Dubai Land Department

The Land Department was established in 1960 by an order from H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the late Ruler of Dubai, in order to safeguard the property rights in the city. Before its establishment, issues related to the property were resolved through reconciliation councils.



The department provides approximately 160 services related to real estate transactions most notably the documentation of sale transactions, regulation and registration of all transactions. Regulation is done through its regulatory arm, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) which was established in 2007 by a decree from H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai.

The Department is known for its excellent record and adopts transparency as the basis for all its transactions. All the staff and employees at the LD are highly qualified and well trained national staff that provide superior services and facilitate client’s transactions. The outstanding performance gained the department an exceptional reputation locally, as the department received Dubai Government Excellence Awards in various categories such as the best government department in 2007, customer satisfaction award for 4 consecutive years and the employee satisfaction award for 3 years in a row.



The department enjoys the membership of several international leading associations. It was the first department of its kind in the GCC to join such associations and societies as a member and representative in the region. Furthermore, it obtained ISO 9001:2008 certificates and is ISO certified in environment, health and occupational safety standards (HSE).



LD topped the ranking in the following indexes and reports:



· The first in the region in real estate transparency index for 2010



· The fourth internationally in registration of property in the Ease of Doing Business Index 2011



· The first ranking in the International Property Rights Index 2010



· The first in the region in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009



The Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI) has also recently joined the LD as an educational center to disseminate the real estate culture and awareness. DREI is the first institute of its kind in the region.



Among the important and latest initiatives launched by the LD is its Center for Promotion and Management of Real Estate Investment. The center reflects LD’s interest in real estate investments and its role in stimulating economic activity in the Emirate of Dubai, aiming to achieve an overall sustainable economic development to the city. The Center will manage and promote real estate investments and is set to enhance and regulate the investment environment in Dubai.



​The Land Department has lately launched its official website (Dubai Real Estate Portal) www.dubailand.gov.ae to provide comprehensive information about itself and its Agencies (RERA), alongside with their services and electronic applications in order to simplify client’s transactions.