The Government of Dubai Land Department is the real estate registry for the Emirate. It is responsible for registering built and unbuilt land, villas, apartments, commercial and residential buildings, leases and mortgages throughout Dubai including the designated freehold areas.The Department records and officially authorises as legitimate transactions involving Dubai real estate and transfers of ownership, whether these are between buyer and seller, donations, gifts or inheritance.It is Dubai's official registry, valuer, auctioneer, regulator, information provider and property overseer.The Land Department was established on January 24, 1960 (26 Rajab 1379H) by a Decree signed by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the late Ruler of Dubai. The Decree stated: 'We have decided to establish a committee to oversee affairs related to land and private properties in the emirate, in order to register these lands and properties in a systematic and effective manner and to safeguard the rights of our people.The Land Department has evolved rapidly in recent years, reflecting the transformation of Dubai. Registering ownership of real estate is now a high tech process where rights are guaranteed by contract, replacing the former system which was based on trust, and sealed with a handshake. Today, in Dubai the process of registering real estate data is entirely computerised. All procedures related to sale, purchase, and mortgage are conducted electronically.All matters to do with legalizing sales and purchase of land and property is the responsibility of the Department.In addition, the Department is involved in consulting on and helping to frame the legislation which shapes the legal framework within which property rights exist within Dubai and the UAE. The Department protects the rights of all stakeholders equally.The Land Department's first chairman was His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who took office in 1960 until the establishment of the Federal Union. The current chairman is Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who took office in 1971.The Department prioritises customer care. It has been so successful in doing so that in recent years it has been a consistent winner of the Government Excellence Award for Customer Satisfaction.
