How to own your property – A structure that’s right for you

When you buy property in Dubai, choosing the right home is only part of the decision. Equally important is deciding how you want to own it. From registering in your own name to sharing ownership with a partner or setting up a company structure, the route you choose can affect everything from mortgage eligibility to inheritance planning.

Dubai offers flexibility, but that also means buyers should think carefully about which approach suits their goals — whether that’s simplicity, long term investment planning or integrating the purchase into a wider portfolio.

Owning property in your individual name

If you are buying a property as an unmarried individual, you may well choose to have the property registered in your individual name.  Registering your property in your own name is the simplest approach. The process is straightforward: you’ll usually only need to present your identity (usually by way of your original passport) at the transfer office. It is also a useful option where you are taking advantage of mortgage finance, as most locally based banks will only lend to individual buyers and not to offshore companies.

Owning property in joint names

Married couples will often opt to buy a property in their joint names, but co-ownership is available to any joint buyers. They will both be listed as owners on the title deed, holding equal shares (unless otherwise specified on transfer). This requires both parties to be present at the purchase and any subsequent sale (themselves or through their duly appointed representatives). Note that a husband cannot sign for his wife or vice versa, without express authority. As with individual owners, there are advantages of simplicity and therefore speed and cost in the conveyancing process.

Mortgage finance is also readily available to joint owners as it is to individual owners. Once again, we would recommend that joint owners file Wills with the DIFC WPR (‘mirror’ Wills) to ensure that the property passes in accordance with their wishes on death. Note that where one of two joint owners dies, the deceased’s share does not pass automatically to the surviving owner, but rather to the rightful heirs of the deceased (which may or may not include the joint owner). It is important therefore that a Will is made to evidence the wishes of the parties in the event of the death of either of them.

Previously, some individuals were reluctant to buy property in their individual names, as they were worried about the inheritance implications at a time when it was not clear how the local courts would treat Dubai property succession issues for foreign, non-Muslim owners. They looked to offshore company ownership to circumvent the application of UAE inheritance laws and regulations. But the establishment of the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry (DIFC WPR) has provided individuals with a solution which gives comfort in that it is designed to ensure that your property passes in accordance with the wishes stated in your DIFC WPR registered Will.

Offshore company

In the early days of Dubai’s real estate history, when foreign ownership of property in designated areas was first introduced, there were few restrictions on the types of corporate entities that could hold freehold title. Many properties were therefore bought directly in the names of companies from the traditional offshore centres like the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, etc. More recently, the Dubai Land Department has adopted a policy under which the only offshore entities that can be registered as owners of Dubai real estate are Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) offshore companies.

However, it is permissible for these JAFZ offshore companies to be owned by a ‘traditional’ offshore company, which can in turn be owned by the individual investor. These structures were more popular in years gone by, as the ultimate ownership was removed from the local jurisdiction and hence removed from the vagaries of the local inheritance position at the time. Since the introduction of the DIFC WPR however, many investors have felt comfortable to eschew such structures for simpler direct ownership models.  

Other drawbacks include costs. It can be expensive to establish and maintain an offshore structure and the legalisation and translation of the paperwork required to buy and sell the underlying asset can be expensive. They do however still provide a solution that addresses succession concerns and they can be used to integrate local property acquisitions into existing portfolio structures.

Benefits of owning a property in Dubai

Beyond the structure you choose, there are clear advantages to owning property in Dubai. Buyers benefit from secure freehold rights in designated areas, a tax friendly environment and access to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets. Many also see ownership as a pathway to residency, while investors enjoy strong rental yields and potential capital growth.

To keep up with the latest trends and price movements, explore our regular Dubai Market Reports. If you’re at the start of your journey, browse properties for sale in Dubai or read our buyers’ guide for a step-by-step overview.