UAE-wide guides • 5 min read
How to Verify a Real Estate Agent Licence in UAE
Verify a UAE real estate agent and brokerage through the relevant emirate's official records before signing or transferring funds.
Before working with a real estate agent, verify both the individual and the brokerage with the authority responsible for the emirate where the property is located. Check the agent, brokerage and authority to market the property through the relevant official channels.
Keep the verification and fee agreement with your transaction records.
01What information should you request?
Ask for the agent's full name, professional registration or card number, brokerage name and licence number. Record the property address, project and unit number and the advertisement permit or reference where applicable. Check that the person you are speaking to is the person associated with the licence.
An agent may be licensed but not authorised by the seller to market a specific property. Ask for the relevant listing or brokerage agreement and confirm the seller's identity and authority. Do not rely solely on a photograph of a card sent by an unfamiliar contact.
Swipe or use arrow keys to view all columns.
| Check | Evidence or action |
|---|---|
| Agent | Name, professional registration and current status |
| Brokerage | Licensed company, activity and official contact |
| Listing | Unit, permit and authority to market |
| Agreement | Scope, commission, payment trigger and termination |
| Payment | Verified beneficiary, receipt and transaction channel |
02Use Dubai's official broker search
Dubai Land Department's licensed brokers service allows users to view brokers licensed by RERA through the website or Dubai REST. Use the official service and check that the identity and company match the person offering the property. DLD also provides licence and permit verification through its official channels.
Ask the brokerage to explain any mismatch, expiry or missing record before proceeding. An official listing is a starting point rather than a guarantee of the property's condition, price or the outcome of the transaction. Verify the unit and seller separately.
03Check other emirates locally
Rules, licensing bodies and verification systems are not necessarily the same across the UAE. For Ras Al Khaimah, the Municipality's real estate regulatory administration describes its regulatory responsibilities, including licensing. Ask the relevant authority how to confirm the individual and company for the particular transaction.
For Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain or Fujairah, contact the appropriate local regulator or land authority and use its current official register or verification procedure. Do not assume a Dubai broker search proves permission to act in another emirate.
04Agree the service and commission
Read the brokerage agreement before signing. It should identify the parties, property or search mandate, services, commission, who pays, the payment trigger, any exclusivity and termination terms. Ask whether VAT or other charges are included. A negotiated fee should be documented rather than inferred from a general percentage.
For arithmetic only, a 1% fee on a sample AED 1,000,000 transaction would be AED 10,000, while 2% would be AED 20,000 before any applicable tax. These examples show how the agreed percentage changes the total brokerage fee. Check the contract and obtain a written invoice.
Sample commission calculations
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| 1% example | 10,000 |
| 2% example | 20,000 |
Unit: AED
05Verify the property independently
Request the title or interim registration, seller's identification and authority, any mortgage or tenancy details and required clearance. For an off-plan project, verify registration, the unit, developer and permitted payment account with the local authority. A valid agent licence does not replace a property check.
Visit the unit or appoint an independent inspector. Confirm the actual floor, view, parking, condition and service charges. Compare asking prices with recent completed transactions where available and ask a qualified valuer if an accurate valuation is important.
06Handle payments carefully
Verify the named beneficiary and payment instructions through an independently obtained official number or approved transaction channel. Be cautious if bank details change unexpectedly or an individual asks for money to a personal account without an explained and documented basis. Keep the contract, invoice and official receipts.
Clarify whether a reservation amount is refundable, when it is credited to the price and what conditions apply. If a document is unclear, seek independent legal advice before signing. Never share one-time passwords or identity documents beyond what is required through a verified channel.
07Keep records and follow up
Save the date and result of your licence check, the listing, correspondence, signed agreement and receipts. If an issue arises, first use the brokerage's documented complaints procedure and contact the relevant local regulator when appropriate. Ask which evidence the authority needs.
The Ajman area guide and RAK lifestyle guide provide location context; the licence and property checks remain specific to the actual transaction.
08Recognise a verification mismatch
If the individual is listed under a different brokerage, the card has expired or the company name differs from the proposed agreement, pause the transaction and ask the official regulator or brokerage to clarify. A name can be similar to another person's name, so match the registration number and current status as well. Do not accept pressure to pay immediately as a substitute for resolving the discrepancy.
Check whether the advertisement describes the same unit and seller as the documents you receive. If an agent says a permit is being renewed, ask which official record will show its current status and whether the activity can proceed. Keep a dated note of the result. When the transaction involves more than one agent, establish in writing who represents each party and which commission is due.
09Ask about current listings
Browse Aliyas UAE projects and contact Aliyas to request current options, the relevant agent and brokerage details and the property documents. Confirm the professional credentials and unit through the appropriate authority before committing.
Agree services and fees in writing, and request independent advice on any point you cannot verify.
Sources
Research reviewed 8 November 2026. Publication dates and measurement periods are provided with each source.
- Dubai Land Department: licensed real estate brokersOfficial Dubai search; check current individual status
- RAK Municipality: real estate regulatory administrationOfficial regulatory responsibilities; confirm current process
Property costs, ownership and contract terms vary by home. Speak with Aliyas about the details relevant to your search.