Question: I’ve been considering buying an off-plan unit for some time but have been put off by some pushy real estate agents. Do I need an estate agent when buying off-plan? VK, Sharjah
Answer: The straight answer is no, you do not require the services of an estate agent when buying off-plan. However, I would urge you to consider all the factors listed below before doing so.
Going directly to a developer may seem like the best option when buying an off-plan unit, by thinking they may reduce the quoted price as there is no commission to be paid to a real estate broker. This is often not the case as many developers have their own sales teams and they still pay their teams commission, so it is very unlikely you will get a better deal than if you went through an agent.
Another point of note is that developers need brokers and they have built up years of business relationships nurturing these contacts. Often going through a reputable broker gets you a better deal or some sweeteners perhaps.
Getting hold of a preferred unit at the launch is also very challenging. Going through an agency can help you secure your unit of choice due to the sheer number of units a broker sells for the developer, therefore potential favours may be factored in.
The broker thrive on building relationships with their clients, so going through an agent to buy an off-plan unit will ensure your best interests are managed and exceeded, as any company would want your repeated business, too.
You can go directly to a developer to buy an off-plan unit but going through an estate agent to do so could get you a better deal and help to support your purchase in the long run.
Q: I have rented a property since last year and wish to renew my lease for another year when my contract ends in October.
However, the landlord hasn’t said anything directly to me about what he wants to do but is skirting around the edges of wanting to evict me citing “personal reasons”.
Are there specific notice periods that landlords must give tenants in Dubai before eviction for reasons other than non-payment of rent? PS, Dubai
A: The first thing to note is that a tenancy contract automatically renews under the same terms and conditions as before (unless otherwise agreed). If a landlord wishes to get a tenant out, he can do so for only four reasons.
One would be if he needs to sell the property. Another would be for reasons of moving in himself, or his next of kin of first-degree. The third reason would be for major refurbishment that would otherwise prevent a tenant from having quiet enjoyment of the property due to the work being carried out and lastly, for a reason of demolition.
For these last two reasons, the landlord would need written approval from the concerned authorities. For the reason of moving in, the landlord would not be able to re-let the property for a period of two years after eviction. You could get compensation if the landlord violates this last part.
For these four reasons, the landlord must inform you about eviction through notary public or registered mail and give you at least 12 months’ notice to vacate.
This is the only way you would be asked to leave. There are no other shortcuts for the landlord. Remember that these are not related to non-payment of rent. In this case, there are different notice periods that must be adhered to.
The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario@novviproperties.com
How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
- Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs
- Thursday 20 January: v England
- Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad:
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
