Dubai Hills Estate: Investing in Real Estate as a Non-Resident
Investing in the Dubai Hills Estate is faster than in Europe, but for a non-resident, there are several specific hurdles that must be addressed before the property can be put on the market. Here is the process and what you need to do to prepare.
Preparations, even before launching the product
A bank account in the UAE. This has become an absolute prerequisite. The proceeds from the sale must be deposited into an account opened in the UAE in the name of the owner listed on the title deed. An account held by an agent, a relative, or an advisor is no longer accepted. It takes several weeks to several months to open a non-resident account.
Consistencyof identity. Your passport , property deed, and bank account must match exactly. A renewed passport, a married name, or a different spelling: these discrepancies will block the transfer and must be corrected well in advance—not the day before.
Condominium fees. They must be paid in full. Any unpaid fees will prevent you from obtaining the
Certificate of No Objection, and therefore the transfer.
The current lease. A rental property is sold with the tenant and the lease agreement. If you want to vacate the property, the process and notice periods are measured in months—and often in years, depending on the reason. This decision must be made before the property is put up for sale.
The Schedule
Once a buyer has been found, a standardized sales contract is signed, accompanied by a security deposit—typically around 10 percent of the price—held by an authorized third party. The seller then requests a certificate of no objection from the developer or building manager, which certifies that all fees are up to date. The developer charges a fee for this document and has a processing period.
The transfer takes place at an office approved by the Dubai Land Department: payment of the balance, payment of registration fees, and issuance of the new title. The process is quick, often taking less than an hour.
What a Sale Costs the Seller
An agency commission of approximately 2%, plus VAT; fees for the certificate of no objection, which vary depending on the developer; and, if applicable, fees for the release of the lien if the property is
subject to a lien. The 4% registration fee is generally borne by the buyer, but the allocation of this fee is negotiable.
If there is an outstanding loan, the balance must be paid off at the time of the transfer, which requires coordination with the bank and extends the timeline.
Power of Attorney
A distance sale is still possible through a power of attorney, drawn up in accordance with local requirements and verified by official systems. However, while the agent may represent the principal and sign on their behalf, they may no longer collect payment. The two functions are now separate.
Tax Considerations
There is no Emirati tax on capital gains. For a seller who is a Belgian tax resident, however, the capital gain must still be assessed under domestic law and the applicable treaty, and must be reported even if it is exempt. Furthermore, the repetitive nature of buy-and-sell transactions may affect how the income is classified.
The applicable requirements change regularly. Be sure to confirm the current requirements before listing the property.
