RERA + Legal✓ Updated Jan 2026

Form A vs Form B vs Form F in Dubai Real Estate

The three core RERA forms — when to use each, common errors, and how to avoid voided contracts.

·7 min read·By AgentsAI Editorial
Form A, Form B and Form F are the three standard RERA-drafted contracts that govern almost every sale, off-plan purchase and tenancy in Dubai. Using the wrong form or leaving a mandatory field blank voids the contract and blocks DLD registration.

Form A – Sale and Purchase of Completed Property

Form A is the only contract RERA accepts for the transfer of ready units. It records the agreed price, payment schedule, and any chattels included in the sale. Because the property already holds a title deed, the contract moves straight to DLD for the 4 % transfer fee split between buyer and seller unless otherwise negotiated. Typical properties handled on Form A include ready apartments in Dubai Marina towers such as Marina Mall Residences or townhouses in Arabian Ranches 2.

Key fields agents often miss

  • Exact plot and villa number (not just community name)
  • Service-charge balance certificate issued by the developer or RERA-approved management firm
  • DEWA final bill clearance and NOC

Omitting any of these items triggers an automatic rejection at the DLD counter and restarts the 30-day cooling-off clock.

Form B – Sale and Purchase of Off-Plan Property

Form B is mandatory for every off-plan unit sold before the building receives its completion certificate. It must list the escrow account number held at a DLD-approved bank, the percentage of each payment stage (usually 10 % on booking, 40 % during construction, 50 % on handover), and the exact handover quarter stated in the master developer’s SPV licence. Projects launched in 2025–2026 such as Emaar’s Dubai Creek Harbour towers or Nakheel’s Palm Jebel Ali still use Form B until the units are handed over.

Common drafting mistakes

  • Writing an estimated handover date instead of the quarter printed on the RERA registration certificate
  • Omitting the escrow account number, which stops ICP and MOHRE from issuing the buyer’s residency visa later
  • Failing to attach the RERA project brochure as Annex A, making the contract incomplete

Any of these gaps can push the transaction into a lengthy RERA dispute committee hearing that averages six months.

Form F – Tenancy Contract

Form F is the bilingual RERA lease template required for all residential and commercial tenancies exceeding 10 years. It records the annual rent, security deposit (normally 5 % of annual rent), and Ejari number issued after DLD stamping. In practice, agents in JLT and JVC use Form F for both 1-year and multi-year leases; the contract is registered online via the Ejari portal within 30 days of signing or the landlord risks a fine of AED 1,000 per month.

Critical clauses to double-check

  • Maintenance responsibility split: landlord for structural, tenant for internal fixtures
  • Clear notice period wording—usually 90 days for non-renewal
  • Index-linked rent increase cap of 20 % only when the RERA rental index supports it

Skipping the Ejari step leaves the tenant unable to connect DEWA or obtain a tenancy contract for school admissions.

Step-by-step verification checklist before submission

  1. Confirm the property status on the DLD portal: “Ready” = Form A; “Off-Plan” = Form B; “Lease” = Form F.
  2. Match the exact form version number printed on the RERA website; older versions are rejected.
  3. Attach all NOCs, service-charge statements and escrow details as separate PDFs named exactly as the clause references.
  4. Have both parties sign every page; RERA now requires digital signatures via the Property Finder or Bayut integrated e-signature module.
  5. Submit within 30 days for sales and 7 days for tenancies; late filing attracts additional DLD fees of AED 500–2,000.

Real-world example of a voided contract

A broker listed a 1,248 sqft two-bedroom apartment in JVC District 15 on Form A instead of Form B because the building had not yet received its completion certificate. The DLD counter rejected the file. The buyer walked away, the seller relisted at a 7 % lower price, and the agency lost both commission and reputation. The mistake cost roughly AED 45,000 in lost fees and three weeks of rework.

Question: Can I amend a signed Form A after DLD registration?

No. Once the title deed is issued, any change requires a new Form A and fresh 4 % transfer fees; minor corrections are only possible through a RERA rectification application that costs AED 1,050 and takes 10–14 working days.

Question: Is Form F compulsory for short-term holiday homes?

Yes, even for 30-day tourist lets. The owner must still register a Form F Ejari contract and pay the 5 % tourism dirham fee through the Dubai Tourism portal; failure to do so blocks the unit from listing on licensed platforms.

Question: Who pays the RERA form fees?

The buyer normally pays the DLD transfer fee, but the cost of printing and e-signing the RERA form itself is split 50/50 unless the contract states otherwise. Typical combined Form A or B fees range from AED 540 to AED 1,200 depending on property value.

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