How to Check if a Dubai Developer or Agent is RERA Licensed (2026)

Dubai's real estate market attracts investors and tenants from around the world, and that global appeal inevitably draws bad actors who misrepresent their credentials. Unlicensed developers have abandoned projects mid-construction. Fake agents have collected deposits and disappeared. These are not hypothetical scenarios — they are documented cases that RERA was specifically empowered to prevent.

The good news is that Dubai has one of the most transparent regulatory frameworks in the region, and verifying anyone's credentials takes minutes rather than days. This guide walks you through every verification method available in 2026, explains what each license type means, and tells you exactly what to do if something does not check out.

What Is RERA and Why Does It Exist?

The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) is the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD). Established under Law No. 16 of 2007, RERA oversees all real estate activities in Dubai, from off-plan project approvals to brokerage licensing, advertising compliance, and dispute resolution.

RERA's core mandate covers four pillars:

• Licensing — issuing and renewing permits for developers, brokerages, agents, and property management companies
• Regulation — setting rules for advertisements, escrow accounts, service charges, and sales practices
• Enforcement — investigating complaints, imposing fines, suspending licenses, and referring criminal cases
• Market transparency — maintaining public registries so buyers and tenants can verify operators independently

Understanding this structure matters because when you verify a license, you are checking against RERA's official registry — the same database used by banks, courts, and government entities. If someone is not in this system, they are not legally permitted to operate.

Why Verification Matters: Real Risks of Dealing With Unlicensed Operators

Here is what is at stake when you skip verification:

• Financial loss — unlicensed operators are not bound by escrow requirements, meaning your money may go directly into a personal account with no safeguards
• No regulatory recourse — RERA's dispute resolution mechanisms only apply to transactions involving licensed parties
• Invalid contracts — agreements facilitated by unlicensed brokers may not be enforceable under Dubai property law
• Project abandonment risk — developers without RERA permits are not required to maintain escrow accounts, so there is nothing preventing them from misusing project funds
• Title deed complications — the DLD may refuse to process a title deed transfer if the facilitating agent is not properly licensed

Verification is not bureaucratic caution — it is the single most effective way to protect your investment before any money changes hands.

Types of RERA Licenses You Should Know

Not all RERA licenses are equal. Understanding the different categories helps you confirm that the party you are dealing with holds the correct authorization for the service they are providing.

How to Check Developer Registration

Developers must register with RERA before they can legally market or sell any property in Dubai. Here are three ways to verify a developer's status.

Method 1: Dubai REST App (Recommended)

The Dubai REST app is the DLD's official mobile application and the fastest way to verify any real estate operator. Available on both iOS and Android, the app connects directly to RERA's live database.

Step-by-step process:

1. Download and open the Dubai REST app (published by Dubai Land Department)
2. You do not need to create an account for basic searches — tap "Explore Services" on the home screen
3. Navigate to "Real Estate Services" and select "Registered Developers"
4. Enter the developer name or registration number in the search field
5. The results will display the developer's registration status (Active, Expired, or Suspended), registration number, trade license number, and registered projects
6. Tap on the developer profile to see all approved projects linked to their registration

The app updates in real time, so the status you see reflects the current licensing position — not a cached result from weeks ago.

Method 2: DLD Website

Visit the Dubai Land Department website and navigate to the "Brokers and Developers" section under services. The search function allows you to look up developers by name, registration number, or trade license number. The results mirror what you would find on the Dubai REST app.

Method 3: Phone Verification (800-4488)

Call the DLD customer service hotline at 800-4488 (toll-free within the UAE). A representative can confirm a developer's registration status verbally. This is particularly useful if you need immediate confirmation during a meeting or if you are having difficulty with the digital tools.

The hotline operates Sunday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with extended hours during peak seasons. You can also use the WhatsApp service for written confirmation.

How to Check an Agent or Broker's BRN

Every licensed real estate agent in Dubai is assigned a Broker Registration Number (BRN). This is the single most important credential to verify before working with any agent, whichever of Dubai's real estate agencies they represent.

Verifying via Dubai REST App

1. Open the Dubai REST app
2. Go to "Real Estate Services" → "Registered Brokers"
3. Search by agent name, BRN number, or brokerage name (ORN)
4. The result will show the agent's full name, photo, BRN, affiliated brokerage, license expiry date, and active/inactive status

What to Look For in the Results

How to Verify a Specific Project's RERA Permit

Developers must obtain a separate RERA permit for every off-plan project before they can advertise or sell units. This is distinct from the developer's own registration — a licensed developer can still have individual projects that are not yet approved or whose permits have lapsed.

Checking Project Registration

1. In the Dubai REST app, navigate to "Real Estate Services" → "Project Inquiry"
2. Search by project name, RERA permit number, or developer name
3. The result displays the project's registration status, permit number, developer details, expected completion date, and escrow account information

A valid RERA project permit confirms that the project has been reviewed by RERA, the developer has opened a project-specific escrow account, construction plans have been filed with the relevant authorities, and the developer has met financial requirements to proceed with the project.

RERA Permit Number Format

Project permit numbers follow a specific format that you can cross-reference. They typically appear as a numeric sequence tied to the registration year and project index. The number must appear on all marketing materials, advertisements, and sales documents for that project. If a developer cannot provide the permit number for a specific project, do not proceed.

How to Check a Project's Escrow Account

Under Dubai law, all off-plan projects must have a dedicated escrow account where buyer payments are deposited. Developers cannot access these funds freely — withdrawals are tied to construction milestones verified by independent engineers.

Verifying Escrow Account Details

• The Dubai REST app shows escrow account details under the project profile, including the bank name and escrow trustee
• The escrow account number should appear on your Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) — verify that the account on your SPA matches the one in RERA's registry
• You can contact the escrow trustee bank directly to confirm the account is active and linked to the correct project

Verifying Advertisements and Marketing Materials

RERA requires that all real estate advertisements — including social media posts, billboards, brochures, websites, and listing portals — display the agent's BRN and the project's RERA permit number (for off-plan projects).

When evaluating any property advertisement, check for the following:

• Agent BRN — must be visible on every listing, whether on Bayut, Property Finder, Dubizzle, or social media
• Brokerage ORN — the listing should reference the brokerage, not just the individual agent
• Project RERA permit number — mandatory for all off-plan marketing materials
• DLD QR code — many legitimate advertisements now include a QR code that links directly to the RERA verification page

RERA actively monitors listing portals and social media for non-compliant advertisements. If you encounter a listing without proper credentials, it is worth reporting — you may be saving someone else from a scam.