Dubai Property Scam - 5 Tips to Avoid Them
Look For RERA registration
The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) of the Dubai Land Department oversees the industry in Dubai. All brokers and developers are required to be registered by RERA. You can check for RERA registration on its official website. Remember that unless your agent is on the website, it is wise not to engage with that person for any property deal. Scammers may also have fake IDs.
Price estimate
If an offer sounds exceptionally good, it is probably not right. One common strategy that scammers adopt is enticing investors and homeowners to have unrealistic deals. Therefore, it is always wise to consult a reliable RERA-licensed real estate broker. They will be able to estimate the value of your property. If you want to buy, understand the market and average price in the area for that type of property.
Official contract
Another way to avoid a real estate scam is to make sure your contact is legalized. If you are renting a property, you should register your lease with the Ejari of Dubai Land Departments. If you wish to purchase a property, be sure to make an officially recognized and valid agreement between you and the agent for the service that provides the brokerage. You may also need a format agreement between you and the developer in some cases.
Check payments
Many real estate scams have one thing in common - cash-only transactions. Scammers will not want to leave any trace that will take them back. Therefore, most of them will ask you to pay cash. There is nothing wrong in stressing that you want all transactions paid via check or bank transfer. Likewise, make sure that any advance payment you make is always documented and accepted by the agent.