New decree allows Emiratis in Dubai to sell property grants

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued a new decree regulating the sale of lands and houses granted to Emiratis in the city.

The decree aims to protect households and preserve the demography of citizens’ residential areas, according to state new agency WAM.

Under the new rules, citizens that have been granted a housing unit or land by the government are allowed to sell it if they own another housing or land plot or the grant does not meet their requirements.

The purpose of the sale should be to buy another house or plot of land and the beneficiary must agree in writing to the transaction being supervised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MHRE).

The beneficiary will not be able to apply for another house or land plot once the sale goes through.

Additional terms of the decree state that the buyer must be a UAE national and the property should not be attached to any legal or financial liabilities. It should also not be sold for less than market value.

Dubai Land Department will issue the buyer the title deeds once these conditions are met.

Other terms and conditions specified by the ruling apply to selling inherited property, trading properties, purchasing adjacent government-owned property and renting a house built on granted land.

To sell their granted property, Emiratis must complete the required form and apply to the MHRE or Dubai Municipality. The latter will decide whether to approve the sale and any fees related to the transaction.

Any decision can be appealed within 15 days of the date of the notification.

The decree annuls any contradictory legislation.