Viewing a Ready Apartment in Dubai: What to Check Before You Make an Offer

The Short Answer

Inside the Apartment

The Building and Common Areas

Around the Property

Questions to Ask Before You Offer

After the Viewing

Why Choose Banke?

Dubai Property Insights · Buying Checks Viewing a Ready Apartment in Dubai: What to Check Before You Make an Offer A viewing in Dubai is your best chance to find problems before you are committed. Most of what goes wrong later, such as water marks, weak air conditioning or noisy neighbours, can be spotted in thirty minutes if you know where to look. This Banke

UAE checklist covers what to inspect inside the unit, in the building and around it, and which questions to ask the agent or seller before you make an offer. The Short Answer Treat the first viewing as a screening visit and the second as a detailed inspection. Look at the unit, the building, the neighbourhood and the paperwork, in that order, and do not make

an offer until you have seen the title deed details and the service charge position. This is different from a snagging inspection, which applies to new handovers (see our Banke guide: Dubai snagging checklist ). A resale viewing is about spotting wear, defects and hidden costs in a home that has already been lived in. Inside the Apartment Air conditioning. Switch every unit on. Check

that it cools, that it is not unusually loud and that there are no drip marks on the ceiling or walls. Ask who maintains it and how old the system is. Water. Run taps and showers, flush toilets, and check the pressure and how quickly hot water arrives. Look under sinks and around the base of toilets for stains. Ceilings and walls. Look for discolouration,

bubbling paint and fresh paint patches in one spot, which can hide a leak. Windows and balcony doors. Open and close each one, and check the seals and locks. Stand still for a minute and listen for road, construction or neighbour noise. Kitchen and appliances. Ask what is included in the sale. Do not assume built-in appliances or fittings stay unless it is written down.

Sockets and lighting. Test a few sockets and switches in each room. The Building and Common Areas Lifts and lobby. Are they clean and working? Slow or broken lifts in a tall tower affect daily life and resale. Parking. Confirm how many spaces come with the unit and where they are. Ask about visitor parking. Gym, pool and facilities. Are they maintained and open? These

are paid for through service charges. Management. Ask who manages the building and how quickly repairs are handled. A well-run building shows it in small details. Around the Property Visit at a different time of day if you can. A quiet street at 11 am can be busy at 6 pm. Check the walk to the nearest shops, the Metro or a bus stop, and

look at what is being built nearby, because construction can affect noise, views and traffic for years. Questions to Ask Before You Offer Is the unit vacant or tenanted? If tenanted, see our guide to Banke guide: buying a tenanted apartment . Is there a mortgage on the property? If so, the bank must be involved in the transfer. What are the current annual service

charges, and are there any unpaid amounts or planned special levies? Why is the owner selling, and how long has it been on the market? Can I see the title deed and the seller's ID? See Banke guide: the Dubai title deed guide for what to look for. After the Viewing Write notes and take photos while you are still there. Compare the unit with

two or three similar ones in the same building before you offer, and ask for the sale to be made subject to a satisfactory inspection if you are not sure about anything. Check the agent's permit as well: our guide on Banke guide: Trakheesi and BRN explains how. Why Choose Banke? Banke helps buyers, owners and investors with Dubai property decisions in plain language: what

the paperwork means, which costs to expect and which questions to ask before you pay anything. We tell you when a deal is not worth doing. To talk through your own situation, contact the Banke team . Note: This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and procedures change, so confirm current details with the relevant authority or a qualified

professional before you commit money. No figures in this article are quotes or promises; where we have left a number out, it is because it changes and should be confirmed at source.