A lease‑to‑own transfer in Dubai is a service provided by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) that enables the transfer of an existing lease‑to‑own (rent‑to‑own) property contract between a property owner and a financing entity. This process is carried out through a DLD‑authorized Real Estate Registration Trustee Centre. The purpose of this service is to safeguard the legal rights of all parties involved the property owner, the buyer/tenant, and the financing institution.
Under a lease‑to‑own arrangement, the tenant makes structured payments that combine rental amounts with purchase installments, ultimately leading to full ownership of the property at the end of the agreed term. The Dubai Land Department regulates these arrangements and requires formal registration to ensure legal protection throughout the payment period.
Al Taresh Trustee is a DLD-authorized trustee office at Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, processing lease-to-own registrations and transfers for property owners, tenants, and financing institutions across Dubai.
The lease‑to‑own concept in Dubai bridges the gap between renting and owning a property. It allows you to start with a lease agreement while gradually working toward ownership over an agreed period.
This flexible arrangement offers an excellent opportunity to secure your desired property without the need for an immediate full purchase. The tenant pays periodic amounts that cover the capital cost of the property along with any applicable charges. A key feature of this model is that the tenant becomes the owner of the property at the end of the agreement.
Aspect | Lease to Own | Standard Property Purchase |
Upfront cost | Lower — typically no full down payment | Higher — usually 20–25% down payment required |
Monthly payment | Covers rent + portion toward ownership structured payments that combine rental amounts with purchase instalments | Mortgage repayment (if financed) |
Ownership transfer | At end of lease term, upon full payment | Immediately upon transfer registration at DLD |
DLD registration | Registered at outset for legal protection | Registered at trustee office on day of sale |
Financing entity | Developer, seller, or Islamic finance provider | Bank or financial institution (if mortgage) |
Suitable for | Buyers building toward ownership gradually | Buyers ready to transfer ownership immediately |
Document | Required From |
title deed or existing Oqood | Property owner |
Valid passport (original and copy) | All parties involved |
UAE Emirates ID | All UAE-resident parties |
Original Lease Letter from bank stating the Lease value, start and end. | Financing entity / buyer |
Sales Agreement |
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NOC from developer (if applicable) | Property owner to obtain |
Power of Attorney | If any party is represented by an authorized person |
Company documents (trade licence, MOA) | If any party is a company |
Service | DLD Fee | Notes |
Initial lease-to-own registration (Oqood) | 4% of property value | Buyer (or split 2%+2% by agreement) |
Title deed fee | 560AED for unit or villa | Title deed fee |
Note: At the conclusion of the lease‑to‑own term once the buyer has completed all instalment payments the property will be transferred to the buyer, granting full ownership.
Yes, expats and foreign nationals can participate in lease-to-own schemes in Dubai, provided the property is in a designated freehold area. The DLD’s lease-to-own registration process is the same for UAE nationals and expats. Many Islamic finance institutions and some developers offer lease-to-own arrangements specifically designed for expats who want to build toward property ownership without a conventional mortgage.
For expats using an Islamic finance (Ijara) arrangement, the lease-to-own contract is registered with the DLD to formally record the financing entity’s role and protect the buyer’s right to eventual ownership.
Feature | Lease‑to‑Own | Mortgage |
Ownership Transfer | End of term | Immediately |
Upfront Cost | Low | High (20–25% down payment) |
Monthly Payments | Fixed rent + installment | Loan + interest |
Eligibility | Flexible | Strict bank criteria |
Risk | Lower upfront risk | Higher financial commitment |
Best For | Gradual buyers | Ready buyers & investors |
Al Taresh Trustee processes DLD lease-to-own registrations and transfers for property owners, buyers, and financing institutions across Dubai.
WhatsApp: Send your document list for a free pre-check before your appointment
Visit our office: Shop No. 27, The Mall, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai
Call us: +971 4 889 5945
A lease-to-own (rent-to-own) arrangement in Dubai is a property scheme where a tenant makes structured monthly payments part of which counts as rental and part as installment toward purchase over an agreed period, at the end of which they have the right to own the property outright. The Dubai Land Department regulates these schemes and requires formal DLD registration to protect the legal rights of the tenant/buyer throughout the payment period.
According to DLD documentation, a lease-to-own transfer at an authorized trustee centre takes approximately 10–15 minutes once all required documents are submitted and verified. The DLD issues the relevant documentation directly to the parties via email after processing.
Depending on the type of registration processed, the DLD may issue: a Certificate of Title, a Title Deed, a Usufruct Title, Our team will confirm which document you should expect based on your specific transaction.
At the conclusion of the lease‑to‑own term once the buyer has completed all installment payments the property will be transferred to the buyer, granting full ownership.
Yes. Expats and foreign nationals can participate in DLD-registered lease-to-own schemes for properties in designated freehold areas in Dubai. The DLD registration process is the same regardless of nationality. Many Islamic finance institutions in the UAE offer Ijara-based lease-to-own arrangements specifically suited to expat buyers, which are formally registered with the DLD through authorized trustee offices.
