Every term you need before you sign. Definitions, market values, and Mario Costa's plain-English read on what each one actually means in practice.
UAE long-term residence visa, 5 or 10 years, granted via property investment from AED 2M.
Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the regulator overseeing every broker, developer and transaction in Dubai.
The government department that registers every property transaction and issues all title deeds in Dubai.
The interim registration certificate for off-plan properties before the title deed is issued at handover.
The DLD-issued document proving freehold ownership of a Dubai property in the buyer's name.
Property bought from a developer before construction is complete, paid via a staged payment plan.
Annual fee paid by every property owner to maintain shared building or community facilities. Quoted per sqft per year.
The mandatory rental contract registration system in Dubai. Every lease must be registered with Ejari to be enforceable.
Total covered area of a property in square feet, used to calculate price per sqft, service charge, and rental rates.
UAE Central Bank loan-to-value limits. 80 percent LTV for residents, 50-65 percent for non-residents, depending on property value.
The binding legal contract between buyer and seller, signed before the DLD transfer is registered.
Developer-issued certificate confirming a property has no outstanding charges and can be transferred to a new owner.
Annual rental income minus service charges and operating costs, divided by purchase price. The number that matters for investors.
Annual rental income divided by purchase price, before service charges or costs. A headline number, not a useful one.
The inspection process to identify defects in a newly handed-over property, before signing off and taking possession.
The moment the developer hands over keys and the property transitions from off-plan to ready-to-occupy.
A notarized document authorizing a representative to sign property documents on a buyer's behalf when they can't be in Dubai.
Freehold means outright ownership in perpetuity. Leasehold means rights to use the property for a fixed period (usually 99 years).
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. The utility provider for every property in Dubai.
The unique number issued by RERA to every licensed real estate broker in Dubai. Required on every listing and contract.
Mario keeps adding entries based on what European buyers actually ask on their first call. Message him direct and the term you needed will likely be in the next batch.