Stay in the know: All about title deeds in Dubai
The real estate industry in Dubai is considered among the best in the world. Buying property in the emirate is also a straightforward process. However, there are a few aspects investors need to be aware of to ensure that the purchase is as smooth as possible. Among them is the role of title deeds in Dubai. Here is all buyers need to know about such contracts in property ownership.
About Title Deeds in Dubai
A title deed is a legal document that confirms a property’s proof of ownership — giving owners the legal right to own said asset, lease it or rent it out. The document will be under your name if you’ve made the payment for the property in full. However if you used a mortgage to buy property, the original deed will be held by your lender or bank until the loan is fully paid. A copy of it will be provided to you. This process is vastly different compared to paying the full price of said real estate upfront.
Details
Some essential details that you may find in the title deed are as follows:
- Plot number
- Number of the municipality
- Issue date
- Property type
- Building number in case of apartment
- Status of mortgage (if applicable)
- Size of area
- Value of purchase
- QR code
Types
There are two primary types of title deeds in the emirate.
Freehold Title Deeds
There are some new rules for foreigners buying property in the UAE. A freehold title deed gives full ownership of a property. This includes the land that it is built on. Foreigners are allowed to purchase properties in freehold areas in Dubai like Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Emirates Hills.
- Oqood: Those opting for off-plan freehold properties have to rely on Oqood in Dubai — a convenient online service by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) for all types of real estate contracts between buyers and developers in the off-plan market.
- Regular Deed: You will receive a regular title deed from the developer if you purchase the property immediately.
- Fractional Title Deed: Those that opt to purchase a fraction of a unit will receive this deed.
All essential records of properties, including title deeds, are held by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
Leasehold Title Deed
Leasehold property owners have ownership of real estate for a limited time — typically 99 years. However, the land remains the property of the government or developer. Once the lease period ends, the property’s ownership is reverted to the freeholder.
Transferring Title Deeds
The ownership of a property has to be transferred from the original owner to the buyer. This can be done via the main headquarters of the Dubai Land Department. On the authority’s official website, the name of the service is Request for Transfer of Ownership.
Documents
Here are the required documents:
- Copy of the owner’s valid passports (for non-residents)
- Letter from the transferor
- Official Power of Attorney or UAE ID of the owner
- Trade licences for companies
Process
Here is how the transfer of title deeds in Dubai works:
- Visit the main Customer Happiness Centre of the DLD on Baniyas Road
- Complete and submit the necessary documents
- Wait for the data to be entered
- Pay the required fee and receive the receipt
- An employee will verify the transaction data
Once these steps are completed successfully, you will receive a link with the digital version of your title deed and blueprint via email.
Fees
You can expect to make these payments during the transfer:
- Floorplan (villa or apartment): AED 250
- Issuance of certificate of title deed: AED 250
- Plot map for land outside the jurisdiction of Dubai Municipality: AED 100
- Land map for combined map with Dubai Municipality: AED 225
- Knowledge fee: AED 10
- Innovation fee: AED 10
You can make the mentioned payments via cash, check, credit card or ePay.
How to check authenticity
You can check a title deed online in Dubai. Verifying title deed via Dubai Rest app is easy once you know what to do. You can also carry out Dubai Land Department Title Deed Verification via the authority’s official website.
FAQs About Title Deeds in Dubai
How long does the title transfer take?
It takes 25 to 30 minutes for a title deed to be transferred. It comes with a title deed number in Dubai, which acts as a unique identifier assigned to the property.
What is the difference between leasehold and freehold properties?
Leasehold allows property ownership for a fixed term while freehold offers absolute ownership. Before opting for either one, consider the differences between leasehold and freehold properties in Dubai.
What is Ejari?
Ejari is a government-operated programme responsible for the regulation of all tenancy contracts in Dubai.
That is all prospective buyers must know about title deeds in Dubai. Looking to invest in the capital instead? Learn all about title deeds in Abu Dhabi before you commit. Stay tuned for more updates on the UAE property market!