Dubai Real Estate Terms Explained: A Buyer’s and Seller’s Glossary

Dubai property comes with its own vocabulary. These are the terms you are most likely to meet.

The authorities

• DLD — Dubai Land Department. The government body that registers every sale, mortgage and title deed.
• RERA — Real Estate Regulatory Agency. The DLD’s regulatory arm: licenses brokers and developers, oversees escrow accounts and service charges.
• Trustee office. A DLD-approved office where transfers are completed.

Ownership

• Freehold. Outright ownership with no time limit, available to foreigners in designated areas.
• Leasehold. The right to a property for a fixed term, up to 99 years.
• Title deed. The official certificate of ownership.
• Oqood. The interim registration of an off-plan purchase, until the title deed is issued.

Buying and selling

• Form A. The listing agreement between a seller and a broker.
• Form B. The agreement between a buyer and a broker.
• Form F (MOU). The sale contract between buyer and seller.
• SPA — Sale and Purchase Agreement. The contract between a buyer and a developer for off-plan property.
• NOC — No Objection Certificate. The developer’s confirmation that a property is clear to be sold.
• Manager’s cheque. A bank-guaranteed cheque used to pay at transfer.
• Escrow account. The regulated account that holds off-plan buyers’ payments.
• Handover. When a completed off-plan property is delivered to the buyer.
• Snagging. Inspecting a new property for defects — see our snagging checklist.
• Distress sale. A sale below market value because the owner needs to sell quickly — see what is a distress sale.

Finance

• LTV — loan to value. The share of the property’s value a bank will lend.
• EIBOR. The Emirates Interbank Offered Rate, which variable mortgage rates follow.
• Pre-approval. A bank’s confirmation of how much it will lend you.
• Payment plan. The schedule of instalments on an off-plan purchase.

Renting and running costs

• Ejari. The mandatory registration of a tenancy contract.
• DEWA. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
• Service charges. Annual fees for the upkeep of shared areas — explained here.
• Chiller / district cooling. Centrally supplied air-conditioning, billed separately in some buildings.
• Rental yield. Annual rent as a percentage of the price — how to calculate it.

Sizes and types

• BUA — built-up area. The internal floor area of a villa or townhouse.
• Plot size. The land that comes with a house.
• Off-plan. Sold before or during construction.
• Ready / secondary. Completed property, new or resale.

Next: the step-by-step buying guide.

Fees and rules change. Confirm current figures with the relevant land department or your advisor before you commit — this guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.