Real Estate Agents in Dubai: Roles, Fees, and Licensing

Quick Answer: What Does a Licensed Real Estate Agent Do in Dubai?

A licensed real estate agent in Dubai, also called a broker, is a professional registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the Dubai Land Department (DLD) who legally facilitates property transactions. An agent assists with buying, selling, renting, or managing property in Dubai. An agent is not automatically a legal representative, cannot serve eviction notices or represent landlords in Rental Disputes Center proceedings without appropriate legal authority, and cannot provide legal advice or notarize documents. Understanding what agents can and cannot do protects landlords and tenants from costly assumptions.

Why RERA Licensing Matters for Real Estate Agents in Dubai

Dubai’s real estate market is one of the most heavily regulated property markets in the region. The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), which is the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department, licenses and oversees all real estate professionals operating in the emirate. No individual can legally practice as a real estate broker, agent, leasing consultant, or property manager in Dubai without holding a valid Real Estate Activity Practice Card issued through the DLD’s Trakheesi system.

RERA exists to protect buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants from unregulated or unqualified intermediaries. The requirement for RERA licensing ensures that every agent operating in the market has completed accredited training, passed a qualifying examination, and holds a current professional registration tied to a licensed brokerage.

What the RERA Broker Card Is

The RERA Broker Card, formally known as the Real Estate Activity Practice Card, is the licence that legally permits an individual to work as a real estate professional in Dubai. The Dubai Land Department issues this card through the Trakheesi system after verifying that the applicant has:

• Completed the accredited training program delivered by the Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI), which is the DLD’s official training body.
• Passed the RERA qualifying examination.
• Met the minimum age requirement applicable under current DLD requirements.
• Affiliated with a licensed real estate brokerage, since Dubai does not permit individuals to operate as freelance real estate agents outside a licensed firm.

The RERA Broker Card is generally valid for one year and must be renewed through the Dubai Land Department’s Trakheesi system. Renewal requirements may include completing any applicable continuing professional development (CPD) requirements and passing the renewal examination if required by the DLD at the time of renewal.

Specific licensing requirements, including age, education, residency status, and supporting documentation, may change over time and should be verified through the Dubai Land Department at the time of application.

Practicing real estate in Dubai without a valid Real Estate Activity Practice Card constitutes a regulatory violation. The DLD can impose fines, suspend licenses, and initiate legal proceedings against both the unlicensed individual and the brokerage that engages them.

How to Verify an Agent Is Licensed

Property owners and tenants can verify whether a real estate agent holds a valid RERA license through the following channels:

• The Dubai REST app, the official DLD mobile application, which allows users to look up registered brokers by name or broker card number.
• The DLD’s Licensed Real Estate Brokers directory on the official Dubai Land Department website, which lists all active licensees.
• Directly requesting the broker’s card number and verifying it through official Dubai Land Department (DLD) channels before entering into any formal agreement.

Any agent who refuses to provide their RERA card number or cannot be found in the DLD directory should not be engaged for property transactions.

What Services Do Real Estate Agents Provide in Dubai?

A RERA-licensed real estate agent provides transactional facilitation services across buying, selling, renting, and in some cases property management. The scope of service differs depending on the type of engagement.

Buying Property

When a buyer engages an agent, the agent sources available properties matching the buyer’s criteria, arranges viewings, assists with price negotiation, prepares or reviews the Form B buyer representation agreement, and coordinates with the seller’s agent and the DLD trustee office to facilitate the transfer. The agent helps ensure the transaction follows DLD and RERA procedural requirements.

Selling Property

When a seller engages an agent, the agent markets the property through registered platforms using a valid Trakheesi advertising permit, coordinates viewings with prospective buyers, handles negotiation, and prepares the Form A seller listing agreement. In an exclusive listing arrangement, the agent is the sole broker authorized to market the property for the agreed duration.

Renting Property

For rental transactions, a landlord may employ an agent to advertise the property, qualify prospective tenants, negotiate rental terms, prepare the tenancy contract, and coordinate Ejari registration. A tenant may separately engage an agent to identify suitable properties and navigate the rental process.

Property Management

Licensed property management companies and their authorised representatives act on behalf of landlords to manage tenanted properties on an ongoing basis. This typically includes rent collection, maintenance coordination, tenant communication, Ejari renewal management, and representation in routine matters. A property management arrangement is governed by a formal management agreement between the landlord and the management company.

How Agent Fees Work in Dubai

Real estate agent fees in Dubai, referred to as commission, are based on market practice and agreement between the parties. While RERA does not prescribe a fixed commission percentage, commission arrangements are typically documented in the relevant RERA transaction forms for transparency.

Brokerage commissions are generally subject to 5% UAE VAT, which applies to the commission amount rather than the property price. For illustration, a residential purchase commission on a property priced at AED 2,000,000 at a typical 2% commission rate equals AED 40,000. Applying 5% UAE VAT to the commission adds AED 2,000, bringing the total brokerage fee to AED 42,000.

For off-plan properties purchased directly from developers, the developer pays the agent’s commission. This means buyers in new development projects often pay no brokerage fee at all, since the cost is absorbed by the developer.

Commission is usually payable upon completion of the transaction, although the payment timing depends on the brokerage agreement and the terms agreed between the parties. For sales, commission is commonly paid at or shortly after the Title Deed transfer. For rentals, commission is typically paid when the tenancy contract is signed.

Who Pays the Agent in Dubai?

The question of who pays the agent depends entirely on the type of transaction.

In most secondary market sales, the buyer pays approximately 2% commission to the agent, although the commission arrangement can be negotiated between the parties. If the seller has a separate listing agent under an exclusive agreement, the seller may also pay a commission to their own agent, independent of what the buyer pays.

In an off-plan sale: The developer pays the agent’s commission directly. The buyer pays nothing to the agent in most primary market transactions.

In a residential rental: The tenant pays the 5% commission at the time of signing the tenancy contract. Some landlords, particularly those with large portfolios or premium properties, may offer commission-free rentals by absorbing the fee themselves to attract tenants.

In property management: The landlord pays the property management fee as an ongoing arrangement. This is separate from the leasing commission paid by the tenant when the tenancy is initially signed.

Documents Agents Commonly Handle in Dubai Transactions

RERA-approved forms and standard documentation govern every legitimate transaction in Dubai’s regulated property market. The most common documents a real estate agent works with include:

Form A is the standard RERA listing agreement between the seller and the broker. It authorizes the broker to market the property and documents the commission arrangement between the parties.

Form B is the buyer representation agreement. Form B establishes the formal relationship between the buyer and the buyer’s agent and documents the agreed commission and representation terms.

Form F, commonly called the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), is the sale agreement between the buyer and the seller. It records the agreed purchase price, commission, payment schedule, and other transaction terms. Upon successful completion of the transfer, the commission becomes payable in accordance with the agreement between the parties.

Tenancy Agreements govern residential and commercial rental relationships. Agents facilitate the signing of tenancy contracts between landlords and tenants.

Ejari is the official tenancy registration that the agent often coordinates on behalf of the parties. Ejari registration typically requires documents such as the landlord’s Title Deed, Emirates ID, and a signed tenancy contract, although documentation requirements may vary depending on the circumstances and current DLD procedures.

What Real Estate Agents Cannot Do in Dubai

This section matters for landlords in particular, because assumptions about what an agent can handle on a landlord’s behalf during disputes and eviction situations lead to serious procedural failures.

A real estate agent cannot issue an eviction notice.

Only the property owner or an authorised representative acting under a properly executed Power of Attorney can legally issue and serve an eviction notice in Dubai. An agent does not hold legal authority to act as the landlord’s legal representative in a dispute context unless formally appointed through a notarized POA.

A real estate agent cannot represent a landlord before the Rental Disputes Center solely because they manage the property. Representation generally requires appropriate legal authority, such as a valid Power of Attorney accepted by the RDC.

The Rental Disputes Center (RDC) is a judicial body. Representing a party in RDC proceedings requires proper authorization. A real estate agent who manages a property is not automatically authorized to represent the landlord in a judicial hearing.

A real estate agent cannot notarize documents.

Notarization in Dubai is carried out through Dubai Courts or other approved notary channels. Real estate agents cannot perform notarization themselves. A real estate agent has no authority to notarize an eviction notice, a Power of Attorney, or any other legal document.

A real estate agent cannot provide legally binding rental valuations for RDC purposes.

The RDC relies on RERA’s official rent calculator and registered market data when determining fair market rent in a dispute. An agent’s opinion of rental value, while useful for market guidance, is not a substitute for the RERA Rent Index.

A real estate agent cannot force a tenant to vacate.

Even where an agent manages a property and is aware that the tenant is in breach or overstaying after a valid notice period, the agent has no legal authority to compel a tenant to leave. This requires a court judgment from the RDC and enforcement through official channels.

A real estate agent cannot file an RDC case on behalf of a landlord without proper documentation.

Filing a case at the Rental Disputes Center requires the claimant to establish identity, ownership, and standing. If an agent lacks a properly executed Power of Attorney or other documentation accepted by the RDC for representation, they generally cannot act on the landlord’s behalf in the proceedings.

When Landlords Need More Than a Real Estate Agent

Many landlords operate under the assumption that their property management agent handles everything. This works for routine property management. It stops working the moment a landlord enters a dispute situation, needs to serve an eviction notice, or needs to take a case to the Rental Disputes Center.

The following situations generally require formal legal processes rather than standard agent services. The applicable notice periods, procedural requirements, and supporting evidence depend on the landlord-tenant legislation and RDC procedures in force at the time:

• A tenant has stopped paying rent and is ignoring the landlord’s communications. This situation calls for a formally served, notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and potentially an RDC case.
• A landlord needs to recover the property for personal use or to carry out major renovations and must serve a valid 12-month eviction notice that is notarized and delivered through an approved courier or registered mail service accepted for legal notification under Dubai procedures.
• A tenant is refusing to vacate after the notice period has expired. This requires an RDC case and potentially enforcement proceedings.
• A landlord needs to serve notice in relation to a planned sale of the property. A legally valid eviction notice for property sale must comply with the 12-month notice requirement and be formally notarized.

In each of these situations, the eviction notice must be drafted correctly, notarized through Dubai Courts, and delivered through an approved courier or registered mail service accepted for legal notification under Dubai procedures, with proof of delivery. An agent cannot perform any of these steps in a legally binding capacity.

How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in Dubai

When selecting an agent for property transactions, landlords and buyers should verify the following:

• The agent holds a valid, current Real Estate Activity Practice Card (commonly known as the RERA Broker Card) that can be verified through the DLD’s licensed brokers directory or other official DLD channels.
• The brokerage the agent works for holds a valid real estate activity license from the Dubai Department of Economic Development and is registered with RERA.
• All forms, including Form A, Form B, and Form F as applicable, are signed before any transaction proceeds.
• All commission amounts are documented in writing in the relevant RERA forms before any fees are paid.
• The agent uses valid Trakheesi advertising permits for all property listings. Any property listing without a Trakheesi permit number is in violation of DLD regulations.
• The agent can provide references or evidence of recent completed transactions in the relevant area or property type.
• The agent is clear about the boundaries of their role and does not claim authority to handle legal proceedings, serve notices, or provide legal advice.

A RERA-licensed agent plays an important role in property transactions and day-to-day property management. However, matters involving eviction notices, tenant disputes, or proceedings before the Rental Disputes Center generally require compliance with formal legal procedures and, where appropriate, authorised legal representation.

If a tenant dispute reaches the point where a formal eviction notice is required, landlords should ensure that the notice complies with applicable Dubai legal requirements and is served through the appropriate legal notification process. Eviction Notice Dubai offers an online service to assist landlords with preparing, notarizing, and facilitating the service of legally compliant eviction notices.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Real estate licensing requirements, commission structures, and agent obligations may change over time. Property owners and buyers should verify current RERA and DLD requirements before entering into any real estate agency arrangement. Readers should seek independent legal advice or consult the relevant authorities for guidance on their specific circumstances.