The Dubai real estate market continues to thrive, with strong deal volumes recorded year-to-date. But if you’re an overseas investor planning to sell your Dubai property, there’s a new legal requirement you can’t afford to ignore.
Starting this week, new rules apply to Power of Attorney (POA) procedures related to property sales — and these changes have direct implications for expat property owners and international real estate investors.
What Has Changed?
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has introduced a new directive:
Cheques for property sales must be issued in the name of the property owner only.
Power of Attorney holders are no longer authorized to receive sale proceeds via cheque.
The seller must have a UAE bank account to process the payment.
This means if you’re using a POA to sell your property, the funds can no longer be cleared through the representative’s account.
Why This Matters to Overseas Investors
Many overseas investors have traditionally relied on trusted representatives or legal proxies to execute real estate transactions via POA. With this shift:
POA-based cheque clearances are no longer accepted.
Foreign-based sellers without a UAE bank account could face delays or failed transactions.
Legal processes like translation, notarization, and POA verification are now more critical than ever.
Real-life Scenario: A UK-based investor had listed a Dubai Marina apartment for sale using POA. Due to the new rule, the buyer’s cheque could not be cleared through the POA’s account. This led to the transaction being put on hold until the seller opened a UAE bank account and reprocessed documentation.
Understanding the New POA Requirements
Here’s a quick table breaking down the comparison before and after the rule:
| Criteria | Before the Rule | After the Rule |
|---|---|---|
| POA cheque acceptance | Accepted | Not Accepted |
| Seller’s UAE Bank Account | Optional | Mandatory |
| Cheque Payee Name | POA holder or Owner | Owner Only |
| Legal Translation & Verification | Recommended | Mandatory |
Important Tip: Ensure your POA document is legally translated, certified by MOJ, and includes up-to-date authentication.
Al-Hamd Legal Translation: Your Trusted Partner for POA & Property Legalities
At Al-Hamd Legal Translation, we specialize in:
Sworn legal translation of POA documents in Arabic and English
MOJ-certified POA documentation for Dubai real estate sales
Expert guidance in preparing documents accepted by Dubai Land Department (DLD) and local banks
Support in opening UAE bank accounts for international sellers
Did you know? Improper translation or certification of your POA can lead to DLD rejection or payment issues.
How to Sell Your Dubai Property Safely (as an Overseas Owner)
Follow these expert-recommended steps:
Get your POA professionally drafted and legalized.
Translate the document via a sworn translator in the UAE.
Open a personal UAE bank account in your name.
Submit all documents to the DLD through the right legal channels.
Work with a certified legal service like Al-Hamd to ensure end-to-end compliance.
Key Takeaways:
Overseas sellers must now have UAE bank accounts to complete property sales.
POA cheques will no longer be accepted for real estate sale transactions.
Proper legal translation and POA certification is crucial.
Ready to Sell Without Hassle?
Let Al-Hamd handle your Power of Attorney in Dubai with MOJ-certified translations, bank account coordination, and DLD-approved legal support.
Power of Attorney Services in Dubai by Al-Hamd