The rules you must follow every day in Dubai

Most brokers who get into trouble in Dubai are not criminals. They skipped a form, posted an advert without a permit or ignored a red flag on a payment. This lesson is your daily safety net.

The contracts: Forms A, B, F and I

RERA sets standard contracts. You will use them every week.

Form	Between	What it does
Form A	Seller and brokerage	The mandate to market the property
Form B	Buyer and brokerage	The agreement to help the buyer
Form F	Seller and buyer	The sale agreement, often called the MOU
Form I	Brokerage and brokerage	Agent to agent deal, with the commission split

A few points to remember:

• No Form A, no advert. The DLD asks for the marketing contract with the owner before it issues an ad permit.
• Form F usually comes with a security deposit of 10% of the price, given as a cheque in the seller’s name and held by the agency or conveyancer until transfer (fäm Properties). In a dispute, RERA offers an amicable settlement through Trakheesi; if that fails, the parties go to court.
• Form I is signed before the viewing when two brokers share a deal. It prevents commission fights.
• Leases are registered in Ejari. Law 26 of 2007 makes registration the landlord’s responsibility, though in practice the agent often handles it.

Advertising: a permit for every advert

Every property advert, on a portal, on social media or in print, needs a permit issued through Trakheesi, and the permit number must appear on the advert (Brokerage Practice Guide).

• Since 24 April 2023, each permit carries a Madmoun QR code. Anyone can scan it and see the approved advert details on the DLD site, and whether the property is already sold or rented.
• A property can be listed by no more than three brokers, and adverts must come down as soon as it is sold (Gulf News, 2022).
• The details in the advert must match the permit. In 2024 RERA warned that using a project permit to advertise specific units is a violation, with a fine of AED 50,000 and possible suspension of the broker for up to 3 months.
• Open houses and property exhibitions need their own DLD permits too.

Anti-money laundering (AML)

Real estate is a target for money laundering, and the law treats you as a front-line checker.

1. You are a DNFBP. Brokers are designated non-financial businesses and professions, supervised for AML by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. Every brokerage must register on goAML, the reporting platform.
2. Know your client (CDD). Identify and verify the client. For companies, identify the beneficial owners holding 25% or more. If you cannot complete CDD, do not go ahead.
3. Report cash and crypto. A Real Estate Activity Report (REAR) is required when a freehold deal involves cash of AED 55,000 or more, in one or several payments, or any payment in virtual assets. It is filed on goAML.
4. Report suspicion. File a suspicious transaction report on goAML through your compliance officer. Third-party payments are a classic red flag.
5. Never tip off. Telling a client about a report is an offence, with fines starting at AED 50,000 (Uppersetup).
6. Screen sanctions lists. On a confirmed match, funds are frozen without delay and the authorities informed.
7. Keep records for at least five years.

The current law is Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, in force since 14 October 2025. It raised the maximum fine for companies in money laundering cases to AED 100 million.

Calls, data and privacy

• Telemarketing: Cabinet Resolution 56 of 2024 limits marketing calls to 9 am to 6 pm, from numbers registered to the company, never from personal numbers. Do not call again after a refusal.
• Owner contacts: RERA’s Green List shows owners who agreed to be contacted. Bought databases lead to complaints.
• Photos: posting a client’s image without consent can break the UAE cybercrime law. Ask in writing.

What gets brokers fined or banned

• Advertising without a valid permit, or with someone else’s permit.
• Wrong prices or details compared with the permit.
• Working without a valid card, or after it expires.
• Skipping CDD, ignoring cash reporting, tipping off.
• Pressure tactics and promised returns.

In a 2020 campaign, the DLD fined 10 companies and warned 30 for advertising breaches, with progressive fines starting at AED 50,000. Repeated breaches can cost an agency its licence.

Practise these rules in rules and processes and compliance.

Rules and fines change. Check the official source (DLD, RERA or the Ministry of Economy and Tourism) before you act. This lesson is not legal advice.