Power of Attorney for a Dubai Property Purchase: How It Works and What to Check

The Short Answer

Where a POA Can Be Signed

Language and Translation

What the POA Should Say

Choosing the Person You Name

Checks Before and After Signing

Common Mistakes

Why Choose Banke International Properties?

Conclusion

Dubai Property Guide · Buying Process Power of Attorney for a Dubai Property Purchase: How It Works and What to Check A power of attorney (POA) lets a person you trust act for you in a Dubai property purchase when you cannot be there in person. It is a legal document, so the wording, the signing route and the person you name all matter. This

guide explains in plain terms what a POA does, how buyers usually arrange one from abroad, and the checks to make before anyone signs on your behalf. The Short Answer A POA is a written authority. You, the principal, name an agent (the attorney) and list what they may do. For a property purchase that can include signing the sale and purchase agreement, paying instalments,

registering the unit and collecting the title documents. A POA is only as safe as its wording and the person you pick, so it should never be a blank cheque. Many overseas buyers do not need one. Some developers and brokers can complete reservation, signing and payment remotely. A POA is useful when a step genuinely needs someone present, such as a transfer appointment. Ask

first whether the step can be done without it. Where a POA Can Be Signed The route depends on where you are. The usual options are: In Dubai or the UAE. Before a notary public, using the notary service that handles powers of attorney. At a UAE embassy or consulate abroad. Some missions can attest documents for use in the UAE. In your home country.

The document is notarised locally and then legalised or apostilled and attested for UAE use, following the process your country and the UAE require. Rules on who accepts what, and on translation, are set by the authorities and by the receiving office. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) trustee office or the developer will tell you what they accept. Ask for their requirements in writing before

you pay for any attestation, because a document in the wrong form can be refused. Language and Translation UAE offices work in Arabic. A POA signed abroad in another language is normally expected to come with a certified Arabic translation. Check whether the translation must be done by a particular type of translator and whether it must be attested as well. Leave time for this

step. What the POA Should Say Vague wording is the biggest risk. A good POA for a purchase is specific about the property, the powers and the dates. The property. Name the unit, building and developer, or the transaction, instead of a general power over all your assets. The powers. List only what you want done, such as signing the agreement or registering the sale.

Be explicit about whether the agent may sell, mortgage or lease. Money. State whether the agent may receive or move funds. If you can, pay the developer or escrow account directly yourself. Duration. Set an end date or end event, such as completion of the transfer. Revocation. Know how you would cancel the POA and how that cancellation reaches the DLD or developer. Choosing the

Person You Name Treat this as a trust decision. People commonly appoint a family member, a lawyer or a firm. If the agent is a lawyer, ask for their licence details and a written scope of work. If it is a broker or a seller-side contact, think hard about the conflict of interest: the person acting for you should not also be the person on

the other side of the deal. Checks Before and After Signing Confirm the process with the developer or DLD trustee office and ask whether they need their own template or specific wording. Verify the property and the seller or developer before authorising anything. See our guide to Banke guide: checking a Trakheesi permit and broker and to Banke guide: what a Dubai title deed shows

. Keep certified copies of the POA, the translation and the attestation stamps. Ask for copies of everything signed under the POA and receipts for every payment. Pay into an escrow account for off-plan. Our Banke guide: escrow guide explains why. Common Mistakes Granting wide powers over all property when only one signature is needed. Signing before the receiving office has confirmed it will accept

the document. Naming the broker or seller's representative as the attorney. Forgetting that a POA may stop on certain events, such as the death of the principal, and not planning for it. Leaving the POA in force after the purchase is complete. Why Choose Banke International Properties? Banke helps overseas buyers understand the steps of a Dubai purchase and which ones need a person on