possible without residence visa and if yes, so which documents will be required from my side?

Q: I decided to purchase a penthouse in Abu Dhabi. I signed an MOU with the seller through a broker. The seller had a mortgage obligation with the bank. The mortgage amount was slightly higher than the transaction amount. According to the terms of the MOU, I paid off the seller’s mortgage to the bank, covering the purchase amount, while the seller paid the remaining balance. Sometime after my payment, the broker sent me a Mortgage Release document confirming that the penthouse no longer had any encumbrances. Next, the seller was supposed to obtain the NOC, after which we would go to the municipality to transfer the title. However, the seller has not obtained the NOC! According to the broker, the seller is disputing the amount assigned to him for payment by the management company and seemingly intends to sue the company. It has already been three months since my payment! The broker says that the seller is willing to sign a court document that would ensure my guarantees. Is this true?

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.

The provisions of this Law apply to the mortgage of real roperty as security for debt. It makes no difference whether the debt is secured by a charge over the whole of the property or over an undivided interest therein or by right in rem or personal right over a property marked as sold off-plan.