{"id":124854,"date":"2026-01-02T13:05:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=124854"},"modified":"2026-01-02T15:13:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:13:41","slug":"uae-real-estate","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/uae-real-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"United Arab Emirates: Real Estate"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-124854","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-real-estate","jurisdictions-uae"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Baker McKenzie<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/12\/Baker_McKenzie_Logo.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Baker McKenzie<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/12\/Baker_McKenzie_Logo.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Real Estate laws and regulations applicable in United Arab Emirates<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Overview<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal state comprised of seven emirates.<\/p>\n<p>Real estate matters are determined at emirate level. Real-estate rights are governed by local law in each emirate and by special regulations in the UAE\u2019s financial free zones, the most prominent of which are Dubai\u2019s DIFC and Abu Dhabi\u2019s ADGM. Ownership regimes vary by emirate and by zone (onshore or freezone) as do registration, leasing, developer obligations and foreign-investment rules.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the main legislation relating to real estate ownership?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Real estate ownership is primarily regulated at the level of each emirate. Within the free zones, such as the DIFC and ADGM, special property regulations apply to assets located within their jurisdictions.<\/p>\n<p>In Dubai, the main legislation governing Freehold Ownership is Law No. 7 of 2006 concerning Real Estate Registration, and for leasehold rights, Law No. 26 of 2007 concerning the relationship between landlords and tenants.<\/p>\n<p>In Abu Dhabi, freehold ownership is governed by Law No. 19 of 2005 concerning Real Estate Ownership and Law No. 3 of 2015 concerning the Real Estate Sector, while leasehold rights are regulated under Law No. 20 of 2006 concerning the Leasing of Premises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have any significant new laws which materially impact real estate investors and lenders come into force in the past year or are there any major anticipated new laws which are expected to materially impact them in the near future?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Abu Dhabi Law No. 2 of 2025, enacted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport and in effect since 29 August 2025, revises Law No. 3 of 2015 and introduces stricter escrow account controls and formal pre-termination procedures (notice, cure period and mediation) that developers must follow before terminating off-plan contracts. It also strengthens service-charge governance by owners\u2019 association.<\/p>\n<p>Further, Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025 Regulating Contracting Activities in the Emirate of Dubai introduces a unified contractor registration and classification system covering all contracting activities across onshore Dubai, its free-zones and special development zones, and sets clearer obligation for developers.<\/p>\n<p>At a federal level, Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 on Combating Money Laundering, the Financing of Terrorism, and the Financing of Arms Proliferation came into force in mid-October 2025. The law expands the scope of the UAE\u2019s anti-money laundering framework to the real estate sector, extending to \u201cDesignated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions\u201d (DNFBPs), including real estate agents, brokers and developers. It also empowers regulators to freeze assets for up to 30 days without prior notice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is ownership of real estate proved and are ownership records available for public inspection?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The UAE maintains a title registration system in each emirate. In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) is responsible for registering property interests under Law No. 7 of 2006 concerning Real Estate Registration. Dispositions of property in Dubai must be registered with the DLD to be legally effective.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, in Abu Dhabi, Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and its individual municipal land registries register property rights pursuant to Law No. 3 of 2005 (the Property Registration Law). Title in real estate is evidenced by title deeds issued by the relevant land registries, which are not publicly searchable without authorization, nor available for public inspection.<\/p>\n<p>Although the land registration system exists, the records are not available for public inspection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any restrictions on who can own real estate, including ownership by any foreign entities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. Under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 (Real Estate Registration Law), ownership rights in Dubai are limited to UAE and GCC nationals. Companies wholly owned by such nationals, as well as public joint stock companies (PJSCs), may also own real estate.<\/p>\n<p>Foreign individuals or entities (non-UAE\/GCC) may own property in designated areas for foreign ownership, either with full freehold interests ( no time restriction) or under long-term rights such as a usufruct, musataha or leasehold rights of up to 99 years.<\/p>\n<p>In Abu Dhabi, Law No. 19 of 2005, (as amended by Law No. 13 of 2019 and 14 of 2022) limits ownership outside the \u201cinvestment areas\u201d to UAE nationals and companies wholly owned by them. Foreign investors may own freehold properties within designated investment areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What types of proprietary interests in real estate can be created?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In addition to freehold and leasehold interests, alternative proprietary interests in real estate include long leasehold rights (referred to as \u201creal property rights\u201d in Dubai), usufruct rights, and musataha rights (a right to develop and use land owned by another for a period of time).Is ownership of real estate and the buildings on it separate?<\/p>\n<p>Yes, as under certain arrangements ownership of the land may be separate from building ownership or building rights. For instance, a musataha right will allow construction on land that is owned by another.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are common ownership structures for ownership of commercial real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The most common structure that we see for commercial real estate transactions would involve the incorporation of a company which will hold the land\/asset which allows any potential liability to be ringfenced. The land\/asset may be held by special purpose vehicles (SPVs) (usually incorporated in a free zone for increased flexibility) to further protect any individual investors as the SPV company would have been set up for the sole purpose of owning the land\/asset. This is a popular structure as it allows for a cleaner exit for investors as they are simply able to sell the shares in the company that owns the asset\/land and the transfer of the property will happen simultaneously with the share transfer. With that being said, on smaller scale transactions we do see assets\/land being held in the name of an individual rather than a company. Depending on whether the individual is a UAE national, GCC national or a foreign investor will influence any further restrictions on ownership or structuring considerations\/issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the usual legal due diligence process that is undertaken when acquiring commercial real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The usual legal due diligence process typically involves verifying title registration to determine how the land is held (i.e. freehold, private, granted) and checking for encumbrances, mortgages and charges that are registered against the property in question. If the real estate asset is being used for a specific purpose, it will be important to check zoning, permitted use, planning permissions, applicable building permits, and whether the property complies with any applicable master developer requirements. Foreign ownership restrictions will need to be considered depending on the acquiring party and the location of the real estate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legal issues (if any) are outside the scope of the usual legal due diligence process on an acquisition of real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>None.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the usual process for transfer of real estate, and when does liability pass to the buyer?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The usual process follows execution of a sale and purchase agreement, payment of a deposit by the buyer, and parties meeting at the relevant land department or registration authority to sign the title deed and transfer registration. At this stage, the land department or relevant authority will register the transfer as effected, issue the new title deed in the buyer\u2019s name and record any applicable encumbrances. Liability passes once title is transferred and registration is completed. For off-plan projects, completion certificates must also be obtained.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it common for real estate transfers to be effected by way of share transfer as well as asset transfer?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes, in particular where the real-estate asset is held via a company or SPV, the buyer can acquire shares in the company rather than a direct asset purchase. Such structures may have tax or structuring implications, along with additional requirements which include but are not limited to ensuring that the buyer\/seller has appropriate corporate approvals and ensuring the buying vehicle is incorporated in a way which allows for foreign ownership in the event that the ultimate beneficial owner is a foreign person (if applicable). Such transfers are less common for typical residential unit transfers but are adopted in more complex or broadly structured commercial transactions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">On the sale of freehold interests in land does the benefit of any occupational leases and income derived from such lettings automatically transfer to the buyer?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Provided the lease is validly registered and there are no provisions in the lease that would prevent t the lease from remaining in effect (for example, automatic termination upon a change of control), then this is generally the case. Practically, it will be important for the parties to inform existing tenants of any changes to ensure items like service charge, rent and any other outgoings are paid to the new owner once the sale occurs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What common rights, interests and burdens can be created or attach over real estate and how are these protected?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Common rights, interests and burdens, include but are not limited to: mortgages or charges over the property, service charges and maintenance obligations, easements and rights of way, usufruct, musataha and leasehold rights. There may also be restrictions on transfer including developer restrictions and registration requirements which normally seek to protect the interests of master developers and any regulatory bodies. Moreover, pursuant to Dubai Administrative Decision No. 154 of 2025, sellers, contractors, and consulting engineers who have a final court judgement confirming their rights, may register a statutory preferential right, granting them priority in satisfying their claims ahead of ordinary creditors and creditors of lower ranking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are split legal and beneficial ownership of real estate (i.e. trust structures) recognised?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>No, the split of legal and beneficial ownership of real estate is not recognised in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is public disclosure of the ultimate beneficial owners of real estate required?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The exact requirements vary by emirate, property type and whether the owner is a company or a natural person. Regulatory authorities such as the DLD requires disclosure if the UBO.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the main taxes associated with real estate ownership and transfer of real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>VAT is applicable in the UAE as of 1 January 2018 and applies at 5% on certain real-estate transactions, including new and existing commercial real estate sales. Additionally, each emirate imposes its own registration and transfer fees when title is transferred (for instance in Dubai this is calculated as a percentage of the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are common terms of commercial leases and are there regulatory controls on the terms of leases?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p><strong>Key commercial terms<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The main common terms in commercial leases include lease terms, renewal options, break rights, rent amounts and rent increases (either at annual indexation or a fixed percentage (further detail on limitations of rent increases below)).<\/p>\n<p>The key fees to consider are service charges, common area maintenance and utilities fees. Other common terms include repair and alterations obligations, termination rights, assignment and subleasing rights, restrictions on change of control and change of use.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Statutory limitations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are various regulatory controls and statutory limitations applying to such terms, depending on the relevant jurisdiction, including limits on rental increases, based on the difference between property rental value and the average market rental rate, which in Dubai is set according to a rental index produced and regularly updated by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). In Abu Dhabi, annual rent increases are not allowed to exceed 5% annually under Abu Dhabi Leasing of Premises Law No. 20 of 2006.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Registration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Long term leases in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi require registration, with a requirement to register long-term leases in Abu Dhabi through the Tawtheeq system, and a requirement to register leases with a term of over ten (10) years with the DLD.<\/p>\n<p>Short-term leases of less than four (4) years can be registered in Abu Dhabi through the Tawtheeq system, and are required to be registered, in Dubai, with the RERA, but need not be registered with the DLD.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What remedies are commonly available for landlords in the event of a tenant breach of a commercial lease?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Landlords generally have an overarching right to terminate the lease in the event of a tenant default (which has not been cured within the agreed cure period). A tenant event of default includes but not limited to, tenant\u2019s failure to pay rent on the due date (whether formally demanded or not), breach of any covenants in the lease, or if the tenant becomes bankrupt, enters into liquidation or takes the benefit of any act of insolvency.<\/p>\n<p>In the event of termination, landlords may claim for unpaid rents, damages, and costs of repair and exercise all of its rights in accordance with local law noting that typically, the tenant would not be able to claim for any compensation and have no claim against the landlord due to the tenant\u2019s breach of a commercial lease. In the event of a dispute, the judgements may be registered in the real estate dispute centres or local courts (as applicable).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are use, planning and zoning restrictions on real estate regulated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Each emirate has a municipality or planning authority responsible for issuing land-use zoning plans (termed \u201caffection plans\u201d or master plans) which indicate permitted uses (such as residential, hotel, commercial or industrial uses). Building permits are required for construction, alterations, change of use, utilities and road access.<\/p>\n<p>Projects require a master-plan permit and relevant planning \/ construction permits. In Dubai, developers seek approvals and the relevant permits from the Dubai Municipality (issues permits, enforces regulations for example) and the Dubai Development Authority. In Abu Dhabi, developers would seek approvals and the relevant permits from the Department of Municipalities and Transport (infrastructure planning), the Abu Dhabi Capital Development Code and the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Who can be liable for environmental contamination on real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Landowners and occupiers may be liable for contamination or hazardous waste under federal laws and local municipality laws. Liability may depend on use, permit history, and whether there is a statutory framework for remediation. This is an evolving area which requires specialist advice.<\/p>\n<p>In Dubai, the Dubai Municipality enforces federal and local environmental regulations and liability can extend to polluters (owners or operators who cause contamination), land \/ property owners and contractors or developers (who are responsible for spills or improper waste handling).<\/p>\n<p>In Abu Dhabi, the Environment Agency oversees pollution and environmental enforcement and such authority shall impose administrative penalties (including fines, license revocation or facility closures) for any environmental damage. The relevant entities would be responsible for pollution and are required to remediate and restore environmental damage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are buildings legally required to have their energy performance assessed and in what (if any) situations do minimum energy performance levels need to be met?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Large commercial and office developments are required to comply with building regulation and energy efficiency laws. The UAE and its emirates have in recent years introduced sustainability and energy-efficiency regulations (such as the Dubai Green Building Regulations issued in March 2014 and the Estidama Pearl Rating System administered by the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is expropriation of real estate possible?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Expropriation of land by the government for public benefit (such as infrastructure or urban development) is possible in the UAE and is subject to fair compensation. Developers and owners of granted land (i.e. land which is gifted from the government) may have reversion rights held by the government and there could be restrictions to expropriation for such granted land. Each emirate has its own laws governing the expropriation of real estate for public benefit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it possible to create mortgages over real estate and how are these protected and enforced?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. It is common to create mortgages over real estate in the UAE, in particular in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Such mortgages must be registered with the relevant authorities (in Dubai, with the DLD and in Abu Dhabi, with the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Registration Centre) to be enforceable against third parties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there material registration costs associated with the creation of mortgages over real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Yes. Registration of the mortgage or charge with the land department involves registration fees set by each emirate (a percentage of the value or a flat fee in addition to administrative fees).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it possible to create a trust structure for mortgage security over real estate?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Generally, trusts can hold UAE real estate and grant mortgages, provided that the trust and mortgage are properly registered and comply with applicable local laws. To note however, that this structure is not widely used in the market and would need to be considered on a case by case basis. If trust structures are used, they require specialist legal drafting and careful alignment with real estate registration requirements and local laws.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">2822<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/124854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}