# Real estate: laws, standards and reference sources

> The real estate laws of Dubai, the rules of the United Arab Emirates and of Abu Dhabi, the international standards of valuation and the public data, each with its date, its status and its primary source. 2026 edition, reviewed 9 October 2026. Canonical: https://reference.myneogroup.com/knowledge/real-estate/

This page lists the main texts and sources that frame real estate on 9 October 2026, with a focus on Dubai: registration and ownership, escrow accounts and off-plan sales, tenancy, jointly owned property, the strategies and the programmes of the Dubai Land Department, the rules of the federation and of Abu Dhabi, the international standards of valuation, measurement and accounting, and the public data. Each entry gives the official name, the date, the status and a link to the primary source.

## Declaration of interest

My NEO Group works in real estate through NEO Real Estate Investment, whose legal entity is NEO REAL ESTATE L.L.C, in Dubai. This page is published by My NEO Group as a reference. It is not legal, tax or investment advice. It recommends no property, no project and no developer, and it gives no price forecast.

## How the law of Dubai frames ownership, off-plan sales and rents

Ownership. The Dubai Land Department states that, under the law on real property registration, citizens of the United Arab Emirates and of the Gulf Cooperation Council may own property across the Emirate, and that other nationals may own property in the areas set for that purpose, known as freehold areas.

Off-plan sales. A developer who sells units before completion works with an escrow account in the name of the project, in which the payments of buyers and of financiers are deposited, and registers each sale in the provisional register, through the Oqood portal, within 90 days of the signature of the contract.

Rents. Tenancy contracts are registered in the Ejari system. At renewal, a decree of 2013 caps the increase of the rent by comparison with the average rent of similar units: no increase when the rent is up to 10% below that average, and at most 20% when it is more than 40% below.

- [Questions and answers of the Dubai Land Department](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/faq/)
- [Compendium of the real estate legislation of Dubai](https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf)

## Dubai

The Dubai Land Department registers real property and regulates the real estate sector of the Emirate, with its Real Estate Regulatory Agency. Most of the laws below are listed in the official compendium of the real estate legislation of Dubai and on the pages of the Department. NEO Real Estate Investment, a company of My NEO Group, is licensed in Dubai.

| Text or source | Type | Date | Status | Primary source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Law No. (7) of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration in the Emirate of Dubai** - Law on the registration of real property, amended by Law No. (7) of 2019. The Dubai Land Department states that citizens of the United Arab Emirates and of the Gulf Cooperation Council may own property across the Emirate, and that the property of other nationals may be registered in the areas set for that purpose. | Law | 2006 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Regulation No. (3) of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-UAE Nationals of Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai** - Regulation that sets the areas where persons who are not nationals of the United Arab Emirates may own real property in Dubai. Later regulations and resolutions, up to 2019, amended it and added areas. | Regulation | 2006 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Property Development in the Emirate of Dubai** - Law that applies to the developers who sell units off-plan in Dubai. The payments of buyers and of financiers are deposited in an escrow account in the name of the project. The Dubai Land Department states that 5% of the total paid is retained for one year after completion. | Law | 2007 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Real Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai** - Law on the register of units sold off-plan, amended in 2009 and in 2017. The Dubai Land Department states that a developer registers the sale in the provisional register, through the Oqood portal, within 90 days of the signature of the contract. | Law | 2008 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai** - Tenancy law of Dubai, amended by Law No. (33) of 2008. A party that wishes to change the terms of the contract or the rent gives a notice of at least 90 days before expiry, unless agreed otherwise. Tenancy contracts are registered in the Ejari system. | Law | 2007 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Decree No. (43) of 2013 Determining Rent Increase for Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai** - Decree issued on 18 December 2013. It caps the increase of the rent at renewal by comparison with the average rent of similar units: no increase when the rent is up to 10% below the average, then 5%, 10%, 15% and at most 20% as the gap widens. | Law | 18 December 2013 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai** - Decree that established the Rental Disputes Centre as the specialised judicial body for disputes between landlords and tenants in Dubai, including in the free zones. Since 2019 the Centre also hears disputes on jointly owned property. | Law | 2013 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/en/about-rdc/about-rental-disputes-center/ |
| **Law No. (6) of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai** - Law issued on 4 September 2019 on the ownership, the management and the service charges of jointly owned property. It repealed Law No. (27) of 2007. The Mollak system of the Dubai Land Department monitors the service charges. | Law | 4 September 2019 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Law No. (4) of 2019 Concerning the Real Estate Regulatory Agency** - Law issued on 4 September 2019, which superseded Law No. (16) of 2007. The Real Estate Regulatory Agency, a sector of the Dubai Land Department, manages real estate licensing and training and regulates the escrow accounts of developments. | Law | 4 September 2019 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Law No. (7) of 2013 Concerning the Land Department** - Law issued on 18 September 2013: the framework that entrusts the Dubai Land Department, established in January 1960, with its responsibilities. The Department lists among its core services the registration of property and title deeds, the licensing of brokers and developers, the registration of leases, valuations and open data. | Law | 18 September 2013 | In force | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Real Estate Legislation - compendium of the laws of Dubai** - Compendium published on the website of the Rental Disputes Centre, dated 5 October 2023. Besides the texts above, it holds the law of 2008 on mortgage, the by-law of 2006 on the register of real property brokers and the resolution of 2015 on the profession of real property valuation. | Data source | 5 October 2023 | Published | https://rdc.gov.ae/media/ffxnvw2u/real-estate-legislation.pdf |
| **Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033** - Strategy cited by the Dubai Land Department in September 2026. It targets AED 1 trillion in the value of real estate transactions and a contribution of the sector to the economy of Dubai of AED 73 billion. | Strategy |  | Policy document | https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/news-media/dubai-land-department-brings-dubai-re-connect-to-bengaluru-to-expand-real-estate-investment/ |
| **Smart Rental Index** - Index of the Dubai Land Department that uses the classification of buildings to set indicative rental values and is updated every year. It covers the residential areas of Dubai, including the free zones, and excludes the Dubai International Financial Centre. | Infrastructure |  | Live | https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/faq/ |
| **Real Estate Tokenisation Project** - Pilot launched by the Dubai Land Department on 19 March 2025, with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the Dubai Future Foundation, for the fractional ownership of real estate. It is a pilot under the Real Estate Evolution Space initiative of the Department. | Project | 19 March 2025 | Pilot | https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/news-media/dubai-land-department-launches-pilot-phase-of-the-real-estate-tokenisation-project/ |
| **First-Time Home Buyer Programme** - Programme of the Dubai Land Department for residents of the United Arab Emirates, aged 18 or more, who own no freehold home in Dubai and seek a property below AED 5 million. The Department states that more than 3,200 residents had bought a first home through it by the end of June 2026. | Programme |  | Live | https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/first-time-home-buyer-overview/ |
| **Ejari and Oqood registration systems** - Systems of the Dubai Land Department. Ejari registers tenancy contracts. Oqood registers the sales of units off-plan. For the sale of a completed property, the Department lists a registration fee of 2% for the seller and 2% for the buyer. | Infrastructure |  | Live | https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/ |
| **Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan** - Urban plan launched in 2021, the seventh development plan of the Emirate since 1960. Among its targets, nature reserves and rural natural areas make up 60% of the area of the Emirate, and green and recreational spaces double in size. | Strategy | 2021 | Policy document | https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/transport-and-infrastructure/dubai-2040-urban-master-plan |
| **Real Property Law - DIFC Law No. 10 of 2018** - Law of the Dubai International Financial Centre enacted on 5 November 2018. It sets up a register of real property within the Centre, kept by a registrar. Its consolidated version is dated May 2026, after an amending law enacted on 11 May 2026. | Law | 5 November 2018 | In force | https://www.difc.com/business/laws-and-regulations/legal-database/difc-laws/real-property-law-difc-law-no-10-2018 |

## United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi

Federal rules that touch real estate, and the framework of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

| Text or source | Type | Date | Status | Primary source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Golden visa for real estate investors** - Long-term residence for investors in real estate. The Dubai Land Department and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security give a minimum property value of AED 2 million. The official portal of the Government gives a minimum capital of AED 2 million. The official pages read for this edition do not all give the same duration, so no duration is printed here. | Scheme |  | Live | https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/golden-visa |
| **Federal Decree by Law No. (10) of 2025 Regarding Anti-Money Laundering, and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing** - Federal decree-law issued on 30 September 2025 and in force since 14 October 2025. Its executive regulations, Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025, in force since 14 December 2025, list real estate brokers and agents among the designated non-financial businesses and professions, when they conclude transactions or settlements on behalf of their customers. | Law | 30 September 2025 | In force | https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/3314 |
| **Anti-money laundering rules for real estate agents and brokers** - The Ministry of Economy and Tourism supervises real estate agents and brokers for anti-money laundering purposes. Under a circular of 24 June 2022, they file a Real Estate Activity Report with the Financial Intelligence Unit for a freehold sale or purchase that involves payments in cash of AED 55,000 or more. A supplemental guidance of March 2026 states that the report is also required for payments made with a virtual asset. | Guideline | 24 June 2022 | Supervisory guidance | https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/aml |
| **Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre** - The Abu Dhabi Media Office announced on 2 November 2023 the launch of the centre by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, to bring the real estate sector of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi under one regulatory framework. It launched a rental index on 20 August 2024. The Abu Dhabi Media Office reports real estate transactions of AED 142 billion in 2025, from 42,814 transactions. | Public body | 2 November 2023 | Active | https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/infrastructure/department-of-municipalities-and-transport-launches-abu-dhabi-real-estate-centre/ |
| **Law No. (3) of 2015 concerning the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector in Abu Dhabi** - Law of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, amended by Law No. 2 of 2025. Decisions announced on 27 March 2026 implement it, among them rules on the payments made from the escrow accounts of projects and on jointly owned property. | Law | 2015 | In force | https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/infrastructure/department-of-municipalities-and-transport-issues-regulatory-decisions-to-enhance-transparency-and-governance-in-real-estate-sector-in-abu-dhabi/ |

## International standards

Standards of valuation, of measurement and of accounting used in real estate, and the guidance of the Financial Action Task Force for the sector.

| Text or source | Type | Date | Status | Primary source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **International Valuation Standards** - Standards of the International Valuation Standards Council. The current edition has been effective since 31 January 2025. | Standard | 31 January 2025 | Current edition | https://ivsc.org/product/ivs-effective-31-january-2025-copy/ |
| **RICS Valuation - Global Standards (Red Book)** - Standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, in the edition effective since 31 January 2025. The edition aligns with the International Valuation Standards and reproduces their text. | Standard | 31 January 2025 | Current edition | https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/valuation-standards/red-book/red-book-global |
| **International Property Measurement Standards: All Buildings** - Standard for the measurement of buildings published on 16 January 2023 by a coalition of 88 property organisations. It supersedes the earlier standards for single classes of assets. | Standard | 16 January 2023 | Current edition | https://ipmsc.org/standards/ |
| **IAS 40 Investment Property** - Accounting standard on property held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation. After an initial measurement at cost, an entity chooses the fair value model or the cost model for all its investment property. The revised standard was issued in December 2003. | Standard | December 2003 | In force | https://www.ifrs.org/issued-standards/list-of-standards/ias-40-investment-property/ |
| **IFRS 16 Leases** - Accounting standard issued in January 2016 and effective for annual periods that begin on or after 1 January 2019. A lessee recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases of more than 12 months, unless the asset is of low value. | Standard | January 2016 | In force | https://www.ifrs.org/issued-standards/list-of-standards/ifrs-16-leases/ |
| **FATF Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach to the Real Estate Sector** - Guidance of the Financial Action Task Force published on 26 July 2022, for real estate professionals, supervisors and regulators. It covers customer due diligence, including the beneficial owner of a transaction. The FATF notes that it does not reflect the later changes to its standards. | Guideline | 26 July 2022 | Current edition | https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Fatfrecommendations/Guidance-rba-real-estate-sector.html |

## Public data

Public sources of data. Figures are those of the publisher named, for the period named.

| Text or source | Type | Date | Status | Primary source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Open data of the Dubai Land Department** - Nine searchable datasets with download: transactions, rents, projects, valuations, land, buildings, units, brokers and developers. The Department reports 104 projects completed in the first half of 2026, 38.7% more than a year earlier, and 24,537 units delivered. | Data source |  | Live | https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/open-data/real-estate-data/ |
| **BIS residential property price statistics** - Statistics of the Bank for International Settlements on residential property prices in about 60 countries, with more than 300 series. The data set is updated every month. | Data source |  | Live | https://data.bis.org/topics/RPP |

## My NEO Group and real estate

NEO Real Estate Investment is the real estate company of My NEO Group, active in luxury real estate investment and high-end construction in prime locations.

This page lists public texts and sources. It makes no statement on how any company, any property or any project relates to them.

## How this page was made

- Each entry was read on the official page linked, on 8 and 9 October 2026. A fact that could only be confirmed on a secondary source is not printed.
- Each entry gives the official English name when one exists. For texts with no official English title, the English name is a translation.
- The status is the one shown by the primary source on the date of this edition. Laws and timelines change: check the primary source before relying on a date.
- Texts are summarised in the words of this site. The summaries do not replace the texts.
- This page is information. It is not legal, tax or investment advice, and it gives no price forecast.

Regulated services are provided only by licensed entities, in the jurisdictions where they are authorised. Nothing on this site is an offer of securities or investment advice.