Essential Documents and Checklist for Buying a House in the UAE

1. Personal Identification Documents

The first item on your buying-a-house checklist is the personal documentation that you must collate and submit to the relevant authorities. Your personal documents are some of the most important bits of the process as any issue in those may lengthen or hamper your homebuying journey.

Here are some documents you must keep in hand:

a. Passport and Visa

The UAE requires a valid passport copy for anyone wanting to buy a house in the country. While most Emirates do not require homebuyers to possess a visa beforehand, it is advised to consult an accredited real estate agent to understand the visa requirements for your situation.

A valid passport is a must, though.

b. Emirates Identification Card

Do not forget to add the Emirates Identification Card to your home-buying process checklist. It is an important document for all citizens and residents of the country and is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). You can apply for an Emirates ID at an accredited typing centre, Amer Centre or through the ICP website or app.

c. Power of Attorney Documents (if applicable)

If you have given another organization or person the right to handle property transactions on your behalf, a power of attorney document must be included. Ensure that you have given them the right power of attorney, as there are different kinds, including:

• General power of attorney
• Special power of attorney
• Property power of attorney

2. Financial Documentation

Your checklist before buying a house must include a set of documents presenting your finances - as they are pivotal in your homebuying journey. These documents include:

a. Proof of Income

You must be able to afford the home you will buy in the UAE. Thereby, you will have to provide documents such as salary slips, bank statements or income certificates demonstrating an appropriate level of income.

b. Mortgage Pre-Approval (if applicable)

If you are opting for a property mortgage, your pre-approval must be added to the checklist for a house.

A mortgage pre-approval basically confirms that the bank has accepted you for a mortgage - the papers for which show the approximate loan amount you will be lent. It is an evaluation of your financial position and should be done before beginning your homebuying process.

3. Property-Related Documents

What are some other things to look out for on your buying-a-house checklist? Your property documents! These documents will not only be an important part of your home-buying process but also must be kept safely for as long as you own the property.

a. Title Deed

The title deed is obtained as the final step of the process. It is a legal document that confirms your ownership of the property. It is issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and all title deeds are saved using blockchain technology.

b. No Objection Certificate (NOC)

If you are employed in Dubai, you may require an NOC from your employer, which states that you are allowed to buy property in Dubai.

c. Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA)

You cannot forget the SPA in your checklist before buying a house. It is a document normally required for off-plan properties - which outlines the legal obligations of both the buyer and seller under UAE property laws. It also includes details such as the property cost and closing date.

d. Floor Plan and Specifications

This is also generally required for off-plan properties. Buyers are given detailed floor plans, blueprints and models of the finished property before they set out to purchase it. If you are buying an off-plan property then ensure you have gone through the floor plans and specifications of the property.

4. Legal Considerations

Once you have addressed the documentation bits for your checklist before buying a house, here are some other steps to add:

a. Power of Attorney (if applicable)

As discussed above, if you’ve authorized another individual or organization to manage property transactions on your behalf, you must include a power of attorney document.

b. Verification of Developer's Credentials

It is very important to assess the developer whose property you will be buying. Researching about the developer will also help you understand whether they have a proven track record in completing quality projects on time.

Here is your checklist for a house developer:

• Check if they are licensed and registered with the DLD and RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority)
• Go through reviews and ratings of previous homebuyers who purchased from the developer
• Look through their project portfolio
• Determine whether the developer is transparent with the house-buying process (e.g. clear timelines)

5. Additional Considerations

It is important to ensure that your home buying process checklist addresses all possible facets. Some additional considerations to have include:

a. Hire a Qualified Real Estate Agent

A RERA-accredited real estate agent will not only facilitate your homebuying journey, they will make the process smoother and much quicker. Equipped with vast knowledge of the UAE property market, the right real estate agent will swiftly help you tick off your checklist before buying a house.

b. Conduct a Property Inspection

Do not forget to conduct a thorough property inspection before buying it. You can also hire people who will do a thorough check to ensure there are no hidden damages or renovations to be done by the owner before you sign the contract.

c. Understand Associated Costs

There are many hidden costs to buying a property, such as maintenance, legal fees, stamp duty, and more. Understanding the various costs will help you sort out your finances and even determine your budget for a property.

d. Community and Location Research

Do not underestimate the importance of community and location research in your checklist for a house. Consider factors such as the property’s proximity to key hubs and facilities, the safety levels, the kind of people that reside there, and more.

Conclusion

Now that you know the checklist of things to look for when buying a house, the next step is looking for the right real estate agent to guide you through the home-buying process in the UAE. Look no further than Gulf Land Property Developers.

With an impeccable track record in helping clients find their dream home in Dubai, GLPD provides tailored, end-to-end services - from initial consultations to helping you with your documentation. With GLPD, you can expect quick turnarounds, a hassle-free househunting process, and the best of what Dubai’s property market has to offer.

You can contact Gulf Land Property Developers for your real estate queries at:

• Email: hi@gulflandproperty.com
• Phone: +971 52 114 4000
• Website: https://www.gulflandproperty.com/contact-us