New to Dubai property and drowning in acronyms like RERA, DLD, Oqood, Ejari, Form F, NOC, escrow, and title deed; want a street-smart glossary locals wish they had on day one?
Freehold and leasehold basics
Buying means understanding where ownership sits. Freehold gives you full ownership of the unit and land share. Leasehold gives long-term rights for a fixed period. Most expat buyers choose freehold communities across new districts. Leasehold pockets still exist in older master plans. Developers clearly state tenure in brochures and contracts. Ask the agent to show the tenure on official records. Keep screenshots and file copies for your own audit trail.
Dubai Land Department and RERA
The Dubai Land Department registers property rights and issues title deeds. RERA sits within DLD and regulates the market’s daily conduct. It licenses brokers and oversees escrow, service charges, and disclosures. When people say “RERA rules,” they usually mean DLD regulations. Knowing both names helps when searching official services. Bookmark DLD’s portals and RERA pages for verified steps. Treat social posts as secondary to official sources.
Title deed and electronic title deed
A Title Deed proves ownership once transfer completes. Dubai also issues an electronic title deed through the Dubai REST app. You log in, select the property, and download the digital deed. Lenders and developers accept it for post-transfer requests. Save a PDF and a cloud backup after transfer day. Keep your Emirates ID handy for login verification. The digital pathway reduces time spent at counters.
Ejari for landlords and proof of address
Ejari records tenancy contracts in a central system. Owners who rent use Ejari to register leases and renewals. Tenants often need Ejari to activate services and verify address. Co-occupants should be registered under the current rules. The update process now sits inside DLD’s portal and Dubai REST. Keep your lease and IDs ready before starting the workflow. Use only official channels for updates and changes.
Oqood for off plan buyers
Oqood confirms interim registration for off-plan purchases. It links your unit, project, and payment schedule before handover. Think of it as a bridge to the final title deed. Developers submit details once the SPA is executed. You will later migrate to the deed at completion. Keep your Oqood copy alongside payment receipts and SPA. Verify the project appears in DLD’s interim register. Oqood+1
Sale and Purchase Agreement SPA
The SPA is your detailed contract with the developer or seller. It describes the unit, finishes, milestones, and remedies. For off-plan, it anchors the Oqood registration. For ready units, it complements transfer documents at trustees. Read timelines, default terms, and variation clauses carefully. Ask for clarifications in writing before you sign. Store every addendum with proper dates and initials.
Unified sale contract Form F
Form F is the unified sale agreement used in Dubai. Agents generate it through DLD’s approved system. Buyer and seller sign after agreeing key commercial terms. It precedes the transfer and sits in your deal pack. Check names, passport numbers, and unit identifiers carefully. Ensure any special conditions are written clearly and completely. Keep the signed version with payment proofs and IDs.
No Objection Certificate NOC
An NOC confirms the developer has no objection to transfer. It usually follows settlement of service charges and dues. Without an NOC, secondary sales cannot move to transfer. Developers now accept online applications in many cases. Timelines depend on each master developer’s internal checks. Submit title copy, IDs, and proof of cleared balances. Plan this step early to avoid appointment delays.
Escrow account protection
Dubai’s escrow regime ring-fences buyer payments for construction. Each off-plan project maintains a dedicated escrow account. Releases align with verified completion stages under RERA oversight. This system aims to protect buyers and ensure progress. Always confirm the escrow account details before paying. Use bank channels that reference your unit and project. Keep every payment slip in your permanent file.
Mortgage pre approval and LTV basics
Pre-approval is a lender’s early view of your borrowing profile. It guides budget, timelines, and offer credibility with sellers. LTV rules and affordability frameworks shape final approvals. Banks assess income, liabilities, and the property profile. Your final loan size may differ from initial estimates. Keep contingency for valuation and policy shifts. Ask lenders to list required documents in advance.
Bank valuation and final offer letter
Lenders instruct a valuation to benchmark the property’s market value. The report influences the approved loan amount and conditions. A Final Offer Letter then sets binding loan terms. Read fees, rate adjustments, and early settlement clauses closely. Align the mortgage issuance date with transfer timelines. Share your transfer appointment early with the bank. Keep originals ready for the trustee office checks.
Service charges and owners governance
Every building or community levies service charges annually. These fund cleaning, security, common utilities, and maintenance. Dubai uses a regulatory framework for jointly owned property. The law defines governance and expense responsibilities. RERA also provides a service-charge index and tools. Review the latest budgets shared by the managing entity. Compare communities because inclusions can differ widely.
Handover and snagging checklist
Handover marks practical completion and key collection. Snagging lists defects for the developer to fix. Inspect finishes, appliances, seals, and common access points. Photograph everything and send a dated snag report. Keep communication documented until closures are confirmed. Ask how warranty claims work after moving in. Save the final snag closure letter with your handover pack.
DLD trustee offices and transfer day
Most transfers finalize at a DLD-approved trustee office. Both parties appear in person or through a valid representative. The trustee checks IDs, contracts, and bank instruments. DLD collects statutory transfer charges during the appointment. The system issues your title deed once steps are cleared. Book your slot early in busy seasons and renew IDs. Carry originals because photocopies will not replace them.
Move in permits and utilities activation
Some master communities require move-in permits before access. Keep the title deed, passport, and paid service charges ready. Utility activation may reference title or Ejari records. Schedule movers after permit confirmation to avoid issues. Reserve elevators in high-rise buildings when possible. Notify security about contractor entry windows and parking. Keep copies of permits for community gate checks.
Co occupants on Ejari and compliance
If you lease the unit, register co-occupants under your Ejari. The feature sits inside DLD’s services and Dubai REST. Media and advisories have highlighted recent enforcement. Accurate co-occupant lists help with access and services. Keep Emirates IDs for those living in the unit. Update the list whenever household members change. Treat this as routine compliance, not an optional step.
Assignment resale before handover
Selling off-plan before handover is often called assignment. The buyer steps into your rights under the SPA. Developers set eligibility, timelines, and admin requirements. Some projects allow it after specific payment milestones. You still need a developer approval to proceed. Ask for the current assignment process and forms. Align lender releases if a payment plan is involved.
Power of attorney and representation
A Power of Attorney lets someone act for you at transfer. The document must meet UAE notarization and legalization rules. Banks sometimes require their own formats for loan matters. Time this well if you live outside the UAE. Trustees verify POAs before processing any signatures. Keep the POA original and certified translations handy. Expiry and scope should match the needed actions.
Developers, master developers, and sub communities
A developer builds and sells the project units. A master developer oversees the wider community fabric. Sub-communities sit under the master with separate service budgets. Your owner rights follow the jointly owned property framework. Review community rules before personal changes or renovations. Management entities publish house rules and permit steps. Keep those PDFs in your homeowner binder.
Completion certificate and building insurance
A completion certificate confirms the project meets authority checks. It supports handover and utility activations at scale. Buildings also carry master insurance for common areas. Owners keep insurance for contents and liability coverage. Read policy summaries shared by the management entity. Note claim contacts and response time commitments. Store certificates with your property documents.
Cooling, chiller, and maintenance windows
Some towers run district cooling with separate billing. Understand metering, deposits, and common cooling coverage. Maintenance windows govern contractor access and noise hours. Book ahead with building management for intrusive works. Follow lift booking rules to avoid penalties. Keep receipts for maintenance that may affect warranties. Communicate with neighbors when work might be disruptive.
Community rules and alteration approvals
Most communities require approvals for alterations. Provide drawings, material specs, and contractor IDs. Expect deposit and inspection requirements from management. Keep changes within structural and aesthetic guidelines. Save approval letters for future resale disclosures. Share manuals and approvals with incoming buyers. This builds trust and smooths the due-diligence phase.
Useful Arabic real estate words
Sak Mulk means title deed in many document references. Maktab Tawtheeq appears in rental contexts, mainly outside Dubai. Mulkia appears colloquially for ownership certification. Tasdeeq can mean attestation across public services. Masahe references area measurements in Arabic emails. Learning these terms eases conversations with site teams. Keep a small glossary on your phone for visits.
Red flags first-time buyers often overlook
Unclear payment references can complicate reconciliations later. Drafts without unit identifiers create confusion after months. Unregistered agents expose you to compliance risks. Verbal promises rarely survive transfer day realities. Missing NOC appointments derail planned handovers fast. Service charge disputes can delay access permissions. Old IDs trigger last-minute rescheduling at trustees.
Recommendations from the editor of www.few.ae
Recommendations from the www.few.ae editor land here for quick wins. Screenshot every milestone screen inside Dubai REST. Keep a single folder with SPA, Oqood, NOC, and Form F. Record call dates and the person who confirmed each step. Ask brokers to email bullet-point recaps after meetings. Maintain a printed checklist for transfer day and sign-offs. Share a copy with your lender so timelines stay aligned.
How to use this glossary during your search
Skim the headings before viewings to frame questions smartly. During calls, ask which document comes next and why. After meetings, tag emails by glossary term for recall. Before committing, verify every claim on an official page. Keep numbers out of chats until documents confirm details. Document control saves buyers from avoidable stress later. Discipline with paperwork pays off in Dubai’s fast market.
Where to verify definitions and processes
Use DLD and RERA pages for core rules and services. Check the Dubai REST app for digital deed and services. For off-plan, confirm escrow and Oqood entries early. For transfers, work through approved trustee centers only. Media guides help, but prefer official workflows first. Save links to FAQs and service directories for reference. Cross-check any change noticed on third-party blogs.
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