The Dubai Land Department (DLD) reviewed the role of legislative and regulatory frameworks, transparency, real estate data and digital transformation in protecting the rights of investors and enhancing the attractiveness of the real estate market in the emirate, during its participation as a strategic government partner in the Rise 2026 Summit, which was held today, October 14, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.The session was held under the theme ‘Restoring Growth Momentum in Global Economies’, with more than 300 international institutional investors, representatives of sovereign wealth funds, government leaders, developers and decision-makers.During a panel discussion titled “From Vision to Value: Drawing the Future of Dubai’s Real Estate Sector,” Majid…

The Zabeel District – Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC Zabeel District) project will feature more than 4,000 residential units and, upon completion, will have a workforce of more than 125,000 employees, according to His Excellency Issa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre. The estimated development value of the project is more than $27.2 billion (100 billion dirhams).During the session, the most prestigious financial neighborhood in the world within the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, Kazim said that the project will double the capabilities of the Dubai International Financial Centre and accommodate more than 42 thousand companies when completed. It extends over an area of 7.1 million square feet, with a total floor area of 17.7 million square…

In September 2026, Dubai recorded the highest level of residential leases since the beginning of the year, in a sign of continued strong demand in the real estate market, in conjunction with a significant rise in mortgage activity and increased interest of buyers, especially villas and townhouses.Total leases registered through the Ejari system, which includes residential and commercial contracts, amounted to about 96,000 contracts in September, an increase of 15.8% compared to August, according to data from Property Finder.31.2 thousand new residential leaseThe number of new residential leases, with the exception of renewed contracts, amounted to about 31.2 thousand contracts, recording a monthly increase that exceeds the rates witnessed in September in 2024 and 2025, indicating that the…

A new waterpark will open in Dubai very soon, according to the CEO of Dubai Holding Entertainment (DHE). Speaking at the Rise summit in Dubai on Wednesday, Fernando Eiroa revealed that the water park will open in the next couple of months. "It's specifically for the summer and there is a lot of water around it," Eiroa said, confirming it will be a water park added to the Dubai Parks and Resorts portfolio. The announcement came as Fernando discussed the scale of Dubai's entertainment offering. He said entertainment has become central to the emirate's tourism success. "Dubai has been and is very well known for amazing hotels, different experiences, and now it is an entertainment destination," he said. Global Village overtakes Disney's Magic Kingdom Fernando highlighted Global Village as…

Kasumigaseki Properties Development, the development arm of Japan’s Kasumigaseki Capital, which is listed on the main market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, has announced its transition from investing in real estate to developing its own projects in the UAE, and will reveal details of its first projects in the country soon.Founded in 2011, Kasumegase, it was listed on the growth market in 2018 and then moved to the main market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2023. The company operates in sectors including hotels, logistics, overseas markets and healthcare.According to a recent press release, the company relies on three Japanese values of quality, tranquillity and innovation, while the parent group announced 135 projects, and the total value of its portfolio of projects and assets…

Rentals of real estate in Dubai’s Steak Real Estate Investment Platform portfolio have fallen by 12 per cent since February, prompting the company to eliminate the 7% performance fee when selling real estate and move the new property management to its internal team, according to a report published by Arabian Business.Rami Tabbara, co-founder and co-CEO of STEC, said the past six months have been difficult for investors, adding that the company should have communicated with them more clearly about the impact of regional instability on its real estate portfolio.In a letter to customers published by Arabian Business, Tabbara said property values in the company’s portfolio had fallen 5% since February. “We’ve launched Stick to help everyone build wealth through real…

The value of real estate trading in Sharjah amounted to about $ 12.8 billion (46.8 billion dirhams) during the first nine months of 2026, compared to about $ 12.1 billion (44.3 billion dirhams) in the same period last year, a growth of 5.6%, according to data from the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department.The total number of transactions executed increased to 91,560, an increase of 14% compared to 80,320 transactions during the same period in 2025. The title deed transactions recorded 34,420 transactions, a growth of 11.2%, while the number of initial sales contracts reached 11,258 contracts.Mortgage transactions recorded 3,839 transactions with a total value of about $2.8 billion (AED 10.2 billion) and were carried out through 31 funding entities.24,749 transactions for sale in 216…

The real estate market in the Emirate of Sharjah maintained its growth momentum during the first nine months of 2026, recording cash trading of AED 46.8 billion, compared to AED 44.3 billion during the same period in 2025, a growth of 5.6%.The data of the Department of Real Estate Registration in Sharjah showed an increase in the total number of transactions carried out from the beginning of the year until the end of September to 91,560 transactions, compared to 80,320 transactions during the same period last year, an increase of 14%, in an indicator that reflects the continuation of activity and the expansion of the market base.High transactions of ownership and mortgageThe number of title deed transactions increased to 34,420, an increase of 11.2%, while the number of initial sales…

Mashreq Bank has announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with Expo City Dubai to provide mortgage financing solutions for qualified buyers wishing to own residential units under construction in selected projects in Expo City, whose residential portfolio includes more than 3 thousand units currently under development.Under the agreement announced today, real estate buyers in approved projects will be able to apply for real estate financing during the construction phase, in accordance with eligibility criteria, credit approvals and approved conditions at Mashreq.The cooperation includes financing housing units in selected projects within the real estate portfolio of Expo City Dubai, without specifying the names of the projects covered or the available financing rates or the…

For thousands of tenants and landlords in Dubai, rental disputes were resolved through an agreement in days rather than a prolonged legal battle this year The Rental Disputes Center said it concluded 2,350 amicable settlement cases between January and the end of September, involving a combined value of Dh401 million. On average, each case was resolved in six days. The cases were handled through the RDC’s Conciliation and Settlement Department, which helps parties in a rental dispute reach a solution both sides can accept. The settlement process is separate from a disputed case that goes on for a final ruling. It gives the parties a structured legal route to discuss the dispute and reach an agreement, while their rights remain protected. If the tenant and landlord agree, the…

The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre—part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport—has launched a new, mandatory training curriculum to qualify real estate brokers and enable them to obtain a license to practice real estate consultancy and brokerage in the emirate. This initiative was developed in collaboration with the "Mawahib" Centre (under the Department of Government Enablement), ThinkProp, and the Abu Dhabi School of Management.According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the new curriculum aims to standardize professional competency criteria for real estate brokers and enhance their regulatory knowledge and advisory skills. This initiative seeks to qualify them to serve as trusted advisors and contribute to improving the quality of services provided to investors…

Dubai's residential real estate market has seen a significant drop in transaction volumes as a result of the Middle East war. However, specific segments of the market are now experiencing a price correction, albeit a moderate one, according to S&P Global Ratings.  That’s because of a change in market dynamics over the past several years, with the UAE's visa reforms supporting a higher proportion of long-term investors and end users. "Our base case is that the Middle East disruptions will continue into 2027. This, together with new deliveries due in 2027-2028, could accelerate the price correction, particularly in investor-driven apartment segments," explained S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Sapna Jagtiani. "However, if geopolitical risk subsides in 2027,…