UAE property terms, explained.
Every term you will meet buying property in the UAE, from off-plan and freehold to DLD fees, escrow and the Golden Visa, each in one plain line. No jargon, no filler.
Buying & off-plan
Off-plan property
A unit bought before or during construction, straight from the developer, usually on a payment plan. Cheaper entry, more time risk.
Ready (secondary) property
A completed unit you can move into or rent from day one, bought from the developer or a current owner.
Payment plan
The instalment schedule on an off-plan purchase, for example 60/40 or 10/90, sometimes stretching past handover.
Post-handover plan
Instalments that keep running after you get the keys, spreading the cost beyond completion.
EOI (Expression of Interest)
A refundable deposit that holds your place in a launch queue before units are formally released.
Oqood
The interim off-plan registration recorded by the DLD before the final title deed is issued.
Handover
The point where the developer completes the unit and hands you possession.
Snagging
The pre-handover inspection where you log every defect for the developer to fix before you accept the keys.
Ownership & legal
Freehold
Full ownership of the unit and its share of the land, open to all nationalities in designated freehold areas.
Leasehold
A long lease of a property, often up to 99 years, common outside the freehold zones.
Title deed
The DLD document that proves ownership of a completed property.
SPA (Sale and Purchase Agreement)
The binding contract between buyer and developer or seller that sets price, plan and handover terms.
NOC (No Objection Certificate)
The developer's sign-off that a unit has no unpaid dues, required before ownership can transfer.
Usufruct / Musataha
Long-term rights to use or develop land without owning the freehold, used in parts of Abu Dhabi.
RERA
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the DLD arm that regulates brokers, developers and escrow accounts.
Ejari
The Dubai system that registers tenancy contracts and makes them official.
Costs & finance
DLD fee
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee, 4% of the price, the single biggest transaction cost.
Service charge
The annual per-sqft fee for building maintenance and shared facilities, paid for as long as you own.
Escrow account
The regulated account that holds off-plan buyer money and releases it to the developer against construction milestones.
LTV (Loan to Value)
The share of the price a bank will lend. Expats typically get up to 80% on ready homes under AED 5M.
Mortgage cap
Central Bank limits on how much banks can lend, set by price band and buyer type.
Gross vs net yield
Gross yield is annual rent over price. Net yield takes off service charges and costs, and is the number that matters.
Price per sqft (psf)
Price divided by built-up area, the standard way to compare value across units and communities.
DEWA
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the utility you connect and pay a deposit to on handover.
Residency & visas
Golden Visa
A renewable 10-year UAE residence visa you can get on a property purchase of AED 2M or more, even off-plan.
Property investor visa
Shorter residence visas tied to smaller property values, a rung below the Golden Visa.
Emirates ID
The national identity card every UAE resident holds, needed for banking, utilities and tenancy.
Tax residency
The UAE charges no personal income tax and no annual property tax. A tax residency certificate can support your status elsewhere.
Market & data
DLD (Dubai Land Department)
The government body that registers every Dubai transaction and publishes the official market data.
ADREC
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, the emirate's equivalent registrar and data source.
Absorption
How quickly new supply is sold or leased once it comes to market.
Know the terms. Now get a shortlist with the math done.
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