Abu Dhabi Law 19 of 2005 did two things, firstly it allowed Emiratis to buy and sell land (they had not been allowed to do this before that date), and secondly it created the notion of “Investment Areas” in which property can be “owned” by non-UAE Nationals. No-one apart from UAE nationals (or companies wholly owned by them (not just 51%)) can own property outside Investment Areas (which are Reem...

Fancy your own private jetty? What about an exclusive island villa? We take a look at Abu Dhabi’s most luxurious residential developments. Now where did we put our checkbook? The Hills Few have heard of The Hills development near the Grand Mosque and the Armed Forces Officers Club and even fewer know the complex is home to luxurious five-bedroom villas. With sweeping staircases and stunning hallways,...

This article originally featured in Abu Dhabi Week in January 2014. It is written by Ben Crompton a former lawyer and current managing partner of Crompton Partners Estate Agents LLC. So when it comes to residents’ questions about and lord’s obligations and the rules on subleasing, he’s your man. Read the original article in Abu Dhabi Week here I’m about to move into a new property. What...

1. The Market in the UAE Expatriates can buy in several areas in the UAE, namely Saadiyat, Reem Island, Raha Beach, Al Reef, Hydra and al Ghadeer, these areas are discussed in more detail in our “Guide to Buying Property in Abu Dhabi”. Visit our entire Guide Library here. Like the rest of the world Abu Dhabi’s housing market peaked in 2008/9 and then went through four years of consolidation...

Renting in Abu Dhabi is full of mis-information, smoke and mirrors to catch the unwary. Here is your complete guide, step by step, to renting a property. Never be confused again. This is an abbreviated version of the guide, for the full guide please email guides@cpestateagents.com. When To Start Looking - The best time to start looking will be a month to three weeks before you want to...

The Abu Dhabi rent cap was first introduced in 2006 by what has become known as the Tenancy Law. Set at 7 per cent per year, it meant tenancy agreements coming up for annual renewal could only be subject to a maximum 7 per cent rent increase. This was later tightened to 5 per cent in 2010 to combat rental rates that were spiraling out of control because of an expanding population and very little...

A Tail of Two Cities Abu Dhabi and Dubai are two cities with vastly different personalities united by common cultural ideals and practises. Their real estate markets have also reached different points in their cycles and when considering the property market in the UAE these two giants may be brothers, but need to be treated as individuals. Dubai is witnessing a slowdown and perhaps a peak in sales and...

How has UAE law changed over the years for expats buying property? The law has remained the same since 2007 but the process has been refined. Property developers are now more sophisticated when it comes to conducting the sales process and registering the sale. In Abu Dhabi, a process has evolved which sees buyers make an offer by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and handing over a deposit to...

On 9th November 2014 one of the most exciting buildings in Abu Dhabi opened its doors to throngs of eager tenants. You will no doubt have seen the tower that is now known as Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid rising up with its smaller twin over the World Trade Center (WTC) Mall and the WTC Souk over the last four years. It has been worth the wait. Referred to by some as the “Lipstick Building”, it is...