Ownership of residential property in Dubai is evidenced by the Title Deed/Certificate of Title. If you need to buy, sell, gift, or pass it on as part of an inheritance, you must follow the procedure for transferring ownership rights as stipulated by law.
The question is: how can this be done quickly, accurately, and in compliance with local laws and requirements? Alliance Business Advisors offers professional support services for all real estate transactions. We will help you complete the sale, purchase, or gift of property, guiding you through the entire process from start to finish. With our professional support, you can be sure of a positive outcome in the shortest possible time.
Transfer of property by gift
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), transferring real estate through a gift agreement is the simplest and likely one of the least expensive ways to transfer ownership to close relatives and family members. Different property transfer schemes are available for different groups of UAE citizens and residents:
- For Muslims, Sharia law governs inheritance and gift rules and details how ownership transfers should occur. As a rule, these rules apply to UAE citizens or Muslim residents.
- For non-Muslims in the country, Federal Law No. (14) of 2017 and Federal Law No. 41 of 2022 on civil personal status apply, which describe in detail the procedure for inheritance and gifting in Dubai.
- Also, when re-registering real estate, you must comply with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) rules.
In order for the transaction to proceed quickly and smoothly, the following conditions must be met:
- The property is transferred voluntarily and without any conditions for the recipient.
- There is confirmed consent from the recipient to assume ownership rights.
- The property is registered with the DLD (Dubai Land Department).
- All associated fees have been paid.
Our specialists will help you prepare so that the transfer of property ownership rights proceeds as smoothly as possible.
Why choose a gift deed in the UAE?
When it becomes necessary to transfer ownership of real estate, people most often choose the gift deed procedure, as in this case, the registration fee will be the lowest (much lower than in the case of a sale and purchase transaction in Dubai).
For comparison: When re-registering a house in the name of a close relative (spouse or children), the transfer fee is only 0.125% of the estimated property value (minimum 2,000 UAE dirhams), and under a purchase and sale agreement, the fee is 4%. For a property valued at AED 1,000,000, the difference would be AED 38,750 (approximately USD 10,500).
Thus, a gift agreement can be a very advantageous solution when transferring property between family members. In addition, a gift will help protect assets from future inheritance disputes. Without a will, the division of property is governed by applicable law, which may not align with the donor's wishes. Transferring ownership during the property owner's lifetime allows them to distribute assets at their discretion rather than as required by law.
How to transfer ownership of property in Dubai
Although at first glance it seems that there is nothing complicated about it, re-registering ownership of real estate in the UAE has its own peculiarities, and problems may arise during the process of preparing documents. Alliance Business Advisors specialists provide comprehensive services, which include:
- Initial consultation. At this stage, you will learn more about the transfer process and the legal requirements.
- Document preparation. We will help you collect and certify all the necessary documents.
- Property valuation is necessary to calculate fees and determine the property's estimated value.
- Communication with the authorities. Our specialists will handle the entire process of communicating with local authorities, particularly the Dubai Land Department.
- Representation of interests. We are ready to provide an employee who will represent your interests under a special power of attorney. Your personal presence is not required.
Our specialists will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the process of gifting real estate in the UAE. Contact us by phone or leave a request on the website using the standard form. We will tell you in detail about the process of re-registering property ownership in the UAE.
Property valuation
A mandatory requirement for transferring real estate to a new owner is a property valuation. The amount of state duty is determined based on this value (0.125% of the estimated value if the property is transferred to immediate relatives). In addition, our specialists must check for any prohibitions or restrictions on the transfer of ownership rights (e.g., debts, seizures, and other restrictions). Our specialists will complete all the necessary procedures and prepare your documents for further processing of the transaction.
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Documents required for drawing up a real estate gift agreement in the UAE
A complete set of documents must be collected, certified, and submitted to the Land Department of the Emirate where the property is registered. Only then can you proceed to draw up the agreement. You will need the following:
- An official document confirming the donor's ownership of the property (Certificate of Title Deed).
- A copy of the donor's passport, a valid visa, and an Emirates ID (if available).
- Copies of the recipient's passport, valid visa, and Emirates ID (if available).
- Documents confirming the family relationship between the donor and the recipient (e.g., marriage certificates, birth certificates, or documents confirming the parent/child relationship).
- Property valuation certificate (Dubai Land Department).
- Certificate of no objection from the developer (if construction on the property is not complete).
* Documents must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country of issue, certified by the UAE consulate, and translated into Arabic by a certified translator before being verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai.
Conclusion
Executing a deed of gift in a real estate transaction in the UAE is a simple and inexpensive way to transfer ownership rights to a close relative. To ensure the process runs as quickly and smoothly as possible, careful attention to detail and compliance with local regulations are required. By ordering services from our company, you are guaranteed to achieve the desired results in the shortest possible time and without future complications.
Frequently asked questions
How to transfer ownership of a property?
When you gift real estate, you need to draw up a gift agreement. This allows you to avoid applying local inheritance laws, including Sharia law, and ensures your property passes to the appropriate recipients. A gift agreement is the most inexpensive way to transfer ownership.
How much does it cost to register a deed of gift for real estate in the UAE?
For transfers of ownership to immediate relatives, government registration fees are 0.125% of the property's total value. Issuance of the Title Deed will cost approximately 500 UAE dirhams (depending on the emirate). Trustee office fees range from 2,000 to 4,000 UAE dirhams, plus a fee for Alliance Business Advisors' comprehensive support services. Compared to other options, the gifting process is significantly cheaper.
Do you need an expert to draw up a real estate gift agreement?
The procedure for transferring ownership is formalized in a contract, and you will need an expert to draft it correctly. Our consultants are ready to help you at every stage of the process of transferring real estate in the UAE. We handle compliance with local regulatory requirements, so you don't have to spend time, money, or energy on it.
Can I write a will instead of drawing up a deed of gift?
Yes, this option is also possible. You can prepare a will to directly designate who you want to transfer the property to. In this case, when re-registering the documents, the Department of Land Resources will charge a small fee for the property re-registration.
Our specialists are ready to help you with any real estate re-registration in the UAE. Write to us today, and we will tell you in detail about the available options.
