What will you charge me to sell my property?

Agency commission: The commission is usually 2% of the achieved sales price. (1% Seller + 1% Buyer)

What do you recommend in terms of presenting my property?

If your property is in an area where there is a high demand, you don't need to do any more than making sure the property is clean and ready for photography. Should your property fall into an area with lots of supply we will find a way to highlight the unique selling points.

What documents do you require from me?

Proof of ownership - which could be the Title Deed, Sales and Purchase Agreement, Mortgage Agreement and Proof of Registration on the Land Department's Registry or Interim Registry – a copy of your passport with a residence visa page (if applicable). If this is your first time with us, any final bills regarding DEWA and District Cooling and Service fees if you have lived in it or had your property tenanted.

What happens if I have a tenant living in my property and the lease is still valid?

A tenant has the right to stay until the end of his Tenancy Agreement. The buyer would have to take the tenant over, as you would need to advise the tenant at least three months before the end of the tenancy year that you are selling the property and then, you or the buyer, could come to an agreement with the tenant on whether they want to renew.

Who will access and show Buyers around my property?

Our agents will show prospective buyers around your property. All we require from you are the keys. If you still have tenants living in your property they have to agree to viewings. We will make sure not to disturb them and agree on a suitable time to come and view the property. If you yourself live in the property we will agree to the best timings with you. It is worth noting that buyers often feel more relaxed when the owner is not present.

If I accept an offer will my property still be viewed?

Not if we have already received a deposit from the buyer. 

What cost can I expect leasing my property?

Pre-Inspection fee:

First of all we would need to visit your property to get a better idea of its exact location and physical state to market it properly. This will include an inventory check and preliminary snagging list. Obviously, the larger the property the more work there may be for us to oversee so the cost will depend on our time involvement. Please ask one of our consultants for a quote.

External fees: Making the tenancy official

We will register the tenancy contract for you with RERA's online registration system Ejari. This is a compulsory and necessary step to protect you and the tenant in case of any disputes to be heard by the rents committee. The cost for registration currently is Dh310.

Agency fees: We will charge you an agency fee for marketing and leasing your property.

Please contact on of our consultants to discuss your requirements and the appropriate fee, which will be an 'x' percentage of the agreed tenancy value. We will only collect this fee once the property is successfully leased out.

What will you do to make sure my property is leased quickly?

We will market your property on all the major property portals and through our own website and client network. We will make sure your asking price is in line with market expectations.

What paperwork do you require from me to market my property?

• Proof of ownership, which could be the Title Deed, your purchase and sales agreement or mortgage agreement and proof of registration on the land department's registry or interim registry
• Copy of your passport, if applicable with residence visa page
• If this is your first time with us, any final bills regarding DEWA and district cooling and service fees if applicable

Who will access and show tenants around my property?

Our RERA certified, ask for the brokers license, agents will show prospective tenants around your property seven days a week. All we require from you is the keys, which we will keep safe and your property locked. If you still have tenants living in your property and they agree to viewings, we will make sure to disturb them as little as possible and agree on a suitable time to come and view with them. You may have some maintenance and repair crew entering your property to rectify any snags, paint and so on. We will have an agent there to supervise them.

How do I know which price to charge for rent?

We will advise you on the same, after we have carried out the pre-inspection and compared your properties to others in the area. Our expert letting agents will provide you with a professional valuation.

What do I have to do after accepting an offer?

You may have to discuss the terms of the rental agreement should the tenant or you want to add any conditions to the basic contract. We will collect a security deposit from the tenant we will pass on to you once the final agreement has been signed. We will hand over the keys to the tenant as soon as we have either the full rent or if agreed post-dated cheques in our hands and again pass them on to you along with the signed tenancy contract. Don't worry about utility connections we will take care of that for you.

What do I have to do for renewing the contract?

The tenant has to let you know three months by law, or as stated in the rental agreement, whether he/she intends to move out. Equally you would have to let to know the tenant in this time frame whether you require the property for yourself. This would be the time to renegotiate the rent and any other terms of the agreement. We can do this for you if you instruct us to, just consult on of our agents.

Why Invest In Dubai?

Foreign Ownership.

Dubai is in the process of creating an international property market from scratch, with foreign ownership of freehold. Thus buyers are given an exceptionally good deal to encourage them to be pioneers.

Tax Free Income.

Dubai is a city where a lot of people earn high tax-free salaries and are in a position to support higher house prices. This is a city with a 20 year track record of strong economic growth and will continue to attract foreign and regional inward investment. No Corporate Tax, No Income Tax & No Capital Gains Tax.

International Business Hub .

Long recognised as the leading regional trading hub of the Middle East, Dubai has now become an international business and re-export center. The country has developed rapidly over the past 10 years and has transformed itself from an oil dependent regional entrepot into a highly diversified international business center of global significance. Dubai is on the radar screen of the world!

Tourism.

Over 6.9 million tourists visited Dubai in 2014 and this figure is expected to grow to in excess of 15 million by 2015. Dubai is going from strength to strength.

Should I buy or rent commercial property in Dubai?

This really depends on the short and long-term objectives of your business. Renting a property gives the tenant the flexibility of expanding the size, moving locations, or even shutting shop without having exposure to the property market. On the other hand, purchasing a property protects the occupier from rent escalations, eviction notices, or other unreasonable landlord demands and allows scope for capital appreciation.

Which location is ideally suited for my business?

While offices tend to be focused in locations, such as, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, and Jumeirah Lake Towers, warehouses and labour camps have been centric towards industrial locations, such as, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

Can I buy anywhere in Dubai?

If you are a non-UAE national, you can only buy in areas designated specifically for expatriate freehold and leasehold sales.

Can I get financing in the UAE?

Yes, you can get finance for commercial property in the same way as residential. Both individuals and firms can borrow. Provided you have the right credentials and satisfy the simple requirements, lenders are willing to finance a purchase in a number of locations across the city.

Can a foreigner hold a freehold title in Dubai?

Yes. Freehold ownership of land and property for UAE and GCC citizens has been legalised, while allowing the same rights to non-GCC expatriates to pre-designated areas that will be approved by the Ruler of Dubai. In Dubai, commercial freehold property is available in many areas, including Business Bay, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Tecom, and DIFC.

Do I need commercial space to apply for a trade license?

Yes, the business requires a rented or owned commercial property in order to secure a trade license.

Does ownership of real estate in Dubai entitle me to apply for a Residence Visa?

Yes. Under Review by the UAE government.

What are the general steps involved in purchasing off-plan property in Dubai?

• Complete a reservation form and include a copy of your passport.
• Transfer the required down payment.
• On receipt of the contract from the developer, review, sign and return same.
• Make installment payments as per the agreed payment terms.

What measures are in place to protect my investment in off-plan projects?

In July 2007, the Dubai government issued Law No. 8 "Concerning Guarantee Accounts of Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Dubai". This law states that developers receiving off-plan payments for property that is not yet complete must open a guarantee account, commonly known as Escrow or Trust accounts. Payments received from buyers must then be deposited in these accounts, which are operated by approved banks. In order to withdraw funds from such an account, the developer must apply to the trust account manager with documentary evidence from an approved consultant that an agreed stage of construction has been reached. The Dubai Land Department, who oversee the enforcement of this law, must be informed every time funds are being released from the account to the developer.

What is RERA?

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority - RERA - has been formed under the affiliation of the Dubai Land Department. RERA will regulate real estate activities in Dubai (including the escrow law). With administrative and financial autonomy, RERA will supervise and regulate real estate developers, real estate agents, financiers and co-owners' associations.

Why have RERA and Escrow laws been founded?

RERA and escrow laws have been founded in order to eliminate the risks involved in Dubai real estate market hitherto. These had amounted to Property developers with no clear title to the development or the corresponding land.

• Lack of a proper record of real estate related activities in Dubai
• Lack of uniformity in rules and regulations concerning real estate
• Risks in the mortgage market that go against the property buyer's interests
• Uncertainty involved in the completion of a real estate project