Real Estate Purchase & Sales
Clear, practical legal support for property purchase & sales in the UAE, helping you protect your rights, family, assets and future.
Property Purchase & Sales
Buying or selling property in the UAE involves real legal risk at every step. We check developer reliability, review off-plan contracts, supervise conveyancing, and provide end-to-end legal representation – protecting your investment from first deposit to final title transfer.
In-depth description
Buying property in the UAE – whether off-plan from a developer or on the secondary market – involves significant legal risk if not properly managed. Developer contracts, DLD registrations, and escrow arrangements all need careful scrutiny. We provide structured legal support across the entire purchase or sale process.
Developer Advisory (Reliability Check)
Before you invest, we provide a crucial due diligence service on real estate developers. We conduct a thorough check on the developer’s track record, the project’s legal standing with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), and the status of its escrow account. This reliability check is designed to protect you from problematic or fraudulent off-plan projects.
Scope of work
- Conduct a search on the developer’s corporate standing and project history.
- Verify the project’s registration and legal status with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
- Confirm the existence and status of the project’s official escrow account.
- Review public records for any history of major litigation or canceled projects.
Deliverables
- A concise Due Diligence Report summarizing the findings and providing a clear risk assessment (low/medium/high).
Pricing
- AED 1,500 (Fixed Fee)
Contract Review (Developer)
Signing a developer’s Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) without legal review is a significant risk. Our service provides a meticulous review of your off-plan contract, identifying onerous clauses, hidden costs, and ambiguities. We provide clear advice on potential risks and suggest amendments to protect your rights as a buyer.
Scope of work
- Conduct a thorough legal review of the developer’s Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA).
- Identify and explain any onerous, ambiguous, or non-standard clauses to the client.
- Draft a list of recommended amendments to better protect the client’s interests.
- Provide a clear summary of the key obligations, payment milestones, and completion dates.
Deliverables
- A marked-up copy of the SPA with comments.
- A formal Review Report summarizing key risks and recommended changes.
Pricing
- AED 2,500 (Fixed Fee)
Property Conveyance & Sales Supervision
We provide a comprehensive supervision service for property resale transactions. Our role is to manage the entire conveyance process, from drafting the MOU (Form F) to coordinating with the real estate agent, the other party’s conveyancer, and the registration trustee, ensuring a secure and seamless transfer of title at the Dubai Land Department.
Scope of work
- Draft or review the official RERA-mandated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU / Form F).
- Liaise with the real estate agents, the other party, and their conveyancer to coordinate the transaction.
- Review all necessary documentation, including the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer.
- Attend the final transfer meeting at the registration trustee’s office to supervise the closing.
Deliverables
- A reviewed and approved MOU.
- Full coordination and supervision of the transaction process.
- A closing statement detailing the flow of funds.
Pricing
- AED 20,000 onward (Hourly rate)
Legal Representation (Purchase/Sale)
This is our all-inclusive, end-to-end representation service for your property transaction. We act as your legal advocate from the very beginning to the final handover. This includes drafting and negotiating contracts, conducting due diligence, managing all payments, and representing you at the DLD for the title transfer, providing complete peace of mind.
Scope of work
- Conduct initial due diligence on the property and parties.
- Draft, negotiate, and finalize the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
- Manage the entire No Objection Certificate (NOC) process with the developer.
- Coordinate with mortgage lenders, if applicable.
- Represent the client at the registration trustee’s office for the final transfer of title, including managing the exchange of manager’s cheques.
Deliverables
- End-to-end management of the entire transaction.
- The new Title Deed issued in the client’s name.
- A full closing file with all transaction documents.
Pricing
- AED 8,000 onward (Hourly rate)
Are you buying or selling property in the UAE?
Are you buying off-plan from a developer?
Have you received an MOU and are not sure what to do next?
Do you know if the developer and project are legally sound?
Are you selling a property on the secondary market?
Frequently asked questions
Buyers have remedies through RERA, which regulates developers and escrow accounts. Legal claims for refund, compensation or contract rescission can be pursued through the real estate courts or arbitration. Outcomes depend on the contract terms, developer status and the escrow account position.
Key contacts:
Romain Astruc
Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation
Marie-Agnès Descrozaille
Partner – Commercial, Labor & Litigation
Gabriel Elmarzouki
Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation
Other services you might need
Property acquisition in the UAE involves legal, financial and residency dimensions that are closely connected to each other.
Real Estate Disputes - Landlord, Tenant & Developer
Immigration & Visa Services - incl. Golden Visa
UAE Wills - DIFC, ADGM & Dubai Court Wills
WHAT SET US APART
Why ASTRUC & Co
Buying or selling property in the UAE involves real legal risk at every stage. Senior oversight matters from offer to title.
1.
Senior counsel only
Property transactions in the UAE are high-value and irreversible. We assign experienced lawyers to protect your interests from initial contract review through to title
2.
End-to-end coverage
We handle the full transaction: title verification, developer due diligence, contract review, NOC process, DLD registration and post-completion matters.
3.
French-UAE fluency
French nationals buying in the UAE face specific tax and succession questions. We address the property transaction and its French tax and estate planning implications
More than legal counsel
With you, all the way
Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.
From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.
Ready to move forward?
Talk to our team about your situation. We’ll walk you through your options and help you move forward with clarity.
