Dubai Real Estate Handbook: Understanding RERA Forms A, B, F, I & U

The home-buying process can be confusing for first-timers in Dubai. Fortunately, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) has established rules and regulations to facilitate property transactions in the city. To streamline the process, RERA has introduced specific forms tailored to various aspects of property transactions.

What is RERA and its function in Dubai?

The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) is a government agency in Dubai, established in 2007 under the Dubai Land Department. It is the primary regulatory body for all real estate-related activities in the Emirate. RERA's main function is to formulate, regulate, and oversee the implementation of various real estate-related policies and plans in Dubai. It aims to foster a transparent and efficient real estate market, ensuring the rights and interests of all parties involved are protected.

Unsure about which RERA forms apply to you? Let's break it down together.

RERA Form A: Property Seller and Broker - Contract A

Purpose of RERA Form A: RERA Form A in Dubai functions as a formal contract designed to establish an agreement between property sellers and brokers. This agreement empowers agents with the authority to market the property according to mutually agreed terms and specific platforms. The form is comprehensive, incorporating essential details such as payment schedules, property mortgage information, and service charges.

Process of RERA Form A: The process involves signing the agreement, obtaining approval through the DLD's Trakheesi system, and receiving a permit number. A listing agreement follows, with the agent responsible for finding a buyer. Sellers can engage up to three brokers simultaneously under RERA regulations.

Termination of RERA Form A: Sellers can terminate the agreement before a written offer by providing a 7-day notice. Form U is used for proper termination, adhering to RERA law limiting sellers to three active Form A agreements concurrently.

RERA Form B: Property Buyer and Broker

Purpose of RERA Form B: Form B is a crucial document for any property purchase in Dubai through a real estate agent. By filling out Form B and signing the agreement, the buyer appoints an agent who exclusively works on their behalf.

Process of RERA Form B: The process begins with the buyer engaging a qualified RERA-certified agent. Form B is then filled out, specifying the type of property and budget limits. After the buyer and agent agreement is signed, the listed broker exclusively works for the buyer, identifying properties that match the stated requirements. The agent, on behalf of the buyer, interacts with the seller's listing agent, attends auctions, and inspects properties.

Termination of RERA Form B: Similarly to sellers, buyers hold the option to terminate the agreement using Form A with the agent, providing a 7-day written notice along with the reason for termination.

RERA Form F: Buyer and Seller

RERA Form F, functioning as the Memorandum of Understanding, plays a critical role in Dubai's property transactions. This form outlines the agreement between the buyer and seller when the buyer decides to purchase a property at an agreed-upon price. It includes details such as terms and conditions, the property's specifics, the agreed rate, and commission splits for both the buyer's and seller's agents. The contract becomes valid once signed by both parties and witnessed and dated by the agent.

RERA Form I: Agent and Agent

RERA Form I comes into play when two RERA certified agents, one representing the seller and the other the buyer, decide to collaborate. This formal agreement is designed to safeguard the clients and listings of both agents. Additionally, it explicitly outlines the commission split between them, solidifying a professional partnership and commitment between the collaborating agents.

RERA Form U: Termination Agreement

RERA Form U is a requirement when either the buyer or seller decides to terminate their agreements (Form A or Form B) with the broker. This form necessitates stating the reason for termination and must be submitted to the agent with a 7-day written notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Who initiates the Form A and Form B contracts? A: Real estate agents initiate both contracts. Broker A introduces the Seller's Agreement (Form A) to the property seller, while Broker B presents the Buyer's Agreement (Form B) to the prospective property buyer. Property sellers and buyers can request these forms independently for review before collaboration.
2. Q: How can I verify if a real estate agent is RERA certified? A: To verify a real estate agent's RERA certification in Dubai, check the official Dubai Land Department website or contact them directly. Alternatively, use the DubaiNow app to access a government database listing verified brokers and offices. These methods ensure transparency and credibility in the real estate transactions of Dubai.
3. Q: Which contracts are relevant to rentals in Dubai? A: This is where Ejari comes in. Ejari is a required registration system created by the DLD for rental tenancy contracts to ensure transparency, and protect the rights of both landlords and tenants.
4. Q: What is the Trakheesi system, and how is it related to real estate in Dubai? A: The Trakheesi system is an online platform under the DLD used for obtaining permits for property advertisements in Dubai. This will allow you to advertise your property through different ad placements (digital, print, media, etc.)
5. Q: How can I obtain a permit number for advertising my property through Trakheesi? A: You can obtain a permit number for advertising your property by submitting the necessary details and documents through the Trakheesi portal. It would take two days on average for the approval to come through.
6. Q: What is Madmoun, and how does it enhance transparency in property transactions? A: Madmoun, a Dubai Land Department service, issues QR codes for real estate advertising permits to boost transparency and confidence. Scanning these codes on phones or tablets provides quick and accurate access to property details, simplifying information dissemination.