How to verify a Dubai agent and a property advert

Check the agent

• Ask for the agent’s BRN and the brokerage ORN, and confirm them on the Dubai Land Department or RERA register.
• Check the brokerage’s name matches the one on any contract or payment instructions.
• Be cautious of pressure, unusual urgency or requests to pay to a personal account.

My details are on the about page and in the footer of every page.

Check the advert

• Under Dubai Land Department and RERA rules, a property advert, including on social media, must carry the advertising permit number and the name of the advertising agency, and the DLD expects a QR code on all property adverts.
• The details you see after scanning should match the advert, and the permit should belong to the same agency that is advertising. Fines for non-compliant adverts start at AED 50,000.
• Off-plan adverts must also show the developer, project name and number, location and the escrow account number.
• If there is no permit or QR code, or the details do not match, ask why before going further.

Check an off-plan project

• The project and developer should be registered with the Dubai Land Department.
• Payments should go to the project’s escrow account, not to a personal or general company account.
• Your contract should be registered with the Dubai Land Department.

Before you pay anything

• Confirm bank details by a second route, for example a phone call to a number you found yourself.
• Get receipts from the developer or the official channels for every payment.
• Take independent legal advice on contracts you do not fully understand.

Rules and processes are updated by the authorities. Use the official Dubai Land Department channels to confirm the current steps.

Frequently asked questions

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Fees, lending rules and visa criteria change: check with the Dubai Land Department, your bank or a qualified adviser before you commit.