Frequently asked questions about buying property in Dubai

No investment is risk free, and anyone who tells you otherwise is not telling you the whole story. What Dubai does have is an organised regulatory system around the transaction itself. In designated freehold areas, foreign buyers are registered as owners on the local title. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) registers projects and transactions, and RERA publishes monitoring reports on construction progress. In off-plan projects, buyer funds are held in an escrow account by law.

That is where due diligence should start: is the project registered, who is the developer, where is the money held, and what do the progress reports say. It is the first part of every engagement I take on.

In off-plan projects in Dubai, your payments do not go straight into the developer's general account. Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, every project has its own escrow account at a bank, and buyer payments go into it. The developer draws from the account according to actual construction progress, and the money is ring-fenced for that project only.

Each project has its own escrow bank. For example, the escrow account for Chelsea Residences by DAMAC is held at Dubai Islamic Bank. The account details appear in the project documents, and during construction you can follow the official progress reports.

Yes. In designated freehold areas, foreign buyers can buy with full ownership and be registered as owners. I bought a family townhouse at Damac Riverside myself in June 2024, and went through the whole process as a buyer.

The main cost is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration fee: 4% of the property value. When buying off-plan from a developer, it is usually paid when you sign the sale and purchase agreement, together with the down payment. There are also administrative fees, which vary from project to project.

Some developers offer to cover the fee as part of a promotion, so it is worth looking at the full price structure before comparing. These figures refer to Dubai. In other emirates, such as Ras Al Khaimah, the rules and fees are set by different authorities.

Transferring funds abroad takes preparation with your bank: the source of funds and supporting documents. It is worth starting this stage early, before you commit to payment dates. I know this stage from experience and I know where it gets stuck, and I connect you with the right professionals when needed. I am not a tax adviser or a lawyer.

Buying off-plan means buying a property that is still under construction. Instead of paying the full amount upfront, you pay according to a payment plan set by the developer: part on signing, part during construction, and sometimes part on handover. Each project has its own plan, and it appears on each project's page on this site. Before signing, make sure the plan is written into the contract and not only in the marketing material.

When construction is complete, you pay the remaining balance, carry out a handover inspection and take possession of the property. During construction the purchase is registered with the DLD in the Oqood system, and on handover a title deed is issued in your name. The handover inspection is one of the tools I use, to make sure you receive exactly what the contract promised.

Yes. After handover you can rent long term or short term, usually through a management and letting company in Dubai. I connect you with such companies, or guide you through a sale if that is the goal. I do not promise returns, and nobody should promise you returns.

Rental income and sale proceeds are reportable in your country of residence. I know the process from experience and connect you with the professionals who handle it, but I am not an accountant or a tax adviser. The details that apply to you should be checked with an accountant or tax adviser.

I guide the investor all the way: from choosing the property, through registration and payments, to handover, renting or selling. My role is to make sure you receive exactly what you are entitled to and to protect your rights. I am not a licensed broker, an accountant or a lawyer. The transactions themselves are executed through a licensed broker in Dubai and with the developer.

The price is set after an initial consultation call, once it is clear what you are looking for and what kind of guidance suits you.