UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law No.13 for 2008, governing initial property registration in the emirate of Dubai. This law aims to control off-plan sales and mandates registration with the Land Department in Dubai.

According to this latest property law, it is mandatory to register off-plan property sales in Dubai with the Land Department. Real estate companies may not implement any project or sell any property prior to obtaining the required title deeds and obtaining all necessary approvals.

The law also state that master developers and sub-developers will no longer be allowed to charge transfer fees on off-plan sales.

The law also prohibits master developers and sub-developers from charging transfer fees for selling and re-selling completed projects or off-plan projects. On the otherhand, administrative charges may be collected provided that they are approved by the Dubai Lands Department.

Real estate developers have been given 60 days to register all sales transactions, which have been completed before the issuance of this law.