Dubai property glossary
Short answer: These are the terms you will meet when buying, selling or renting in Dubai. Each one is defined in plain English and linked to the official source. Terms are listed A to Z.
Last checked 12 November 2026.
| Term | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Common parts | Parts of a jointly owned building used by all owners, such as lobbies, lifts and pools. Paid for through service charges. | [3] |
| Completion certificate | The certificate issued when a project is built. It starts the 10-year structural liability period and the 5% escrow retention clock. | [2][3] |
| Contract A / B / F | RERA smart contracts. A: seller and broker. B: buyer and broker. F: seller and buyer (the sale agreement, or MOU). | [4] |
| DLD | Dubai Land Department, which registers real property and transactions. | [1] |
| Dubai REST | The DLD's app for property services, including e-NOC requests, Ejari and permit checks. | [4][7] |
| e-NOC | The developer's electronic no-objection certificate, needed for a resale in freehold areas. | [7] |
| Ejari | The mandatory online register for tenancy contracts. | [5] |
| Escrow account | A bank account in a project's name with a DLD-accredited escrow agent. Off-plan payments go into it and may be used only for building that project. | [2] |
| Escrow agent | A bank or financial institution accredited by the DLD to manage escrow accounts. | [2] |
| Freehold | Ownership with no time limit. Non-UAE nationals may hold it only in designated areas. | [1] |
| Golden Visa (real estate) | Long-term UAE residence for owners of property worth at least AED 2 million, under federal ICP rules. | [10] |
| Handover | When the developer gives you the keys to a completed unit. The 1-year installations liability starts here. | [3] |
| Interim (provisional) register | The DLD register for off-plan sales, kept through Oqood. | [6] |
| Jointly owned property | A building or community with private units and shared common parts. | [3] |
| Leasehold | A registered long lease of up to 99 years. | [1] |
| Madmoun | A QR code on real estate adverts that lets you check the ad is approved. | [11] |
| Management entity | The company managing a jointly owned property's common parts under RERA rules. | [3] |
| Master community declaration | The rules for a master community, including which costs can be charged. | [3] |
| Mollak | The DLD system for service charge budgets and accounts. Also hosts the Service Charge Index. | [8] |
| MOU | Memorandum of understanding. In Dubai resales this usually means Form F. | [4] |
| Off-plan | A unit sold before or during construction. | [2] |
| Oqood | The DLD system for registering off-plan sales. The SPA must be registered within 90 days. | [6] |
| RERA | Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the DLD's regulatory arm for brokers, developers, service charges and tenancies. | [4] |
| Rental index | RERA's index of average rents, used to cap renewal increases. Now the Smart Rental Index 2025. | [5][12] |
| Service charges | Annual RERA-approved charges for managing and maintaining the common parts, based on the unit's registered area. | [3] |
| SPA | Sale and purchase agreement, especially between a developer and an off-plan buyer. | [6] |
| Taskeen | The DLD's two-year investor residence for property owners. | [9] |
| Title deed | The DLD certificate of ownership, issued electronically. Issuance fee: AED 250. | [7] |
| Trakheesi | The RERA system for broker licences, broker cards and advertising permits. | [4] |
| Trustee office | A Real Estate Registration Trustee: a DLD service partner where transfers are completed. | [7] |
| Usufruct | The right to use and benefit from a property for a fixed term of up to 99 years. | [1] |
Guides that use these terms: How to buy a property in Dubai, step by step · The full cost of buying property in Dubai · Off-plan payment plans and escrow in Dubai · Renting in Dubai · Service charges in Dubai
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DLD and RERA?
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) registers property and transactions. RERA, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, is the DLD's regulatory arm for brokers, developers, off-plan sales, service charges and tenancies.
What is Oqood?
The DLD's system for registering off-plan sales in the interim (provisional) register. An off-plan SPA must be registered within 90 days of signing.
What is Ejari?
The DLD/RERA online system for registering tenancy contracts in Dubai. Registration is mandatory.
What is Form F?
RERA's standard sale agreement between a seller and a buyer, often called the MOU. Contract A is between the seller and their broker; Contract B is between the buyer and their broker.
Sources
- Law No. (7) of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration in the Emirate of Dubai. Dubai Legislation Portal (Supreme Legislation Committee). Accessed .
- Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development. Dubai Legislation Portal (Supreme Legislation Committee). Accessed .
- Law No. (6) of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property. Dubai Legislation Portal (Supreme Legislation Committee). Accessed .
- Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide 2024. Dubai Land Department / RERA. Accessed .
- Tenancy Guide. Dubai Land Department / RERA. Accessed .
- Request to register the initial sale (Oqood). Dubai Land Department. Accessed .
- Property Sale Registration. Dubai Land Department. Accessed .
- Service Charge Index. Dubai Land Department. Accessed .
- Investor Residence Application (Taskeen). Dubai Land Department. Accessed .
- Golden Residency Guide. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Accessed .
- DLD provides Madmoun service to verify validity of real estate ads via QR codes. Dubai Land Department. Accessed .
- Dubai Land Department launches Smart Rental Index 2025. Dubai Land Department. Accessed .