New Dubai Rule for Overseas Property Sellers: Payments Must Be Issued Directly to the Title Deed Owner
Dubai’s property market continues to deliver strong sales volumes in 2025, supported by resilient demand from both domestic and international buyers. However, overseas property owners planning to sell their assets in the emirate must now comply with an important regulatory update. Authorities have introduced a new guideline governing how payments are processed when a seller issues power of attorney (PoA) rights to someone else. With transparency and identity verification at the centre of Dubai’s evolving real estate framework, this rule is expected to streamline processes, reduce risk and reinforce market integrity.
A Shift in Payment Protocols for Overseas Sellers
Starting this week, overseas-based property owners selling real estate in Dubai must ensure that payment cheques are issued exclusively in their own name – the name that appears on the property’s title deed. Cheques made out to a PoA holder will no longer be accepted. This change addresses a long-standing practice where sellers outside the UAE relied on relatives or appointed representatives, using legally attested PoAs, to collect and clear payments on their behalf.
Industry specialists note that this update reflects Dubai’s ongoing commitment to tightening oversight of transactions. According to Yash Trivedi, founder and CEO of YOUAE Mortgages, banks previously issued cheques in the name of the PoA holder if the PoA was endorsed by the Dubai Courts. Under the new rule, this practice is discontinued, and all payments must correspond directly to the name on the title deed. For compliance purposes, the overseas seller must also maintain a bank account in the UAE to clear the payment upon completion of the sale.
This move aligns with broader market reforms aimed at reducing intermediary risk and ensuring that funds are transferred only to verified property owners. For sellers based abroad, it introduces an additional procedural step but significantly enhances transaction transparency.
Power of Attorney Still Allowed — With Stricter Controls
The new rule does not eliminate the use of PoAs altogether. A PoA can still legally act on behalf of the seller during both the buying and selling process, provided it is attested through Dubai Courts. In fact, Dubai has simplified this by enabling remote court attestation, including via Zoom, making it easier for international investors to appoint a representative without being physically present.
What changes is the structure of payment authority. While the PoA may manage document signing, scheduling, or representation at the Dubai Land Department, they will no longer be able to receive or clear sale payments. The financial aspect must remain exclusively tied to the title deed owner. This ensures that the person legally recognised as the property holder receives the funds directly, reducing ambiguity and safeguarding both parties involved.
Real estate advisors highlight that previous PoA transactions sometimes faced complications, especially when document details changed or required additional verification through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By centralising PoA issuance and enforcing clearer payment rules, Dubai Land Department aims to simplify these steps while maintaining stronger verification standards.
High Foreign Investment Reinforces the Need for Transparency
Dubai remains one of the world’s leading destinations for overseas real estate investment. Non-resident buyers continue to drive sales, with 2025 activity surpassing 2024 levels across key districts such as Dubai Marina, Business Bay and Downtown Dubai. Many international investors purchase with the intention of renting their units long-term and only later return to sell, often relying on relatives or agents to handle sale processes through PoA arrangements.
With increased transaction volume comes heightened responsibility for fraud prevention and financial transparency. Dubai’s regulatory enhancements — including escrow protections, digital title deed verification and now this PoA payment restriction — are designed to maintain confidence in a market characterised by diverse investor profiles and cross-border financial flows.
For developers and master communities such as Emaar, Meraas and DAMAC, transparent selling conditions further solidify Dubai’s global reputation. These rules also reassure international buyers that the system prioritises clarity, accuracy and risk reduction.
Implications for Overseas Sellers and Investors
For property owners abroad, the practical implication is straightforward: before initiating a sale, they must ensure they have an active UAE bank account. They must also confirm that all payments will be issued under their name exactly as it appears on the title deed. The PoA can still manage the logistics of the sale, but the financial transaction is strictly reserved for the actual owner.
This measure is expected to enhance efficiency within the Dubai Land Department and standardise payment processing. It also eliminates scenarios where multiple parties could contest cheque issuance or clearance, ensuring a clean and verifiable audit trail.
For investors evaluating future acquisitions in communities such as MBR City or Palm Jumeirah, these safeguards further reinforce the emirate’s position as a globally trusted real estate hub. Clearer rules also support smoother resale cycles, ultimately strengthening long-term liquidity and market stability.
Clearer Processes, Stronger Market Confidence
Dubai’s update to PoA-related payment procedures is part of a broader movement toward enhanced governance and improved transaction clarity. As more overseas investors participate in the city’s real estate boom, rules like these protect both sellers and buyers while elevating Dubai’s global standards. Sellers who prepare early — updating bank accounts, securing court-attested PoAs and aligning title deed information — will benefit from smoother and faster transaction processes.
For tailored guidance on selling or investing in Dubai’s most active communities, or to navigate regulatory updates affecting overseas transactions, you can connect with Aurantius Real Estate for expert advisory and market support.
