A glossary of 10 Arabic terms in UAE real estate that you should know about

When you first reach the UAE and have to deal with the intricacies of renting your first property in Dubai or the rest of the country, you will definitely come across some rather unfamiliar property jargon, most often in Arabic. So we have put together a list of Arabic terms in UAE real estate that you should be aware of when you are looking to rent or buy property in the country.

1. Ejari

One of the most common real estate terms in the UAE that you will encounter if you are renting property in Dubai is Ejari. A rental contract registration system to standardise tenancy contracts in Dubai, the Ejari is also required for setting up DEWA connections, internet and phone services, alcohol licenses and more. Check out our detailed post on the Ejari online registration.

2. Tawtheeq

Similar to Ejari in Dubai, one of the Arabic terms in UAE real estate that you should familiarise yourself with while renting property in Abu Dhabi is Tawtheeq. A tenancy contract validation system in the capital, the Tawtheeq is required for a variety of services including electricity and water, visas and sponsorship of dependants, parking cards and more. Find out more about Abu Dhabi Municipality Tawtheeq in our detailed post.

3. Tasdeeq

Next on our list of commonly used Arabic terms in UAE real estate is Tasdeeq, an attestation system in Ajman that validates tenancy contracts and other real estate transaction. Read our detailed post to find out the details of all the services associated with Tasdeeq in Ajman.

4. Makani

The literal translation of this commonly used Arabic word in the UAE property market is ‘my location’. A smart navigation system, under the Makani, every building, house and public place in Dubai will be identified using a unique 10-digit code called “Makani number”,  so it’s easy to share the details of where you are. The Makani app is used extensively and even has an Emergency Location Reporting feature, so you can send out distress signals in times of any crisis. This was initially introduced in just Dubai but is now extended to properties across the UAE.

5. Trakheesi

While the Arabic words in UAE real estate that we have discussed so far have been more to do with the rental properties, this is one for real estate agents in Dubai. The Trakheesi system provides approvals and licensing for real estate professionals and brokerage firms in Dubai. It’s a smart system used to issue licenses and permits, approvals for integration with property listing portals, permissions for the creation of apps and websites and so on. It is linked with the Dubai Economic Development (DED) so all data associated with real estate companies are recorded in a government-approved fashion.

6. Musataha

Musataha is a type of contract where individuals can lease land from owners to construct properties or even plant on them. This contract is in place to encourage people to invest and build without having to purchase the land itself. The property which is constructed is similar to those on a leasehold, with the tenure of the lease under the Musataha right not exceeding 50 years. This right is governed by the UAE Civil Code, articles 1353-1360 and each emirate has its own laws and regulations in relation to the registration of Musataha. While the Musataha is not common in free-zone areas, some free-zone authorities such as Tecom and Dubai World Central have authorised the use of Musataha rights while constructing property. This is one of the Arabic words used in the UAE property market that not many of us may come across frequently.

7. Oqood

Oqood, which translates to contracts in Arabic, is a real estate portal that offers developers with a set of services to manage their off-plan projects. It even allows for the registration of initial sales without having to go directly to the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The Oqood portal not only automates off-plan project management, but it also regulates and monitors the off-plan property market in Dubai and functions on the basis of a set of rules and regulations set by real estate authorities. It creates transparency in off-plan sales and increases the trust that investors have towards this type of real estate in Dubai.

8. Estidama

More commonly used in the Abu Dhabi real estate market, Estidama is a building design methodology to facilitate more sustainable projects in the UAE. It is a key part of the “Abu Dhabi Vision 2030” drive and is derived from the Arabic word for sustainability. It should not be confused with green building rating systems such as LEED or BREEAM. It’s more of a set of ideas that you should practise if you are constructing with the goal to also be sustainable. There is a rating system within Estidama, called the Pearl Rating System. The Estidama program is mandated in Abu Dhabi – all buildings must achieve a minimum 1 Pearl Rating, and all government-funded buildings must achieve a minimum 2 Pearl Rating.

9. AL SA’FAT

Similar to the capital city’s Estidama, Dubai’s Al Sa’fat is an initiative to drive sustainable developments in the UAE. It has been conceptualised to make it mandatory to construct sustainable buildings in Dubai. It started off with the Dubai Municipality’s ‘Green Buildings Specifications’ which made sustainability mandatory for government buildings starting from 2011. Since March 2014 these standards have become mandatory for all new buildings. They focus on regulating the consumption of resources and promote the use of alternative sources of energy including the use of solar panels.

10. Ijarah

The rent to own (RTO) schemes in Dubai whereby you can convert your rent payments into equity on the property and eventually become owners of the property. This is a new scheme that has been introduced and is regulated by the Dubai Land Department.

There you have it! The 10 Arabic terms in UAE real estate that you should be familiar with. Which UAE property jargon in Arabic did you know about and what was new information to you? Let us know in the comments section below and stay tuned to the best property blog in Dubai for more such insightful information about the country’s evolving property market.