Dubai Land Department has notified all owners, developers, property management companies and tenants to register co-occupant details in the owned/leased properties.
The cohabitants registration must be completed within a “maximum of two weeks with immediate effect,” the circular said.
According to the circular, – to register their co-occupants – all owners, developers, property management companies and tenants must follow an 8-step process including adding personal details and the Emirates ID.
Once registered, co-occupants will automatically be updated on the tenancy contract.
The cohabitants registration includes but is not limited to:
- the tenant’s family members and
- domestic help.
For those residing in shared spaces, the holder of the tenancy contract, needs to add the details of co-habitants in the contract owner’s apartment.
The rule will also be applicable to those on visit for over one month in Dubai, residing in residential units will require them to be registered.
“Co-occupants can use the registration as a document of residence, but it cannot be used in place of a tenancy contract for government transactions. While registration of co-occupants is mandatory, the tenancy contract does not need to mention all their names,” the DLD added.
The process needs to be completed by:
- all owners,
- developers, and
- property management companies.
The circular comes as the UAE government updates its rules to reflect the evolving needs of its massive expatriate population. The UAE is home to over 200 nationalities, and the government has been keen in attracting more foreigners to live and work in the country.
In 2020, the UAE relaxed family laws, to allow legal cohabitation of unmarried couples or unrelated flatmates.
It was part of sweeping reforms such as changes to policies around divorce and inheritance, harassment and assault, and alcohol consumption.
How Dubai residents can register cohabitants
Dubai residents need to register all co-habitants in their properties within the next two weeks. The process needs to be completed by all owners, developers, and property management companies.
To do so, residents must first download the Dubai REST App.
After that, the following steps must be taken to register cohabitants:
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 1
Open Dubai REST App and login to the mobile app
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 2
Choose your role as “Individual” and login with UAE PASS for quick access
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 3
Authenticate yourself via UAE PASS mobile app
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 4
From the dashboard, select the property where you are a tenant
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 5
Select Manage co-occupants to proceed
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 6
Select “Add more” to add co-occupants to the property where you are a tenant
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 7
Enter the Emirates ID and date of birth of the co-occupant and select “Verify.”
Dubai cohabitants registration: Step 8
Add all members of the family who are living in that property. To remove a co-occupant, select the delete icon and submit.
Once registered, co-occupants will automatically be updated on the tenancy contract.
More recently, the UAE government has introduced progressive visa regulations that make it easier for foreigners to obtain residence visas – which formally goes into effect next month.
The long-term visas are being granted to investors, entrepreneurs, startup owners, exceptional talents, scientists, professionals in various fields, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes.
The benefits of the long-term visas will extend to immediate family members. Children can be sponsored by the Golden Visa or Green Residence visa holder until the age of 25 – an increase from the previous rule of 18 years – with no age limit for unmarried daughters. Children of determination are granted a residence permit, regardless of their age.
It has been a tremendous past couple of months for the UAE’s real estate sector – as investors bite into the Gulf nation’s bid to become a global hub for property investments.
Dubai’s real estate market hit another high on Monday, September 26, with AED1.7 billion worth of total property deals.
With this growth momentum only expected to continue in the months to come, several real estate companies have welcomed the UAE government’s recent announcements to tighten real estate regulations.
Follow us on
