RERA + Legal✓ Updated Jan 2026

Power of Attorney for UAE Property Purchases

Buyers outside the UAE often use a POA. Here is what the POA must include and how to get it notarised correctly.

·7 min read·By AgentsAI Editorial
Buyers outside the UAE use a Power of Attorney to complete a property purchase without attending the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or RERA offices in person. The POA must list the exact transaction details, carry an apostille or UAE embassy attestation, and be translated into Arabic before submission.

Why agents recommend POA for off-shore buyers

Most international clients purchasing in Dubai Marina, JLT, or JVC cannot travel for the final DLD registration. A correctly drafted POA lets their chosen representative sign the sale and purchase agreement (SPA), pay the 4% DLD transfer fee, and collect the title deed on the same day. Without the right wording, the DLD rejects the document and the transaction stalls for weeks.

Exact clauses the POA must contain

  • Full passport details and Emirates ID number (if held) of both principal and attorney.
  • Specific property identifiers: project name, unit number, plot number, and total sale price in AED.
  • Explicit authority to execute the SPA, pay all government fees, and register the transfer at the DLD or any free-zone authority.
  • Power to open an escrow account with a DLD-approved developer or trustee and to sign all mortgage documents if financing is involved.
  • Validity period stated in months (most lawyers recommend 6–12 months) and a clear revocation clause.

Step-by-step process to issue and legalise a POA

  1. Draft at source: The buyer’s lawyer outside the UAE prepares the POA in English, inserting the exact property details above. Generic templates from the internet are rejected by the DLD.
  2. Notarise locally: The buyer signs in front of a notary public in their home country. The notary must affix their seal and record the signatory’s passport number.
  3. Apostille or embassy attestation: Countries that are Hague Convention members add an apostille. All other countries require attestation at the UAE embassy in that country.
  4. Translate into Arabic: A UAE Ministry of Justice approved translator produces the official Arabic version. The translation must be bound with the original and carry the translator’s stamp.
  5. Submit at DLD or free zone: The attorney presents the original POA bundle plus copies of both passports and the signed SPA. The DLD processes the transfer within 24–48 hours once fees are paid.

Common rejection reasons and fixes

DLD officers most often reject POAs that omit the property’s exact sale price or that grant only “general powers.” The fix is simple: re-issue the document with line-item amounts and specific plot/unit references before the buyer leaves their home country. Another frequent issue is an expired POA; always set the validity date at least 30 days beyond the expected DLD appointment.

Cost breakdown agents quote clients

  • Foreign notary and apostille: AED 800–1,500 depending on country.
  • UAE-approved translation: AED 350–450 per document.
  • DLD POA registration fee (if required): AED 500.
  • Attorney handling fee in Dubai: AED 2,500–4,000 for full escrow and transfer coordination.

POA versus travel: when to choose each option

If the buyer can reach Dubai within 10 days, flying in is often faster than courier POA processing. However, for clients in the UK, US, or Australia purchasing off-plan units in Arabian Ranches or MBR City, the POA route saves two round-trip flights and keeps the transaction on the developer’s payment schedule.

Can a POA be used for off-plan payments?

Yes. The same POA that authorises DLD registration can also instruct the escrow bank to release stage payments. Developers such as Emaar and Nakheel accept POA instructions provided the document explicitly lists each milestone amount and the corresponding unit number.

Does the POA need to be registered at RERA separately?

No. Once the POA is accepted at the DLD during title transfer, RERA records are updated automatically. Agents should still keep a scanned copy in the transaction file for future service charge or rental contract dealings.

Can one POA cover multiple units?

Yes, provided each unit’s full details—building, floor, number, and price—are listed in numbered clauses. DLD accepts multi-unit POAs, but the document must state the total consideration in a single figure to avoid separate transfer fees.

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