Glossary
Dubai property glossary
The terms you will meet when buying in Dubai, in plain English.
- DLD Dubai Land Department
- The government body that registers property ownership and transfers in Dubai and collects the transfer fee.
- RERA Real Estate Regulatory Agency
- The regulator of Dubai’s real estate sector, part of the Dubai Land Department.
- BRN Broker Registration Number
- The number on a licensed agent’s RERA broker card. Ask any agent for theirs.
- ORN Office Registration Number
- The registration number of a licensed brokerage.
- Permit number and QR code Advertising permit
- A permit identifying a property advert with the regulator, shown with a QR code that lets you check the advert’s details.
- Freehold Freehold ownership
- Ownership of a property and, where applicable, the land, which foreign nationals can hold in designated areas.
- Off-plan Off-plan property
- A property bought before it is completed, usually under a developer’s payment plan.
- Escrow account Project escrow account
- A regulated account into which off-plan buyers’ payments are paid and from which funds are released as construction progresses.
- Title deed Title deed
- The official proof of ownership issued after the transfer is registered.
- NOC No-objection certificate
- A document from the developer or community stating there are no outstanding charges that block a sale.
- Service charge Service charge
- An annual fee paid by owners to maintain shared areas and facilities, usually priced per square foot.
- Ejari Ejari
- The registration system for tenancy contracts in Dubai.
- Golden Visa UAE Golden Visa
- A long-term residence visa, with a property-investment route that commonly requires a property value of AED 2 million.