Residents as well as non-resident foreigners can buy properties in the designated freehold areas of Dubai.
Your question: I am currently on a visit visa in Dubai, am I allowed to purchase a property here? How do I ensure that my property is transferred to me after completion?
You have the right to buy a property with a Visit Visa in Dubai. Both resident and non-resident foreigners can buy properties in the designated freehold areas of Dubai. Article 3 of Regulation No 3 of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-Nationals of Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai specifies land plots designated as freehold properties. The title deeds are issued by the Land Department in Dubai.
It is important to differentiate between buying a property off-plan or a completed one. The completed properties are more secured than the off-plan ones regarding completion dates and developers. An off-plan property can be transferred directly to the purchaser upon payment of the price and the documents can be signed and Land Department can be approached for registering the purchase.
The law organizes the purchase of off-plan properties through Executive Council Resolution No (13) of 2008 regarding the organization of the initial real estate registry in Dubai. This law imposes some restrictions on the developers in order to preserve the purchaser’s rights. However, despite this provision, some problems may raise regarding completion and construction issues.
Before buying a property in Visit Visa in Dubai, the buyer must make sure that the project has an escrow account and all the papers related to the property are correct and legal. We also advise that the original title deed should be physically seen and verified, and all the details mentioned in it should be clearly understood. The buyer can also request the seller or real estate developer to provide a no-objection certificate (NOC) that confirms to the buyer that the seller or owner has paid all due fees. The buyer can also run a check with the Land Department about the status of the project and whether the seller has an existing mortgage on the property. When the owner is selling a mortgaged property in Dubai, the transaction becomes slightly complicated. In this case, the owner must settle the original mortgage on the property in full before applying for the title deed NOC.
For any other information, do not hesitate to contact AZCO Real Estate, we will be more than happy to help.
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