Abu Dhabi Enforces Law No. 11 to Standardize Real Estate Sector Operations

Abu Dhabi has implemented Law No. 11 of 2024, a comprehensive regulatory overhaul designed to centralize real estate governance and enhance investor protections across the emirate. The legislation establishes a unified legal framework for all property transactions, overseen by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) under the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). Mandatory Licensing and Escrow Accounts Under the new law, all real estate professionals—including developers, brokers, surveyors, and evaluators—must obtain official licenses from ADREC to operate. This move aims to eliminate unlicensed activity and ensure professional standards. A critical pillar of the regulation is the mandatory requirement for escrow accounts for all off-plan projects. Developers are now legally obligated to deposit all buyer payments into these dedicated accounts, with funds released only upon the completion of specific construction milestones verified by independent consultants. Digital Integration and Transparency The law mandates that all real estate transactions, contracts, and project data be registered on the DARI platform, Abu Dhabi’s unified digital ecosystem for the sector.…