Conveyancing in Dubai

Who does the conveyancing

In Dubai, conveyancing is often coordinated by the agents on both sides, with the trustee office doing the registration. For straightforward cash deals this is usually enough. A specialist conveyancing firm or property lawyer is worth considering when there is a mortgage on either side, an off-plan resale, a company buyer or seller, a POA, or anything unusual in the title. Agree in writing who is responsible for each step and what any conveyancer charges.

Documents checklist

Buyer

Passport (and Emirates ID if resident), signed Form F, proof of funds or mortgage final offer, POA if applicable.

Seller

Passport, original or digital title deed, developer NOC, mortgage liability letter if mortgaged, utility final bills where required, POA if applicable.

Both

Agency details and permits, signed Form F, any addenda.

Names must match exactly across passports, deed and Form F. Small spelling differences cause delays.

Three common transaction types

Cash to cash

Buyer pays seller, DLD and agents by manager's cheque at the trustee office. Simplest route.

Cash buyer, mortgaged seller

The seller's bank must be repaid. Often the buyer pays the outstanding loan to the seller's bank first, the bank releases the mortgage, and the balance is paid at transfer. This needs careful sequencing and written confirmations — see selling a mortgaged property.

Mortgaged buyer

The buyer's bank attends or sends its cheque, the mortgage is registered at DLD at the same time as the transfer, and the bank holds the deed charge.

Transfer day

1. All parties or attorneys attend the trustee office with originals. 2. The trustee verifies identities, NOC, POAs and liability letters. 3. Cheques are checked: price to seller (or seller's bank), DLD fees, trustee fee, commissions. 4. The trustee submits the transfer; DLD issues the title deed to the buyer. 5. Keys, access cards and documents are handed over.

Fees on the day include the 4% DLD transfer fee (see DLD transfer fee explained) and other charges listed in buying costs.

After transfer

Update DEWA and chiller accounts, register with building management and Mollak, and change access codes. Check the new title deed details carefully — see title deed and Oqood.

Common mistakes

• Wrong payee names on manager's cheques
• NOC expiring before the bank is ready
• Seller's mortgage liability letter out of date on the day
• Missing originals or unattested POAs
• Paying the price before the trustee confirms all clearances

Timeline and dependencies

Conveyancing speed is set by whichever item is slowest. Typical dependencies are the developer NOC, the buyer's mortgage valuation and final offer, the seller's mortgage liability and release letters, and funds clearing from overseas. Map these at Form F stage and set a completion date that allows for them. Track each item weekly with a named owner. If a deadline slips, agree an extension in writing through a Form F addendum rather than relying on informal promises, because Form F sets out what happens if either party fails to complete on time. Read Form F explained for how those clauses usually work.