Emirati Advocates

To file a refund claim with RERA in Dubai for a cancelled off-plan project

First confirm the project’s official cancellation status via the DLD website or Dubai REST app, then submit your claim through DLD channels like the portal or RVS system, as RERA oversees but DLD manages escrow refunds.​ Required Documents Gather these essentials before filing: Filing Steps Process Timeline DLD assesses claims, verifies escrow funds, and disburses

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You can file a RERA complaint online in under 15 minutes if you prepare your documents first.

Dubai owners and buyers often face late handovers, poor quality, or unauthorized ads. RERA handles regulatory violations through the Real Estate Violations System on the DLD website and the Dubai REST app. Contract cancellations, refunds, and old disputes go to the courts or the Rental Disputes Center. Here is a clear path that works. What

You can file a RERA complaint online in under 15 minutes if you prepare your documents first. Read More »

Most Dubai off-plan SPAs give developers a 6–12 month grace period for delay, then compensation kicks in.

Here is the current practice in plain terms. SPAs in Dubai usually set a grace window after the stated completion or handover date. Many contracts say 12 months. Some say 6. This is a contract right, not a statute. RERA’s 2025 framework treats delays that pass six months as actionable unless force majeure applies. Buyers

Most Dubai off-plan SPAs give developers a 6–12 month grace period for delay, then compensation kicks in. Read More »

Missed handover dates can unlock refunds, penalty payments, or a clean exit in Dubai.

Off-plan delays happen. Your Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and RERA/DLD processes shape your leverage. Most SPAs include a grace period of 6–12 months. Many set delay penalties, often a rate like 1% of the property price per quarter after the grace window. Force-majeure clauses exclude true external events, not poor planning. RERA registration and

Missed handover dates can unlock refunds, penalty payments, or a clean exit in Dubai. Read More »

Developers in Dubai can tweak finishes, but they cannot redraw your home without your say.

Here is the current practice in off-plan sales across DLD/RERA projects. Developers write small change rights into the SPA, and they do use them. Tile brands change. Paint shades shift. These do not change value or layout. Bigger moves, like removing a balcony or shrinking rooms beyond a set tolerance, need your written consent. If

Developers in Dubai can tweak finishes, but they cannot redraw your home without your say. Read More »

Developers can’t shrink your Dubai off-plan unit by more than 5%—and they can’t overhaul your layout without your consent.

What’s actually allowed (and what isn’t) Here’s the bottom line: developers in Dubai can tweak minor specs (think tile brand or paint shade) if your SPA allows it, but they can’t materially change size, layout, or core features without your approval. If they do, you have legal remedies that include compensation—or even cancelling the deal.

Developers can’t shrink your Dubai off-plan unit by more than 5%—and they can’t overhaul your layout without your consent. Read More »

Grace periods for missed off-plan property installments in Dubai typically range from 15 to 30 days

As outlined in most Sales and Purchase Agreements (SPAs) before penalties apply. Key Factors Developers send reminders upon missed payments, granting this short window—often 15-30 days—to settle without late fees or interest. Exact durations vary by developer and SPA terms, so review your contract for specifics. [ from fetch] Post-Grace Period After the grace period,

Grace periods for missed off-plan property installments in Dubai typically range from 15 to 30 days Read More »

Yes — you can get a UAE Golden Visa by buying an off-plan property in Dubai valued at AED 2 million or more. That’s the headline many investors miss

Especially if they still think they must pay 50% upfront. They don’t. The rule is tied to the purchase value—not how much you’ve paid to date. What’s really happening in Dubai right now Dubai has made the property-linked residency path far more practical. Off-plan buyers can qualify for the 10-year renewable Golden Visa once the

Yes — you can get a UAE Golden Visa by buying an off-plan property in Dubai valued at AED 2 million or more. That’s the headline many investors miss Read More »

To check if a specific off-plan project in Dubai is freehold or leasehold

Use official Dubai Land Department (DLD) tools like the Dubai REST app or website, along with the project’s location and developer details.​ Official DLD Verification Steps Access the DLD website (dubailand.gov.ae) or download the Dubai REST app, then navigate to “Services” > “Informative” > “Inquiry about a real estate project status” or “Property Status Enquiry.”

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Escrow Accounts: The simple way to keep your money safe in a deal

Here’s my bold claim: if you’re moving serious money without an escrow account, you’re taking unnecessary risk. Honestly, I see preventable disputes all the time—and nine times out of ten, an escrow would’ve kept both sides protected. What’s really going on in the market? Big transactions—property purchases, off-plan developments, even high-value services—move fast. Yet trust

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The fastest way to lose money on a property? Sign an SPA you don’t fully understand.

Buying in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE is exciting—but the Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) is where deals are truly won or lost. I’ve reviewed enough SPAs to see the same pitfalls repeat: vague property descriptions, fuzzy handover timelines, and missing protections for buyers. The good news? Once you know what to scan for,

The fastest way to lose money on a property? Sign an SPA you don’t fully understand. Read More »

If you can’t verify a project and its developer with RERA/DLD in minutes, don’t sign anything.

If you can’t verify a project and its developer with RERA/DLD in minutes, don’t sign anything. You have two reliable checkpoints in Dubai: the Dubai REST mobile app and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) online services. Use them before you transfer a dirham or commit to an off-plan promise. Why this matters (and why buyers

If you can’t verify a project and its developer with RERA/DLD in minutes, don’t sign anything. Read More »

Can you assign your off-plan unit before handover? Yes—if you tick the right boxes.

Here’s the bottom line: You can sell or assign your off-plan property in Dubai before handover. But it isn’t a free-for-all—it’s a regulated process with developer approvals, DLD registration, and specific payment thresholds. What’s actually happening in the market Assignment (or “resale before handover”) lets you transfer your Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) to a

Can you assign your off-plan unit before handover? Yes—if you tick the right boxes. Read More »

Reserving a Property in Dubai: Everything You Need Before You Pay

Buying in Dubai moves fast. If you prep your documents and understand the 10–20% reservation deposit, you can lock a unit the same day. What you need to reserve a unit From experience, buyers lose time chasing papers. Get these ready upfront: Off-plan extras you’ll likely see next: the Sale and Purchase Agreement and sometimes

Reserving a Property in Dubai: Everything You Need Before You Pay Read More »

Off-plan in Dubai can work—if you respect the risks and vet the developer hard.

What’s really risky about off-plan? I like off-plan for the entry price and payment plans. But here’s the thing: you don’t control the timeline or the final product. The biggest pitfalls I see: Dubai’s RERA and DLD add escrow and oversight that help, but they don’t replace diligence. How I check a developer’s track record

Off-plan in Dubai can work—if you respect the risks and vet the developer hard. Read More »

The banks currently offering off-plan mortgages in Dubai in 2025 include:

These banks typically finance up to 50% of the property value for off-plan purchases, subject to project completion and approved developers.​ Additionally, some banks are selective with the developers they finance, favoring major developers like Emaar, Nakheel, Sobha Realty, DAMAC, and Dubai Properties. It is essential to confirm with the bank that your chosen project

The banks currently offering off-plan mortgages in Dubai in 2025 include: Read More »

Off-plan homes in Dubai are usually cheaper — often by 10–30% vs. ready units.

Why that discount existsDevelopers sell early in the project timeline, so they price to entice and pair it with flexible payment plans. You’re trading today’s lower price for tomorrow’s finished building, which is why the upfront cost can be noticeably lighter than a ready property. The upside (and the catch)Buyers can see capital appreciation as

Off-plan homes in Dubai are usually cheaper — often by 10–30% vs. ready units. Read More »

Construction-Linked Payment Plans vs Downpayment Plans: What Actually Works Best?

Most buyers don’t want to pay big money before they see real progress on site. That’s exactly why construction-linked payment plans exist. They tie what you pay to what’s been built. What a CLP Really Means With a CLP, you start with a booking fee and a down payment, then you pay in stages as

Construction-Linked Payment Plans vs Downpayment Plans: What Actually Works Best? Read More »

Properties provide immediate availability and certainty but at higher prices and with less flexibility.

The decision depends on whether the buyer prioritizes investment potential and customization or immediate occupancy and lower risk.​ What are the financial risks of buying off-plan in Dubai The financial risks of buying off-plan property in Dubai include: Dubai regulations aim to protect buyers by requiring escrow accounts for payments and approvals before project commencement,

Properties provide immediate availability and certainty but at higher prices and with less flexibility. Read More »