Dubai is among the world’s most forward-thinking, technologically advanced cities, also hosting one of the most dynamic real estate markets globally. It is therefore no surprise that these two strengths have been seamlessly combined, with several government apps now available to assist buyers and sellers in finding properties and managing the legal aspects of their transactions. Read on to discover the best real estate government apps currently serving Dubai.
Dubai REST
Dubai REST is the ideal app for all key stakeholders involved in the buying and selling of property in the city, from property owners and developers to brokers and investors, and everybody in between. The platform allows users to access a number of real estate services, while also providing up-to-date information about their property’s price, market trends, rental returns and service charges.
An all-in-one digital gateway to the city’s real estate ecosystem, the app makes it easy for those involved in the process to keep an eye on their portfolios or deal with legal and transactional matters. It is extremely user-friendly and offers streamlined functionality by allowing users to register property, renew or cancel leases, submit and monitor any disputes, request mortgage information, request property evaluation, and pay any service charge fees.
Additionally, the app displays market-wide data such as sales and rental information, broker and developer performance – a key consideration when deciding to buy property in the city – and information on valuation companies, management companies, consultancy companies and certified developers.
Available in both Arabic and English, this convenient tool simplifies many of the laborious real estate-related tasks which have traditionally eaten up a lot of time for buyers, sellers, developers and agents. This significantly reduces time spent on paperwork in government offices, ideal for the modern Dubai resident.
DubaiNow
DubaiNow differs slightly from other apps, such as Dubai REST, in the fact that it functions as a full-service portal for every aspect of Dubai life. From bills and driving to police and residency services, the app is a full suite gateway of convenience.
Of course, that extends to housing and real estate services, which can be accessed through the ‘Housing’ tab on the mobile app. Users can scroll through rental units, sign, renew or cancel tenancy agreements, verify title deeds and even use the Rental Index rent-calculator from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), which helps current tenants better understand the value of units in their area, and whether or not a landlord can legally increase their annual rent – a key tool in the fight against arbitrary (and illegal) raising of rent.
The app also allows Emirati citizens to apply for or exchange housing grants, land plots or residential units via the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBRHE) – an initiative set up in 2007 to provide housing solutions for all Emirati nationals residing in Dubai.
Just like Dubai REST, the aim is to provide an “all-in-one” ecosystem for all housing needs, reducing time spent on paperwork, minimising delays and giving residents, investors, landlords and other stakeholders access to key housing services. Some of the other services available include housing utilities management, where users can access invoices or activate accounts, in addition to viewing listings, and other support services related to the Dubai property industry.
Dubai Residential
While Dubai Residential is not a government-controlled platform in the same way as Dubai REST or DubaiNow, it retains extremely close ties to the public sector. The company operates as the residential leasing arm of Dubai Holding Asset Management – a major entity that has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s urban landscape. Instrumental in driving the emirate’s economic growth and development since the late 1990s, Dubai Residential reflects the government’s wider vision of creating a streamlined, technology-driven real estate ecosystem that enhances the living experience for residents across the city.
The Dubai Residential app provides seamless property management solutions for tenants and residents across the city, through a user-friendly interface which has been designed to simplify every step of the leasing journey. Users can search for and rent new homes, renew leases, manage maintenance requests and contact the developer directly, all through one intuitive interface.
The app also allows residents to book community amenities, such as padel or tennis courts, pay any service charges and receive updates regarding their communities, including scheduled maintenance or pest control. This virtually eradicates the need for traditional paperwork or notices, also reducing the need for in-person visits, providing a more streamlined living experience.
Property managers and owners can also benefit from the app’s convenience by taking advantage of automated lease renewals, payment collections and maintenance workflows, increasing tenant satisfaction. This reduces the likelihood of disputes arising and makes for a more harmonious relationship between landlord and tenant.
The Dubai Residential app is making it easier to rent property in Dubai by providing a transparent, efficient, easy-to-use ecosystem.
The real estate industry in Dubai has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is now one of the strongest in the world, leading across a range of different metrics. To facilitate this growth, the government has introduced a number of mobile applications, all designed to streamline the entire rental and purchase process. These dedicated apps are changing the face of property management in Dubai, minimising time wasted and allowing key stakeholders to manage every aspect of their real estate journey with unprecedented ease and efficiency.
