Real Property, Landlord-Tenant, and Registration
Property Rights
Understand ownership, usufruct, and leasehold as distinct rights. Know the rules on registration: in most emirates, ownership transfers only upon registration in the land register, not upon signing the contract. Study the rules on joint ownership, partition, and pre-emption.
Landlord-Tenant Law
Master the lease contract: rent, term, renewal, and the notice period for eviction. Know the grounds for eviction (non-payment, unlawful subletting, personal use, demolition/redevelopment) and the requirement of notice through the appropriate channel. Understand rent increase rules and the role of the rental dispute committee.
Registration
Study the cadastral system, the effect of registration against third parties, and the rules on off-plan sales and escrow accounts for development projects.
Traps
Common traps: assuming an unregistered sale transfers ownership; confusing the notice period for eviction with the notice for rent increase; and overlooking that eviction for personal use requires proof and proper notice. Another trap is treating the rental dispute committee as a court of general jurisdiction.
Rule of thumb
For ownership questions, ask whether the transfer was registered. For tenancy questions, ask whether the correct statutory notice was served before the act complained of.