Step by step · Abu Dhabi

Buying a home that is ready

16 of 16 steps confirmed with the regulator

A home that already exists and already has a title deed. This is the route most buyers take.

Finding it5 steps

Checks4 steps

Agreeing4 steps

Transferring2 steps

After1 step

Every step, and what proves it happened

Nobody can call a step done without the paper

16 steps

1. Owner's approval of the brokerThe owner's written authority for the brokerage to act and to advertise. Filed with ADREC · Madhmoun. Without it the listing has no basis.Goes through DMT · ADREC.

The seller

Confirmed

2. Madhmoun permit issuedAdvertising without it is the fine an agent actually gets. Filed through the ADREC Madhmoun system.Goes through DMT · ADREC.

Your agent

Confirmed

3. Listing livePhotographs, the permit number displayed, and a price the seller has agreed to.

Your agent

Confirmed

4. ViewingsRecorded against the listing so the interest is evidence, not memory.

You

Confirmed

5. Mortgage pre-approvalOnly where there is finance. The bank confirms what it will lend before any offer goes in, within the CBUAE ceilings — 80% of value for an expatriate, 85% for a national, and a debt burden no greater than half of income. An offer without it is a wish.Goes through CBUAE.

You

Confirmed

6. Offer madeA price, a payment method, and a validity period after which it lapses on its own.

You

Confirmed

7. Offer acceptedAcceptance starts every clock behind it — the NOC, the KYC and the transfer date.

The seller

Confirmed

8. Sale MOUThe sale contract between buyer and seller, with the deposit held against it. Filed with ADREC · Madhmoun.Goes through DMT · ADREC.

Your agent

Confirmed

9. Deposit paidTen per cent on signature, held against the contract rather than paid to the seller. Until it moves, either side can still walk; after it, walking costs money.

You

Confirmed

10. Buyer identity and AML checkEmirates ID or passport, source of funds, and screening. Federal, so it is the same in every emirate — and it is what stops a transfer on the day if it is left late.

You

Confirmed

11. Developer NOCThe developer confirms no outstanding service charges and consents to the transfer. Typically ten to fourteen days — start it before a transfer date is agreed, not after.Goes through Developer.

The developer

Confirmed

12. Bank valuationOnly where there is finance. The bank values the property itself, and a figure under the agreed price means the buyer funds the difference or the price is renegotiated — either way the transfer date moves.Goes through CBUAE.

You

Confirmed

13. Mortgage or liability settledIf either side has finance, the bank's letter and any existing mortgage discharge have to be in hand before a transfer date holds.Goes through CBUAE.

You

Confirmed

14. Register the transfer with ADRECFiled through the Abu Dhabi system rather than a trustee office. Fees and the exact counter are set by ADREC.Goes through ADREC.

You

Confirmed

15. Title deed issuedDMT · ADREC issues the deed in the buyer's name. That document, not the contract, is what proves ownership.Goes through DMT · ADREC.

The government office

Confirmed

16. Handover and utilitiesKeys, meters transferred, and the community handover completed.

You

Confirmed

Somewhere else in the UAE?