Buying, selling, or investing in real estate involves many terms, abbreviations, and official forms. This A–Z glossary explains common Dubai/UAE real estate terms and the forms you’ll encounter so you can transact with confidence.
A
Agent (Real Estate Agent): A licensed professional who assists buyers and sellers in property transactions.
Admin Fee: A mandatory administrative charge (often associated with DLD) for processing property transactions and issuing official documents. Can also refer to bank mortgage processing and legal documentation fees.
Appraisal: An expert estimate of a property’s market value, usually done before a sale or mortgage approval.
Amenities: Facilities that add value or comfort to a property (e.g., pool, gym, concierge).
AMC – Asset Management Company: A firm that manages property portfolios or investments on behalf of clients.
B
Broker: A real estate professional who can own a brokerage and manage agents.
BRN (Broker Registration Number): Number RERA assigns to each Broker; must be used on advertising along with the ORN.
BOQ – Bill of Quantities: A detailed document listing materials, parts, and labour for construction.
BUA – Built-Up Area: Total area including internal/external walls, balconies, and utility spaces.
Buyer’s Market: Market condition where supply exceeds demand, giving buyers negotiation power.
C
CAR – Carpet Area Ratio: Usable area inside a property for carpets (excludes walls and common spaces).
Closing Costs: Fees (beyond property price) paid at final transfer — agent commission, legal fees, government charges.
Commission: Fee (usually a % of sale) paid to an agent or broker for facilitating a deal.
CMA – Comparative Market Analysis: Report comparing similar listings to estimate fair market value.
Contract: Legally binding agreement between buyer and seller outlining terms.
Collateral: Asset used to secure a debt (e.g., the property for a mortgage).
Client Information Sheet (CIS): Form given to the client after making a purchase.
D
DLD – Dubai Land Department: Government authority responsible for registration, regulation, and oversight of Dubai real estate.
Down Payment: Upfront payment by the buyer (often 10–25% of price).
Developer: Company or individual that plans, constructs, and sells real estate projects.
Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED): Authority that licenses business activities; DED works with RERA to classify real estate activities.
Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI): DLD’s educational arm offering certification and continuing education for brokers and professionals.
E
EJARI: Online system for registering tenancy contracts (ensures legal validity).
Escrow Account: Secure account where funds are held until transaction conditions are met.
Escrow Agent: Financial institution accredited by DLD to manage an escrow account.
Equity: Difference between a property’s market value and outstanding loan amount (your ownership portion).
F
FAR – Floor Area Ratio: Ratio of a building’s total floor area to land size; determines allowable construction density.
Freehold: Full ownership of a property and the land it’s built on, indefinitely (where permitted).
Floor Plan: Layout drawing that shows room arrangements and dimensions.
Final Offer Letter: Letter from lender to buyer giving final loan approval and term details.
Foreclosure: Lender repossessing collateral for non-payment of loan.
G
GCC: Gulf Cooperation Council — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE. GCC nationals may own property in most areas of Dubai.
H
Handover: Final stage where legal ownership and physical possession transfer from seller/developer to buyer.
L
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV): Percentage comparing loan amount to property appraised value (e.g., 80% LTV = 20% down).
Listing: A property officially on the market for sale or rent.
Leasehold: Ownership interest where owner has the structure but not the land; lease terms can be 10–99 years.
Lender: Bank providing the mortgage loan.
Letter of Intent (LOI): Preliminary agreement outlining buyer’s intent (usually not binding).
Lien: Liability against a property (e.g., unpaid service charges) that must be cleared before selling.
M
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA): Preliminary doc outlining terms agreed before the final sale contract.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Agreement showing intent to proceed with transaction including essential terms.
Market Value: Estimated current price a property would sell for in an open market.
MAF – Master Authorization Form: Document used in Dubai for certain approvals or ownership transfers.
Mortgage: Loan secured by the property used to finance purchases.
Mortgagee: The lender (bank).
Mortgagor: The borrower (buyer).
N
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): Contract where parties agree to keep certain confidential information private.
No Objection Certificate (NOC): Document requested by seller from developer stating no objection to transfer. Developers may charge up to AED 5,000 for an NOC on off-plan sales.
O
OQOOD: DLD-managed system that registers off-plan contracts between developers and buyers.
ORN (Office Registration Number): Number RERA assigns to each brokerage company; must be used with the BRN on advertising.
Off-Plan Property: Property bought before construction is complete — often with payment plans.
Offer Letter: Document issued outlining agreed price/terms before final contract.
P
Power of Attorney (POA): Legal document giving someone authority to act on another’s behalf.
Payment Plan: Structured schedule outlining when/how property payments are made (common in off-plan projects).
Permit Number: Unique reference for a listed property ensuring it’s legally registered with RERA.
Property Management: Service acting as liaison between owner and tenant; firms require DED/RERA licensing.
PSF: Per Square Foot (price/unit measure).
R
Registration Trustee: Licensed by DLD and owned by a UAE national to offer registration services outside DLD hours.
Rental Index: Created by RERA to give price ranges for rents by area and bedroom count; used for rental increase caps.
Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC): Judicial arm of DLD that handles landlord-tenant disputes.
ROI – Return on Investment: Profitability calculation usually expressed as a percentage.
S
Site Plan: Plan registered in the Property Register showing units and common areas.
SPA — Sales and Purchase Agreement: Sales contract containing price, conditions, payment schedule (commonly used for off-plan sales).
STR — Special Transaction Register: Daily log of transactions at a brokerage company as required by RERA.
Sub Developer: Developer of individual buildings within a master community; must adhere to master developer standards.
T
Title Deed: Legal document proving ownership of a property.
T&C — Terms and Conditions: Contractual rules both buyer and seller (or landlord and tenant) must follow.
Transfer Fee: Fee payable to DLD to transfer title; current fee is 4% and is typically split between seller & buyer unless agreed otherwise.
Tenancy Contract: Legal agreement between landlord & tenant defining rental terms and responsibilities.
U
URAR — Uniform Residential Appraisal Report: Standardized report form used by appraisers for residential valuations.
Uniform Commercial Code: Set of laws governing commercial transactions (may be referenced for commercial property deals).
Use & Occupancy (U&O): Agreement allowing a buyer to take possession before official closing.
V
VAT — Value Added Tax: 5% tax applied to certain real estate transactions in the UAE (not on most residential sales or rents).
Valuation: Professional assessment of a property’s worth.
Vacant Possession: Property is sold/rented empty and ready for immediate occupancy.
Y
Yield (Rental Yield): Annual return calculated by comparing achievable rent to property value (used to estimate ROI).
Z
Zoning: Local regulations determining how land/property may be used (residential, commercial, mixed-use).
Common Real Estate Forms (Dubai / UAE)
When buying, selling, or leasing property in Dubai, certain RERA and DLD-approved forms are required. Below are the commonly used forms:
Form A – Seller’s Agreement: Agreement between two licensed agents defining commission-sharing terms.
Form F – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) / Sale Agreement: Final sale contract listing property details, price, payment method, transfer date, and obligations; must be registered with DLD.
Form U – Termination Form: Used to end a listing agreement (Form A or B) and formally close commission obligations.
Form E – Agency Registration Form: Registers an agent or agency to officially represent clients (used in some emirates).
Tenancy Contract (EJARI Form): Standardized tenancy form registered on the EJARI portal — needed for visas, DEWA connection, and legal disputes.
In Summary
Understanding real estate terms, abbreviations, and required forms helps you avoid costly mistakes and make smarter investment decisions. Whether buying, selling, or renting, knowing the process keeps you in control.
Tip from Real Rewards: Our experts handle all RERA documentation and guide you through each step — from Form A to transfer of ownership — ensuring your transaction is smooth, transparent, and fully compliant.