NEWS BREAK EVERYBODY:
August 1 : The Dubai government has announced that it will set up a real estate regulatory authority to monitor the development of the sector in the emirate. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, issued a decree yesterday to that effect.
The Authority, which will be affiliated to the Department of Lands and Properties, will be an executive and corporate body with administrative and financial autonomy. According to the decree, the jurisdiction of the authority will cover four main areas: real-estate policies, strategies, regulation and registration. In addition, it will also be charged with conducting studies and projects.
The authority will oversee the operations of property developers, management companies, financing institutions, brokers and owners’ associations. Sector experts hailed the decision to create the much-needed body. “We think this is an excellent move,” said Craig Johnson, general manager of Landmark Properties. “This will serve to raise Dubai’s standing in the international property market.
“The experience of many property clients in this market has been ‘not so satisfactory’, and this move will go a long way in raising customer satisfaction levels.” Other experts agreed. “This is going to be a real boost for the real estate and property market and certainly for the rental and resale sector. It is very encouraging that the Dubai government has shown consistency in taking the pulse of the market and intervening to ensure a healthy economic environment,” commented Tessa Morris of DSL Exhibitions, organisers of the upcoming R & R Rental and Resale Property Show.
Dubai’s property boom is set to continue until the end of the decade, according to a recent report by the Middle East Economic Digest. The report said that demand for property would continue to outstrip supply at least until 2010.