If you’ve decided that its time to sell, then we recommend you get your to-do list in order before you begin.

Our handy guide to selling covers all the bases, from getting a realistic valuation and dressing your property for viewings, through to hiring the right professionals to get your sale completed.

Call in the experts

We’re sure you’re itching to know what the current value of your property is, so the first step is to speak to a local market expert. This should always be a face-to-face meeting at the property so they can easily identify any unique features, look at recent and comparable sales in the same community or area, and take current market conditions into consideration.

Choose the right brokerage

Do your market research, talk to friends, check online reviews and ‘interview’ different brokers to find the one that’s right for you. You want a brokerage with a strong local presence and wider market appeal, which will ensure your property is marketed to a broad base of potential buyers.

Go exclusive

Listing your property with a sole agent comes with certain benefits. It incentivises the broker, and they'll be more motivated to invest extra time and marketing know-how to attract a buyer. From your point of view, dealing with one trusted broker is far easier than having multiple agents. Over-exposure through different brokers can also potentially put prospective buyers off and attract lowball offers.

Be camera-ready

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your broker should advise you on steps to make your property stand out from other homes when it comes to a photoshoot and viewings. A fresh coat of paint, some de-cluttering and ‘window dressing’ will help make a positive impression. This extends to the exterior and garden, the first thing a prospective buyer will see.

Get the NOC

While the majority of fees are paid by the buyer, sellers should expect to pay for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which is obtained from the developer that built the property. You also need to factor in commission of up to 2%, payable to your broker.

Block the property

Sellers who have a mortgage on their property will need to go through a 'blocking' process whereby a liability letter is requested from the bank. This will be subject to certain costs and fees that either the buyer or seller needs to settle in full to proceed.

Hire a conveyancer

Once you have finalised the agreement, the next step is to hire professional conveyancing services to assist with the finer details of the sales process. A good conveyancer will hold your hand every step of the way.

For new residents, and even seasoned renters, navigating the rental process is often a muddle of confusion and mixed messages.

We’ve stripped back the information overwhelm to create a step-by-step guide to make your renting experience straightforward.

Set a budget

Setting a budget is critical when you are a first-time renter or looking to swap apartment living for a villa lifestyle. Your monthly rent payments need to be affordable. Make sure to factor in monthly running costs such as water, electricity, internet and service charges. You should also set aside funds to cover your moving costs, including a deposit, upfront rent payment, utility connection costs, removals services and agent commission.

Connect with an expert

Finding a reputable real estate broker takes a whole load of stress off your shoulders, especially in a competitive rental market. A great broker will keep you updated on new and upcoming listings that meet your criteria and is your intermediary regarding lease negotiations. Ensure they are fully RERA qualified and have in-depth knowledge of the areas you are looking at. Your broker should also be there for every viewing and follow up on any maintenance issues you may have spotted, which need to be sorted out before you move in.

Secure the property

You've found the perfect property and have made an offer. The next step is to provide scans of your Emirates ID and residency visa, along with three cheques: one for the deposit, one for the first rental payment, and one for the broker's commission. The first two cheques should be in the name of the landlord and the third in the name of your broker's company. Once you've agreed on the terms and conditions of the lease, your broker will draw up an agreement under the Ejari contract system. Any points agreed with the landlord not included in the contract cannot be enforced at a later date. After both parties have signed and the cheques have cleared, you can move in.

Register your Ejari

After signing the tenancy agreement, you must register the tenancy with Ejari. Normally, the tenant does this, but if your property is managed by Property Concierge, our property management team will take care of it for you. You can register online at dubailand.gov.ae, where you need to upload certain documents and pay a fee. Alternatively, you can visit one of the Ejari centres dotted around the city to complete the process in person. To register Ejari, you will need a copy of your tenancy contract, a copy of your landlord's ID and your passport copy/visa details.

Connect your utilities

Your Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) connection is linked to the Ejari system, so you can't connect the supply until your Ejari is registered. Activating your account can be done online (dewa.gov.ae) or at one of the self-service kiosks at any DEWA Customer Happiness Centre. You will need your Ejari number, tenancy contract, Emirates ID and passport copy, your DEWA number (if an existing customer), and nine-digit premises number (which is located on a mounted wall plate next to your front door). A refundable security deposit of AED 4000 for a villa and AED 2000 for an apartment also applies.

For new residents, and even seasoned renters, navigating the rental process is often a muddle of confusion and mixed messages.

We’ve stripped back the information overwhelm to create a step-by-step guide to make your renting experience straightforward.

Set a budget

Setting a budget is critical when you are a first-time renter or looking to swap apartment living for a villa lifestyle. Your monthly rent payments need to be affordable. Make sure to factor in monthly running costs such as water, electricity, internet and service charges. You should also set aside funds to cover your moving costs, including a deposit, upfront rent payment, utility connection costs, removals services and agent commission.

Connect with an expert

Finding a reputable real estate broker takes a whole load of stress off your shoulders, especially in a competitive rental market. A great broker will keep you updated on new and upcoming listings that meet your criteria and is your intermediary regarding lease negotiations. Ensure they are fully RERA qualified and have in-depth knowledge of the areas you are looking at. Your broker should also be there for every viewing and follow up on any maintenance issues you may have spotted, which need to be sorted out before you move in.

Secure the property

You've found the perfect property and have made an offer. The next step is to provide scans of your Emirates ID and residency visa, along with three cheques: one for the deposit, one for the first rental payment, and one for the broker's commission. The first two cheques should be in the name of the landlord and the third in the name of your broker's company. Once you've agreed on the terms and conditions of the lease, your broker will draw up an agreement under the Ejari contract system. Any points agreed with the landlord not included in the contract cannot be enforced at a later date. After both parties have signed and the cheques have cleared, you can move in.

Register your Ejari

After signing the tenancy agreement, you must register the tenancy with Ejari. Normally, the tenant does this, but if your property is managed by Property Concierge, our property management team will take care of it for you. You can register online at dubailand.gov.ae, where you need to upload certain documents and pay a fee. Alternatively, you can visit one of the Ejari centres dotted around the city to complete the process in person. To register Ejari, you will need a copy of your tenancy contract, a copy of your landlord's ID and your passport copy/visa details.

Connect your utilities

Your Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) connection is linked to the Ejari system, so you can't connect the supply until your Ejari is registered. Activating your account can be done online (dewa.gov.ae) or at one of the self-service kiosks at any DEWA Customer Happiness Centre. You will need your Ejari number, tenancy contract, Emirates ID and passport copy, your DEWA number (if an existing customer), and nine-digit premises number (which is located on a mounted wall plate next to your front door). A refundable security deposit of AED 4000 for a villa and AED 2000 for an apartment also applies.

     A service charge, also called a service fee, is a fee collected to pay for services related to a product or service being purchased. In other words, a service charge is an additional charge for the service provided with the purchase of a product or service.