FAQs

When navigating the complexities of buying property in Dubai, understanding the laws, requirements, and processes will help you make a smart and safe investment.

• Can Foreign Investors Purchase Property in Dubai?

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has designated specific properties as Freehold Properties:

○ Freehold properties grant foreigners the opportunity to own a piece land and the dwelling on it.

○ Home owners have the option to occupy, sell, or lease the property.

• Can You Benefit from a 1031 Exchange in Dubai?

As explained by 1031 Specialist Andrew Gustafson, CES®:

○ “The IRS allows international real property to be 1031 exchanged for other international real property given the fact pattern of holding the relinquished property satisfies IRS Revenue Procedure 2008-16.”

○ “Property in Dubai with a capital gain tax due can be deferred in a 1031 exchange when real property of greater value is acquired and held for at least two years.”

○ “In each of those two years, the property must be rented a minimum of fourteen overnights, with no more than fourteen personal overnights in each of the two years.”

• What is the UAE’s Golden Visa and How Can I Benefit?

One of the major benefits of property investment in Dubai is that property investors are eligible for residency visas:

○ Those with property investments amounting to $545,000 USD (or higher) may now apply for the Golden Visa (i.e. a 10-year visa), which grants exclusive benefits to long-term residents who are investors, talents, entrepreneurs, and more.

○ The Golden Visa provides the property investment with more stability.

○ Also, property investors may sponsor their family members and provide them with residency visa.

Click here to learn more about the UAE’s Golden Visa and requirements.

• Can a Foreign Investor Obtain a Mortgage?

Mortgages are typically available to investors once a project or off-plan property is built and just prior to hand-off. At this point, you can learn more about the requirements individual to the deal:

○ Usual requirements include being under the age of 55 and having a minimum of $50,000 in your bank account.

○ You can apply for a mortgage through both national and private banks.

○ You will also need to meet the mortgage requirements specific to the bank you are working with.

• What Are the Benefits of an Off-Plan Property?

Purchasing a property prior to being built can save money. You can typically enter into the deal at a lower price, for less of an investment – which serves to increase your ROI:

○ A down payment of 10% of the investment, plus a one-time 4% payment to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), is routine.

○ The developers will typically offer a payment plan for approximately 50% while the property is under construction, with the balance being due upon handover.

○ Some developers may even offer a post-payment plan spanning a period of 2 to 3 years after the handover.

○ A mortgage may be available to those who meet the requirements, which include being under the age of 55 and having a minimum of $50,000 in their bank account.

○ For off-plan properties in particular, there are opportunities for a 3 to 6-year payment plan and a 60% mortgage upon completion of the project.

• Is the Completion of an Off-Plan Property Guaranteed?

Dubai has put numerous regulatory enforcements in place for foreign investors, including those set by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). Under RERA, all off-plan projects must meet certain mandates to guarantee completion, including:

○ Developer ownership of the land for the project

○ Prior to off-plan sales, 20% of the project must be completed OR 20% must be held in escrow

○ Contractors are bound to a performance guarantee of 10%

• Is Any Money Held in Escrow?

In Dubai, government-controlled escrow accounts are a required part of the real estate investment process. The escrow account is a protected place to hold the buyer’s money until the project is completed for hand-over. The escrow account safeguards the interests of both the developer and buyer:

○ The developer doesn’t allocate the money elsewhere

○ All stages of the project are monitored to ensure completion, on-time.

The escrow account also protects buyers if the developer is unable to finish the off-plan project:

○ The government intervenes to secure a new developer for the project.

• Am I Permitted to Offer Short-Term, Long-Term, or Airbnb Rentals of My Property and What Are the Average Rates?

Foreign home owners are permitted to make their property available for lease, including privately and through services such as Airbnb:

○ The average rental rates are 12% to 15% for Airbnb and 7.5% for long-term rentals.

○ Bookings are permitted to be placed using credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard.

○ Renting parties have 24 to 48 hours to make wire transfer deposit into an escrow account for the property rental.

GG Benitez International is here to expertly guide you through Dubai’s real estate laws, regulations, and procedures, including but not limited to: off-plan properties, freehold properties, golden visas, escrow, project percentages, disputes, jointly-owned properties, taxes, mortgages, offers, and closings.

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