Sell Property in Dubai from Abroad: What You Must Know

Life can take unexpected twists and turns. If you are a property owner in the UAE but are living abroad, unable to travel back to complete the sale transaction, a Power of Attorney (POA) is the perfect solution for you.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works and what are the things you need to consider:

Selling a Property in the UAE While Living Abroad 

Usual Scenario: 

• You lived and worked in the UAE for more than 10 years as an expat.
• You purchased a property in a prime location (e.g. The Palm Jumeirah or Downtown Dubai)
• Due to unforeseen events, you have to return permanently to your home country.
• You have no choice but to sell your property. Due to personal reasons, you couldn’t fly back to the UAE to complete the sale transaction.

How to Use a POA to Sell a Property in Dubai from Abroad

A Power of Attorney (POA) for property transactions in Dubai is a legal document allowing someone (your “Attorney”) to act on your behalf in selling your real estate when you’re unable to be physically present.

To issue a POA for Property Sale in Dubai, you must present a Title Deed or Oqood Certificate (Initial Contract of Sale) issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD)

💡 Not sure about the difference between an Oqood and a Title Deed?

Check out our detailed guide here: Oqood vs Title Deed – Key Differences Explained

 Legal Rules to Sell Property in Dubai from Abroad Using a POA

General POAs that state selling any real estate property in Dubai can only be granted to first-degree relatives (spouse, parents, or children). A proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be presented to the notary.  

If the certificate is issued outside the UAE, it has to be duly legalized up to the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE, and translated into Arabic.

 Most Notary offices in the UAE, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, apply an internal policy limiting POAs for real estate sales to a maximum of two years. If the POA is issued from outside the country, it can only be valid for a maximum of one (1) year from the date of legalization.

 Who can be your POA Agent (“Attorney”)?

• A family member (e.g., parents, children, or spouse)
• A trusted friend
• A licensed property agent/broker
• A professional service provider such as POA.ae with extensive experience in handling real estate transactions legally and efficiently

💡 Wondering if a broker can act as your POA?

Read our in-depth article: Can I give power of attorney to a broker to sell my property in Dubai? – It explains the legalities, limitations, and best practices when appointing brokers as your attorney.

How to Receive Sale Proceeds When Selling Property in Dubai from Abroad

Here are some new DLD rules that sellers and even buyers need to take note to ensure a smooth property sale transaction:

• The manager’s cheque can only be under the owner’s (seller’s) name
• Iqrar (Acknowledgement Deed) will now only be accepted if supported by valid proof of payment, such as a bank transfer confirmation or a copy of a cheque. Cash or undocumented payments will no longer be valid.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Selling your property remotely is possible with the use of a Power of Attorney (POA)
• General POAs for real estate sales can only be issued to first-degree relatives. For non-first-degree relatives, a Title Deed or Oqood must be presented
• POA for Property Sale issued in the UAE can only have a validity up to 2 years; foreign-issued POAs can only be valid for 1 year
• Manager’s cheque can only be issued under the seller’s name
• Consider working with a professional firm like POA.ae to ensure legal compliance and a smooth transaction.

Need Help to Sell a Property in Dubai from Abroad?

Contact us at POA.ae – the UAE’s trusted provider of online POA drafting and e-notarization services.

 📩 contact@poa.ae | ☎️ 800-POAAE (76223)

Explore Our Real Estate POA Services

 Frequently Asked Questions about Property POAs

• Can I sell my property while living abroad?

Yes! You can authorize someone to act on your behalf by issuing a Power of Attorney (POA), allowing them to complete the sale transaction for you.

• Can I issue a Power of Attorney online?

Yes, thanks to the UAE’s digitalization initiative, individuals can now issue a Power of Attorney (POA) for use in the UAE from anywhere in the world online. Learn more about how to prepare a POA from abroad in our step-by-step guide.

• What is the cost of an online POA in the UAE?

To know more about the POA costs and timeline, please visit our pricing page or contact us for a more detailed overview of the pricing.

• What is the process of online POA in the UAE?

• Submit all the required documents online
• Do a quick video verification with the notary
• Receive your digitally issued, notarized POA, ready and legal to use anywhere in the UAE.

Contact us today to get started!

• Who should the manager’s cheque be issued to?

Under the new DLD rule, Manager’s cheques must be issued under the seller’s name only.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute as legal advice nor should it be used as a basis for any specific action or decision. Nothing on this page or website is to be considered as rendering of legal advice or legal services for any specific matter. Users of this website are advised to seek specific legal advice by contacting a lawyer regarding any specific legal issues.