Title deed (Oqood, for off-plan)
The DLD-issued ownership certificate. Oqood is the pre-handover interim title for off-plan; the full title deed issues at handover.
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tenure
Freehold vs Leasehold
Freehold = full perpetual ownership including the land. Leasehold = a defined-term right (commonly 99 years) on the unit only, not the land.
Freehold and leasehold are the two ownership structures available in Dubai property. Freehold ownership grants perpetual title to both the property and the underlying land — registered in the owner's name at DLD and not subject to expiry. Foreign-national freehold ownership was permitted by Decree No. 3 of 2006 in designated freehold zones, which now cover most of Dubai's investor-grade communities (Palm Jumeirah, Downtown, Marina, Dubai Hills, JVC, JLT, MBR City, etc.).
Leasehold grants a defined-term right (typically 30, 50, or 99 years) on the unit, while the underlying land remains with the original landholder (often a member of the Al Maktoum family or a government entity). At the end of the leasehold term, ownership reverts unless renewed.
For practical purposes in modern Dubai investing, almost all marketed inventory in mainstream investor communities is freehold. Leasehold appears most commonly in older parts of the city. Always verify tenure on the title deed before signing.
Primary sources
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