Buyer Guide

Buying in Abu Dhabi

Buying a property can be a daunting prospect so we have designed this guide to try to take some of the myths and confusion away regarding the process in Abu Dhabi.

Buying property as a home or investment in Abu Dhabi is actually fairly simple – and it is open to all nationalities, regardless of residency status. The process can even be completed without actually being in the UAE.

What documents do I need?

This varies according to your purchase method – are you buying as an individual or as a company. How will your property purchase be paid for?

I am an individual buyer – in the first instance you will need to provide your original passport and Emirates ID if you are resident in the UAE. If you are resident elsewhere it will simply be your passport.

I am buying through a UAE based company or corporate entity – the documents you will need to provide will need to be in Arabic and will vary depending on the structure of the business but will include a Certificate of Incorporation, Board of Resolution and Power of Attorney for the designated signatory. Please contact us to let us talk you through the process for your own circumstances.

Do you know what kind of property you are looking for?

A home – this is a very personal and emotional decision. If you are unsure as to what you can afford, or where you might be able to buy, we can help you narrow down your options and introduce you to the different communities that offer the right kind of property for you.

An investment – this kind of purchase is financially driven. We can help you look at the best return on your investment based on facts rather than emotions. We know the market trends and demands which will be key to your decision.

In either scenario our team have in-depth knowledge of all the communities available to you, whether you are a UAE national, resident or non-resident. We believe our experience of the Abu Dhabi market is unrivalled.

Should I buy off-plan? This question needs careful consideration of what your goals are – off-plan can potentially be a great investment but you need to know what your financial obligations will be and understand what the risks might be. We have a wealth of information and statistics to help you understand the potential return on investment (ROI) and decide if off-plan investment is right for you.

What is the Buying Process?

Once we have negotiated a fair price for you with the seller of the property you have chosen, the process of actually buying it begins. Our team will hold your hand throughout this journey, ensuring you are fully informed and understand the steps. A form known as Contract B will be sent to you via the Abu Dhabi Land Department. Once processed, a Unified Contract F will be sent. You will have to give a 10% deposit cheque which will be held until the transfer of the property is processed.

Can I Get a Mortgage?

We have relationships with all the major lenders and can introduce you to the ones best suited to your circumstances. Mortgages are a very common vehicle for the purchase of property and providing you meet the lending criteria it is a fairly simple process.

What fees are involved?

Transfer / Registration fee – all property transactions attract a 2% registration / transfer fee payable to the Abu Dhabi City Muncipality. Some developers will pay all or some of this fee as an incentive to buy their property.

Estate Agency Fee — Our fee is 2% + VAT of the agreed property price. In some cases the seller will pay our fee as an incentive. We will never charge both parties 2% each.

Community service and/or maintenance charges — Based on the Abu Dhabi Muncipality service and maintenance index, these fees are charged on a per sq.ft basis and usually range between AED 2 to AED 30 per sq.ft depending on the community you are buying into.

Mortgage registration fee — For buyers utilising a mortgage, a total of 0.1% of the registered loan amount must be paid to the Abu Dhabi Land Department.

Bank mortgage arrangement fee, usually up to 1% of the loan amount, plus 5% VAT

Title deed cost AED 1,000

Bank property valuation fee Ranges from AED 2,500 to AED 3,000, plus 5% VAT

Choosing a real estate agency that offers specialised conveyancing services to help you with the progression of the sale, transfer of the property, coordination and facilitation of legal services and property resolution. Through our conveyancing partnership, LLJ Asset have this part covered – learn more about these services here.