The Dubai Buying Process
Title deed, developer NOC, Oqood, power of attorney, Trakheesi permits, snagging and handover — each step of a Dubai purchase, with sourced fees and FAQs.
- 01
Title Deed in Dubai
The title deed is the Dubai Land Department's record that you own a registered unit or plot. For ready homes it is issued at the trustee office on transfer day; for off-plan homes the Oqood registration converts to a title deed after completion.
- 02
Developer NOC for Property Transfer
Before the DLD will transfer a unit, the master developer must confirm there are no outstanding service charges or dues. That confirmation is the No Objection Certificate, and it is requested by the seller.
- 03
Oqood Registration for Off-Plan Homes
Oqood is the DLD's interim register for off-plan sales. Registering your sales agreement there records your interest in the unit before it exists, links your payments to the project escrow account and prevents the same unit being sold twice.
- 04
Power of Attorney for Dubai Property
A power of attorney lets a trusted representative sign at the trustee office on your behalf. For property it must be specific, legalised for use in the UAE and presented in Arabic.
- 05
Trakheesi Advertising Permit
Trakheesi is the DLD system that issues advertising permits for property. A listing without a valid permit number is being advertised in breach of the rules — a useful first check for any buyer.
- 06
Snagging Inspection
Snagging is a detailed inspection of a newly completed home to record defects before you accept handover. It is the point of greatest leverage with the developer.
- 07
Off-Plan Handover
Handover begins when the developer issues a completion notice and ends with keys, a title deed and utilities connected in your name.
- 08
Buy Dubai Property Remotely
Every stage of a Dubai purchase can be completed from abroad. The sequence below shows where a representative is needed and where digital DLD services do the work.
- 09
Tokenised Property in Dubai
On 25 May 2025 the Dubai Land Department launched the region's first tokenised real estate project through the Prypco Mint platform, letting investors hold fractional, DLD-recorded interests in ready Dubai homes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main steps to buy property in Dubai?
Verify the listing's Trakheesi permit, agree terms in Form F or a sales and purchase agreement, obtain the developer NOC (resale) or Oqood registration (off-plan), transfer at a trustee office to receive the title deed, then complete handover.
Do I need to be in Dubai to complete a purchase?
No. A legalised special power of attorney allows a representative to sign for you, and off-plan purchases are routinely completed electronically.
Estimate your total outlay with the buying costs calculator, or read the full buying guide.