Dubai’s real estate sector is growing exponentially with every passing year. This success is partly down to the ease of doing business and utmost transparency in the real estate transactions in the emirate. The Dubai Land Department (DLD), one of the city’s most prominent government entities, keeps track of the real estate market and all property transactions. Let’s learn more about DLD and its customers’ services.
What is Dubai Land Department (DLD)?
DLD is a government-run entity in Dubai that oversees all real estate trading operations in the city and provides customers with a highly integrated, transparent and secure experience.
Established to propel the emirate’s real estate sector across the globe, DLD legalises the sale and purchase of land, boosts investment operations and settles disagreements. Whether you are buying a villa in Dubai or renting an apartment, the DLD ensures the interests of landlords, tenants and investors are protected.

Regulatory Arms of Dubai Land Department
In collaboration with its major regulatory arm, RERA, Dubai Land Department takes effective measures in matters relating to Dubai’s real estate market.
Real Estate Regulatory Agency
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) regulates real estate operations, settles disputes and offers a legal framework to everyone associated with the property investment sector of Dubai. This authority takes care of the interests of all the stakeholders in the Dubai property market. This handy RERA guide lists all its functions and services.
Real Estate Investment Management and Promotion Center
This centre aims to connect clients with key players in the real estate market and promote short and long-term investments in a secure, sustainable manner. This organ of the Dubai Land Department also supports local and overseas investors and works to provide a stable and secure environment while helping the move towards a green economy to achieve the government’s outlined sustainability goals.
Rental Dispute Settlement Center
The Rental Dispute Settlement Center is the judicial arm of the Dubai Land Department that uses different methods to settle issues and matters about the real estate market. The system ensures greater accuracy and impartiality, helping tenants renting villas and apartments in Dubai to quickly settle disputes and manage transactions in a mutually beneficial manner.
The list of services includes the following.
- Writ of Payment
- Writ of Certiorari Lawsuit
- Petition Order
- Offer and Deposit
- Grievance on Writ of Payment
- Grievance
- First Instance Lawsuit (Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Properties)
- First Instance Lawsuit
- Execution Proceeding (Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Properties)
- Execution Proceeding
- Dispute Lawsuit (for Amicable Settlement)
- Appeal
Here’s how you can file rental increase disputes with RERA if facing any difficulties.
Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute
As the name indicates, the Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute disseminates knowledge about the real estate sector in Dubai by offering several different courses. It also helps agents acquire licences to work in the UAE real estate market.
The courses here are designed to teach best global practices and include the latest market insights. Students learn about the innovative techniques and tools employed to achieve optimum results.
If you are interested in pursuing this career, here’s a handy guide on how to become a real estate agent in Dubai.
Key Services offered by the Department of Land and Property in Dubai
Dubai Land Authority employs efficient methods to meet the requirements of developers, owners, investors and tenants to hold property in Dubai legally.
Customer Care
From validating your ownership certificate to supervising your properties, DLD leaves no stone unturned in offering you the best services.
Display of Real Estate Transaction Reports
DLD displays regular reports on sale and mortgage transactions. The reports contain a description of the property, area sold/mortgaged and value of the property.
Ownership Certificate Validation
You can also validate your Ownership Certificate from Dubai Land Department by providing your credentials and details about the area and property type.
Real Estate Management Supervision
DLD supervises and audits contracts signed by Management entities for property cleaning, security and maintenance issues. It performs the duties assigned by the Director General.

Inquiry and Complaint
DLD also offers developers, owners, investors and stakeholders the facility to inquire about any property-related matter and file a complaint against any breach of trust.
Property Status Inquiry
DLD offers you an opportunity to inquire about the status of your property online. You can provide the type of property, plot number and area number to initiate an inquiry. If you have invested in off-plan property in Dubai and want to follow up on the progress, DLD can assist you with this.
General Complaint
The Dubai Land Department complaints service enables you to file a complaint against anyone who has breached your trust in the real estate market. Enter your details, select a complaint type, describe the incident and submit a complaint.
Request for Statistical Report
You can request data and statistics related to the real estate market to help make an informed decision.
Land Status Update
This service keeps clients updated about the current status of the land. You can inquire about the status by entering the land or area number.
Education
One of the major objectives of the DLD is to educate its clients about the major reforms and real estate policies in Dubai. It takes many measures to spread knowledge.
Real Estate Courses
DREI or the Dubai Real Estate Institute is the educational wing of DLD. You can enrol in different real estate courses in English and Arabic to gain hands-on knowledge about the investment sector of the city. To register, you need to submit your passport, ID Card, residence permit (non-UAE nationals), commercial license and primary approval from the Economic Department.
Broker Membership Registration
DLD offers workers in the real estate sector of Dubai an opportunity to apply for the Broker Membership program in the Middle East. Offered by Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute, this educational program equips you with the skills required to work as a broker.

DLD online portals and applications
DLD facilitates Dubai residents with a variety of smart applications that they can operate from anywhere.
Smart Investment Map (SIM)
Launched by DLD’s investment wing, Real Estate Investment Management and Promotion Centre, the Investment Map Portal enables all investors to look for investment opportunities online. It runs on both Android and iOS.
Mollak System
Mollak is a web-based payment mechanism that handles all the operations pertaining to the sale and purchase of jointly-owned properties in Dubai. Here’s a guide on the Mollak system detailing the services offered.
eMart
Dubai Real Estate Market (eMart) is an online real estate system to list properties for sale and auction in Dubai. Potential buyers choose the properties listed for auction and offer their bid amount. Once bidding is completed, buyers can make transactions online via noqodi, a payment gateway integrated within the system.
REST
REST is an app that manages the real estate trading and transactional operations of multiple parties. Built as a part of DLD’s contribution to Dubai’s trailblazing, futuristic project ‘Dubai 10X’, REST facilitates brokerage procedures and helps people assess transactions. Investors can easily take stock of the popularity of neighbourhoods using REST’s rental and sale indexes. Whether renting a flat or villa in Dubai, you can easily manage the attestation of your Ejari (tenancy contracts) in Dubai using DLD REST.
Oqood System
The DLD established Oqood system to ensure transparency between developers and buyers in off-plan investment projects. It is an online system with Arabic and English interfaces to manage off-plan property projects and initial sales contract registration.

DLD Partners
DLD partners with a group of companies to provide fast and excellent services to Dubai residents. It collaborates with a range of local and regional organisations to elevate the standards of real estate operations in the city. Its partners are from the following industries.
- Approved Brokers
- Approved Developers
- Certified Auditors
- Escrow Agents
- Licensed Real Estate Brokers Offices
- Management Companies
- Real Estate Service Trustee Centres
- Real Estate Registration Trustee Centres
- Survey Companies
- Valuation Companies
FAQS ABOUT THE DUBAI LAND DEPARTMENT
WHERE IS DUBAI LAND DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE LOCATED?
Dubai’s Land and Property Department is located in the old district of Dubai, Deira. The full address is Baniyas Road, Near Etisalat Building, Deira, Dubai.
HOW CAN I CONTACT THE DUBAI LAND DEPARTMENT?
For any queries, you can call 800-4488.
Please note that DLD call centre remains operational from 07:30 am to 04:30 pm (Monday to Thursday).
WHAT ARE THE WORKING HOURS OF DLD HEAD OFFICE?
DLD head office remains open from 07:30 am to 03:30 pm (Monday to Thursday). Friday opening hours are 07:30 am to 12:00 pm.
DLD is a custodian of transparency and honesty in the real estate sector of Dubai and is constantly making reforms to ensure that investors, tenants and homeowners are catered to in the Dubai property sector. To know more about the products and services offered by DLD, check out its official website.
