Property valuation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Property valuation is a crucial part of the property buying, selling, mortgaging (loans), refinancing, renting and insuring process in the UAE. All of these transactions require property valuations before the transaction can be fully and properly completed.

What are the important things to know about property valuation? Throughout this article, we provide all the essential information you need to understand property valuation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and its relevance in real estate transactions.‍

What is property valuation and why you need it?

A property valuation is an accurate estimate of the worth of a property made by trained specialists (valuers) based on inspection and analyzing features and factors such as size, location, condition, etc. in the form of a detailed report outlining the market value. 

Property valuation is necessary if you plan to:

• provide property as collateral for a loan

• resolve the issue of contested property values

• conclude a purchase and sale transaction (sellers, buyers and developers)

• settle disputes or

• examine the investment at various stages of the project.

Which factors influence property value?

There are many internal and external factors that can influence the value of a property, but location, size and usable space, age and condition, local market and economic condition and supply and demand seem to be the most prevalent ones.

Location 
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‍Location is extremely important in determining property price and value. A property that is close to landmarks, the city center, schools, universities, hospitals, shopping malls, recreation areas, and public transportation will sell or rent at a higher price, whereas a property located far from these facilities will result in a lower price.

‍Size and usable space 

‍In addition to its size, the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, balconies, and the general floor plan of the property all affect its value. Naturally, a larger property will cost more than a smaller one.

‍Age and condition 

‍The age of the property also plays an important role in determining its value, since newer properties don't require major renovations or repairs, so buyers are more likely to purchase them. When it comes to condition, a well-maintained older house will have a greater value than a newer one that needs extensive renovations.

‍Local market and economy 
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‍In addition to being one of the hottest real estate markets in the region, Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s economies are strong and stable, which makes UAE properties very desirable and therefore of high value. 

‍Supply and demand

‍Property prices and value will rise if demand exceeds supply but will fall if supply exceeds demand. 

What does a property valuation report include?

Generally, valuation reports contain the following information:

• Introduction and valuation instruction

• Client and intended users

• Valuation purpose

• Basis of valuation

• Surveyors and valuers

• Status and date of valuation

• Extent of investigation

• Property owner and Title Deed Information

• Location of the Property

• Description of the Property

• Condition of property

• Market Value

• Appendixes

• Local market description

• Property documents

• Property photographs

Who does property valuation in the UAE?

Relevant government organizations and professional valuers in licenced valuation companies conduct property valuations in an independent, objective and transparent manner.

There are two ways you can get a property valuation, one via the official website of Dubai Land Department for Dubai/Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) for Abu Dhabi or by using professional valuation services directly.

How to get a property valuation in the UAE?

Dubai - DLD
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You can get a property valuation in Dubai and obtain a real estate valuation certificate via the service center or via Dubai REST. You can pay by cash, debit or credit card and ePay, and you’d usually have to wait from 1 to 8 working days. 

Via the DLD, using the real estate valuation form, you can request valuation for:

• vacant residential, commercial and industrial lands

• residential units

• residential villas

• agricultural lands with an existing building

• commercial or industrial buildings

• villa complexes

• labor camps on a single land

• vacant lands for a major real estate project of for one of its phases

• hotel buildings with the land they exist on

The documents you need:

• A real estate valuation request form

• A letter from the owner and a copy of their valid passport/ Emirates ID Card

• A copy of the municipality map (one year) or the planning map

Additional documents required by type of property to be valuated:

The fees are:

Abu Dhabi - Department of Municipalities and Transport

As for Abu Dhabi, in order to determine the approximate value of a land or property, you can request a certificate through this service (usually lasting 3 working days). An appraisal can be used to show restrictions, such as a registered mortgage or investment, to determine the approximate value of a property or land, or to identify the method by which the property or land was acquired. Your representative can also request this on your behalf if they have a power of attorney.

The process goes like this:

• Apply for the service through the available channels

• Fill in the fields and submit the request

• Upload the required documents (optional)

• Pay the applicable fees

• Print the payment receipt and the certificate

Required documents:

• Certificate of proof of income - Building income statement - copy

• Clear photos from all the sides of the building - copy

• Land plan - copy

• Other documents - any supporting documents - copy

Fees:

• Agricultural - AED 2700

• Commercial - AED 4500

• Investment - AED 2700

• Residential - AED 2700

• Other - AED 900

There’s also Dari, Abu Dhabi’s trusted digital ecosystem for real estate backed by the Department of Municipalities and Transport - DMT (website, for android users Dari; for iOS) which provides a one-stop solution for all real estate requirements in Abu Dhabi. Among other things, you can use the app to request a property valuation and a valuation certificate (Services-Certificates section).
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The other way to do a property valuation is to contact a valuation company directly and request their professional valuation services. It’s important to note that you should look for companies licensed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency or other relevant authorities in the industry.

List of valuation companies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

To help you out with choosing good companies in Dubai, here’s a DLD service that allows you to search for Approved Valuation Companies in Dubai. As for Abu Dhabi, you can find licensed valuators in the Services-Directory section on Dari.

Valuation companies in Dubai - Table 1/2

Valuation companies in Dubai - Table 2/2

Valuation companies in Abu Dhabi

Moving forward

In light of this information, you now have a better understanding of what a property valuation is and why it is important when buying or selling a home in the UAE, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 
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If you're looking for a property in Dubai and need some assistance finding one that suits your needs, we can help. Our platform has a wide range of apartments available in Dubai that are developed by some of the city's best real estate developers.

We can also help with mortgage financing. Feel free to use our mortgage calculator to calculate monthly payments with all other additional costs and details. 

In case of any further assistance, you're welcome to contact our Dubai experts. We would be happy to assist you in any way we can. 

Photo credits:

1. Pch.vector | Freepik

2. Photo by | Arabian Business

3. Photo (screenshot) | Dari App

4. wirestock | Freepik