Every property transaction in Dubai ends at the Dubai Land Department. It keeps the land register, issues title deeds, collects the transfer fee and runs the systems buyers, tenants, owners and brokers use day to day — usually through the Dubai REST app.

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🏛️

The Dubai government department that registers every property sale, mortgage and lease in the emirate, and issues title deeds.

JurisdictionEmirate of Dubai

TypeGovernment department

Regulatory armRERA

Transfer fee4% of the price

Main appDubai REST

What it does

The DLD's role
in your transaction.

📜Land register & title deeds

Records ownership and issues title deeds when a sale is registered.

🔁Sales & mortgage registration

Registers transfers and mortgages, usually through registration trustee offices.

🏗️Off-plan registration (Oqood)

Records off-plan purchases in the interim real estate register until completion.

📄Tenancy registration (Ejari)

Registers residential and commercial lease contracts.

🏢Service charges (Mollak)

Manages owners' associations and approved service-charge budgets.

⚖️Rental Disputes Center

Settles disputes between landlords and tenants.

Services you'll use

Systems & checks

Dubai RESTOfficial app for checking title deeds, broker cards, permits and projects
EjariRegistration of tenancy contracts
OqoodInterim registration of off-plan purchases
MollakOwners' association and service-charge management
TrakheesiAdvertising permits for property listings
Registration trusteesApproved offices where transfers are completed

Verify a Dubai agent, listing or project →

The legal basis

Key laws

Law No. 7 of 2006
Real property registration in Dubai — including where non-UAE nationals may own
Law No. 26 of 2007
Landlord–tenant relationships (amended by Law No. 33 of 2008)
Law No. 8 of 2007
Escrow accounts for real estate development
Law No. 13 of 2008
The interim real estate register for off-plan sales
Decree No. 43 of 2013
Rules for rent increases
Law No. 6 of 2019
Ownership of jointly owned property

FAQ

DLD,
explained.

01Do I have to go to the DLD in person?

Usually not. Most transfers are completed at approved registration trustee offices, and many services — including checking deeds, permits and broker cards — are available in the Dubai REST app.

02Who pays the 4% transfer fee?

It is customarily paid by the buyer, though the parties can agree otherwise. Trustee, admin and title deed fees are added on top.

03What is the difference between DLD and RERA?

RERA is the DLD's regulatory arm. The DLD registers property and runs the land register; RERA licenses and regulates brokers, developers, escrow and owners' associations.

Related entities

Sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Property Aster is not affiliated with these authorities — always confirm details on their official channels.

Dealing with the paperwork?

Let us handle the DLD steps
with you, not for you.

Registrations, permits, escrow and transfers — our team walks you through each step with licensed professionals.

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