Before you buy

What to check before you buy an office in Dubai

The listing tells you the price. Ten things decide whether it is a good buy — see the paper behind each one before you sign the sale agreement.

Fees and rules are indicative; we confirm the current ones on the day.

01 · Title deed

The title

Who owns it, and what comes with it.

Title deed

Who owns it, and what is registered

A ready unit has a title deed with the Dubai Land Department; an off-plan unit an Oqood registration. Check the seller is the registered owner and that the size on the deed matches what you are told.

Ask“Can I see the title deed (or Oqood)?”
Ask“Is there a mortgage on the unit?”
Ask“Does the deed size match the listing?”

SeeA title deed verified through DLD.

Service charge

Per sq ft a year, and what is outstanding

As the owner you pay the building’s service charge every year — the rate per square foot is published by RERA for each building. Arrears move with the unit unless they are cleared before transfer.

Ask“What is the service charge per sq ft?”
Ask“Is it paid up to date?”
Ask“Are there any special levies planned?”

SeeA no-objection certificate from the developer, which needs charges cleared.

Tenancy

Vacant, or sold with a tenant

A tenanted office earns from the day you buy it — and you inherit its lease. Check the rent against the market, the term left, and the tenant’s record.

Ask“Is it vacant or tenanted?”
Ask“What is the rent, and when does the lease end?”
Ask“Is the Ejari current?”

SeeThe lease and the tenant’s payment history.

The unit

What you are buying, on the ground.

The space

Net or gross, and the plan

You pay for the area on the deed. Know how much of it you can use, and whether the floor plate suits how you will use or let it.

Ask“What is the net usable area?”
Ask“Can I have the floor plan?”

SeeA plan with dimensions.

Fit-out

What comes with it, and its condition

A fitted unit lets faster and costs less to occupy; shell & core needs budget and time before it earns. Check what is included in the sale.

Ask“What fit-out is included?”
Ask“What is its age and condition?”

SeeAn inventory attached to the sale agreement.

Parking

Bays on the deed

Parking bays can be registered with the unit or held separately. Bays on the title deed transfer with it; informal allocations may not.

Ask“How many bays are registered with the unit?”

SeeThe bays on the title deed.

Use and permits

What the unit can be used for

Commercial units are zoned for uses — offices, retail, clinics. Check yours, and the licensing authority, before you plan around it.

Ask“What uses is the unit approved for?”
Ask“Mainland or free zone?”

SeeThe building’s permitted uses.

The deal

The building behind it, and the cash on the day.

The building

Management, age and the reserve fund

A well-run building holds its value and its tenants. The management company, the reserve fund and the building’s age tell you what is coming.

Ask“Who manages the building?”
Ask“Is there a reserve fund study?”
Ask“Any major works planned?”

SeeThe owners’ association minutes if available.

Fees

DLD, trustee, agency and VAT

The Dubai Land Department takes 4% of the price on transfer, the trustee office its fee, the agency usually 2% — and commercial property carries 5% VAT, which a VAT-registered buyer can reclaim.

Ask“Who pays which fee?”
Ask“Is VAT included in the price?”

SeeA completion statement before transfer.

The cash on the day

Everything due at transfer

Price, fees, VAT and — with a mortgage — the bank’s fees and DLD’s mortgage registration. Know the total before you sign the sale agreement.

Ask“What is the total due at transfer, line by line?”

SeeThe cost-to-buy breakdown on every listing.

Check an office with us Buying in 10 steps

Talk to an advisor

Tell us what you need. We will send you spaces that fit.

Size, area, fit-out, parking, budget and move-in date — send it once. Not every space we handle is on the website, and the right one is often off-market.

WhatsApp an advisor Call 052 890 3616