New Dubai Property Law Passed


Tuesday 13 March 2006 ushered in a new era of property ownership in Dubai, as a new property law allowing expatriates the right to own property was issued by His Highness Shiekh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.

The new law (no.7) gives the right of ownership of properties in the Emirate to both UAE and GCC nationals and companies wholly owned by them. It also gives full ownership rights to public joint stock companies.

The law states that 'Upon approval of the Ruler, non-nationals may be given the right to own a property in designated areas in the emirate on a freehold basis, to usufruct or rent for a period not exceeding 99 years.'

Under this new law, a real estate register shall be set up at the Dubai Lands and Properties Department, where data will be recorded in the register with undisputed legal title to prevent any future claims of forgery. Covering 11 chapters comprising 29 articles, the law extensively covers everything from definitions, general rules, the implementation system of property hold and the jurisdiction of the Dubai Lands and Properties Department.

It also outlines the powers and functions of the department, registration procedures and any alterations of the data on the register. According to the new law, a multi-storey property will be classed as one unit and all apartments of a single property unit will be issued with individual records stating the names of the owners.