Gulf News, 17 June 2025: Dubai authorities have issued new legal guidelines requiring overseas property investors to transact payments in their name, according to the title deed, when selling units in Dubai.

While earlier practices allowed power of attorney recipients to process payments, the new rule stipulates that cheques must be payable directly to the property owner as identified in the title deed.

This regulatory change impacts foreign property owners in Dubai who previously could designate relatives or third parties to receive sales proceeds. Under the new requirement, all monetary transactions for property sales must be directed to the bank account of the named title deed holder, eradicating the use of proxies for the financial aspect of sales. Furthermore, sellers are required to possess bank accounts within the UAE to process these transactions.

The obligation for property transactions emphasises the authentic identity of the seller, reducing chances of misrepresentation or fraud within the Dubai property market. This rule aligns with broader legal efforts to ensure clarity and straightforwardness in real estate dealings, demanding all PoA authorisations to be verified through Dubai’s local courts, which can now be conducted remotely, enhancing accessibility.

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