We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais has been awarded Legal Consultant of the Year in the United Arab Emirates by Leaders in Law for 2026.
It gives us immense pleasure to announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais, Legal consultant has been awarded the Best Legal Consultant of the year 2025 in Dubai, by Corporate INTL.
We would like to proudly announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais, one of our leading legal consultants, has been declared as the Global Awards' ‘Legal consultant of the Year’ 2024/2025 United Arab Emirates by Leaders in Law.
We are honoured to share that Dr Hassan Elhais has been recognized as a leading author in the Lexology Legal Influencers Q2 2023 for Private Client - Asia-Pacific.
Our team is proud to announce that, one our leading legal consultants, Dr. Hassan Elhais has been awarded the prestigious Legal 100 Asia Award for the ‘Best Legal Consultant of the Year, Litigation -2021’.
Our team is immensely proud to announce and congratulate our distinguished Legal Consultant, Dr. Hassan Elhais for receiving the ‘Corporate America Today Annual Award’ for the 'Best Legal Consultant for the year 2020'.
Buying, selling, or investing in Dubai property? One
overlooked clause, or unverified title, can put your entire investment at risk - the right legal
guidance protects it.
A real estate transaction in Dubai, is the legal registration of property purchase, sale, lease,
mortgage or transfer, under the supervision of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), and RERA. These
transactions require high capital, with registration obligations, and developer or financing
obligations. Experienced Real Estate Lawyer Dubai, assists you in confirming the ownership,
structuring payments in a secure manner and finalizing the transfer in full compliance with UAE
law.
A Dubai real estate transaction is an agreement, that creates, transfers or cancels rights in
property, registered with the Dubai Land Department. A sale, lease, mortgage or gift of property
must be registered with the DLD to be legally valid and enforceable.
Dubai Land Department disclosed that the emirate recorded an all-time high of around 270,000 real
estate transactions worth AED 917 billion in 2025, a 20% year-on-year increase. This scale has a
high proportion of international buyers making accurate documentation essential.
The main law governing transactions is Law No. 7 of 2006 on Land Registration in the Emirate of
Dubai, with the DLD in charge of registration, and RERA in charge of regulating market conduct.
According to Dr. Hassan Elhais, Senior Legal Consultant, engaging a lawyer before signing,
protects your funds and confirms ownership can be transferred free of encumbrances.
Buyers, sellers, developers, and RERA-registered brokers
The Dubai Land Department and its authorised trustee offices
Escrow accounts for off-plan projects and financing banks where a mortgage applies
Identifying the correct procedure and verifying title early avoids costly disputes.
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Types of Real Estate Transactions in Dubai
Real estate transactions take several forms, each handled by, a Real Estate Lawyer in Dubai.
Property Purchase & Sale
Transfer of ownership of completed residential, or commercial property, including SPA,
and MoU review and transfer of title deed.
Off-Plan Investments
Buy property off-plan, with escrow verification, checking the developer’s registration
status, and the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA).
Leasing & Rental
Lease agreements were registered through Ejari and disputes were resolved through the
Rental Disputes Settlement Centre.
Mortgage & Financing
Mortgages registered with DLD, structured according to Central Bank rules, on
loan-to-value ratios.
The Real Estate Transaction Process in Dubai – Step by Step
The process of property transactions in Dubai, follows a structured sequence, as regulated by the
DLD.
Real Estate in Dubai
Step 1: Due Diligence
We verify:
Property ownership, and the title status
Project approvals, and the developer registration
The existing encumbrances, mortgages, or the court orders.
The Escrow compliance, and the outstanding service charges.
Step 2: Contract Review & Negotiation
We review and negotiate:
MoU, and the SPA clauses
Completion timelines, and the Payment terms
Provisions for default, and penalties
Termination rights, and Force majeure
Step 3: Coordination with Authorities
We coordinate:
Appointments in the Trustee office
Transfer of ownership, with DLD
Mortgage Registration, if applicable
Issuance of the developer NOC
Step 4: Completion & Post-Transfer
After the transfer, we assist with:
New title deed, and the registration confirmation
Escrow verification, and release.
Dispute resolution, if necessary
A structured process protects the buyers and sellers alike. Dr. Hassan Elhais states, most of
the hidden risks are caught before the money exchanges hands, through the DLD title search.
Cost Discussion Framework
Total costs typically fall, between 7% and 10% of the property price, beyond the purchase price.
Components include:
DLD transfer fee - 4% of the declared purchase price
Trustee office registration fee - generally AED 2,000 - 4,000 plus VAT
Mortgage registration fee - 0.25% of the loan amount, where financing applies
Real estate agency commission - typically 2% plus VAT
Legal professional fees, based on complexity
During your consultation, we provide a transparent, itemized cost overview tailored, to your
transaction.
Addressing Common Client Concerns
Can foreigners own property in Dubai?
Yes. The foreigners are able to own freehold property, in specified freehold areas,
throughout Dubai.
What if the developer delays completion?
Depending on the terms of the SPA, and RERA regulations, your remedies may include,
penalties or termination, and refund rights.
How do I verify property ownership?
The ownership is verified, by the official Dubai Land Department records, and is
supported with a No Objection Certificate.
Is an escrow account mandatory for off-plan?
Yes. Money for off-plan projects in Dubai, must be held, in a regulated escrow account.
Confidentiality is strictly maintained at all times.
Why Choose Dr. Hassan Elhais & Our Real Estate Lawyer in Dubai
Dr. Hassan Elhais is a Senior Legal Consultant, with over two decades of the UAE experience,
advising the buyers, investors, and corporations, on property transactions across Dubai, and Abu
Dhabi.
Proven experience in residential, and the commercial transactions
Multilingual legal team
Representation for the expats, investors, and the corporate clients
Strong knowledge of DLD, and RERA processes
Structured legal strategy, and confidential handling
We operate in strict compliance with the UAE laws, and DLD procedural regulations.
Trust & Compliance
We provide professional, ethical representation in accordance with the UAE law. Our advice is
tailored, to your transactions, communicated transparently, and free of misleading the
guarantees. All consultations are strictly confidential.
Take Immediate Action
In Dubai, real estate deals move fast and any delay in due diligence can cost you the deal.
Getting experienced legal advice early safeguards your investment from the first signature to
the final registration
A real estate transaction is a legally recognized purchase, sale, lease, mortgage,
gift or transfer of property, that is registered with the Dubai Land Department
(DLD), in terms of the applicable UAE laws, and the regulations.
Dr. Hassan Elhais is an experienced Dubai Real Estate Lawyer, providing advice to
the buyers, sellers, investors, developers, and businesses on all aspects of
residential and commercial property transactions, due diligence, title checks,
contract drafting, DLD registration, and real estate disputes across the UAE.