Title Deeds: Verifying Property Rights in Dubai

When purchasing real estate in any country, it is essential to ensure that the documentation confirming your proprietary rights is in order. It is recommended to conduct the verification process prior to making the security deposit and signing the sale and purchase agreement.

Verifying the authenticity of proprietary documents for apartments and villas in Dubai is simpler compared to other cities or countries. Here's a step-by-step guide on how it's done.

• What Document Confirms Property Ownership in Dubai?
• Where and in What Form Is Information about Such Documents Stored?
• How to Verify a Title Deed on Your Own

What Document Confirms Property Ownership in Dubai?

The document that confirms the ownership of a real estate property in Dubai is known as the Title Deed. This official certificate is the sole proof that a specific person or company owns a flat, house, or land plot. It is issued in both Arabic and English languages.

The Title Deed contains the following information:

• Issue date
• Mortgage status: This indicates whether the property is used as collateral in a bank.
• Property type: Flat, villa, land plot, or building.
• Name of the community where the property is located.
• Plot number
• Municipality number
• Building number (for flats)
• Building name (for flats)
• Property number (e.g., flat number)
• Floor number
• Parking spot number
• Suite area
• Balcony or terrace area
• Suite area in square meters
• Suite area in square feet
• Names and phone numbers of the owners, along with their shares in the property stated in square meters. If the property belongs to several owners, the Title Deed assigns them 5-digit numbers (e.g., 10001, 10002, etc.)
• Certificate number/year.

Additionally, the Title Deed may include any factors that could impede the sale of the property, such as encumbrances, lawsuits, and other relevant information. If there are no such notations, you can be assured that the property is free from any claims or obligations.

Where and in What Form Is Information about Such Documents Stored?

In 2017, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) made history as the first governmental establishment worldwide to adopt blockchain technology. Collaborating with Emirates Real Estate Solutions and other organisations, DLD specialists developed a cutting-edge blockchain-based system. This system automates the registration of all real estate contracts and seamlessly connects them to the corresponding payments, including utility bills. The utilisation of blockchain technology ensures a secure and transparent process for managing real estate transactions in Dubai.

The blockchain platform now incorporates a comprehensive database comprising sellers, buyers, renters, and lease holders, along with Title Deed data, IDs, and residence visas. This enables the verification of any document within minutes from any location worldwide. There is no longer a need to physically visit government institutions or print out any documents.

How to Verify a Title Deed on Your Own

In the mobile app:

The name of the DLD platform is Dubai REST (short for Dubai Real Estate Self Transaction). It can be accessed online through the Google Play Store for Android devices and the AppStore for iOS-operated smartphones and tablets.

Step 1. Download Dubai REST.

Step 2. Click the Services tab in the lower part of the screen.

Step 3. Scroll down the services list to Title Deed Verification. 

Step 4. Tap Proceed to Service at the bottom of the downloaded service page.

Step 5. On the top of the next page, pick the type of service you need: Validate Property or Validate Owner and Property. 

Step 6. Tap Scan QR at the bottom of the page and scan the QR code on the Title Deed the property seller provided to you. This is where you get all the information.

In case there is no QR, you can enter the data manually. In this case:

Step 7. If you chose Validate Property, enter the following data:

• In the Certificate Number box enter the Title Deed Number (it is located under the corresponding bar code).
• Choose Certificate Year from the drop-down menu (in the Title Deed, it comes after the number: 12345/2018). 
• For Property Type, there is also a drop-down menu. Pick Building if the deal is about a detached commercial or mixed-use building; Land if you are interested in the ownership documents for a land plot; Unit if you intend to verify an ownership document for a flat or a townhouse; Villa if you need to verify the authenticity of a Title Deed for a villa with its land plot. 

If you pick Validate Owner and Property, enter the full name of the property seller into the Owner Name box.

Step 8. Tap Validate at the bottom of the page and you will have all the information you need.

On the Dubai Land Department (DLD) Website

Step 1. Go to the DLD website and pick Title Deed Verification.

Step 2. In the Title Deed Number box, enter the number of the Title Deed (it is located under the corresponding bar code). 

Step 3. In the box Title Deed Year, pick the Title Deed issue year from the drop-down menu (in the Title Deed, it comes after the number: 12345/2018).

Step 4. From a drop-down menu, pick Land if you are interested in the ownership documents for a land plot; Unit if you intend to verify an ownership document for a flat or a townhouse; Villa if you need to verify the authenticity of a Title Deed for a villa with its land plot. Please note that if you select "Building" in the Dubai REST application, you will be able to verify documents for a detached commercial or mixed-use building.

Step 5. Verify that you are not a robot with one click, then click Validate and you will have all the information you need.

In a Nutshell

The Title Deed is the sole legally significant document that certifies ownership of a land plot, house, flat, or commercial building. Verifying the authenticity of a Title Deed in Dubai is a quick process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This verification can be done by anyone, anytime, and from anywhere.

Cover photo: diana.grytsku