Loading...
Loading...
The session reviewed the department’s general policy framework, its achievements, and its current and future projects, as well as its role in regulating and developing the property market within a balanced legislative framework. It also focused on accelerating digital transformation and simplifying ownership registration and documentation procedures to enhance service efficiency and reduce the time and effort required from customers.
The proceedings of the session, held yesterday morning, were attended by His Excellency Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Shamsi, Director General of the Real Estate Registration Department; His Excellency Abdulaziz Rashid Al Saleh, Director of the department; along with their accompanying delegation.
Following this, the Council’s Secretary-General, Meera Khalifa Al Muqarrab, presented the general topic concerning the discussion of the department’s policy, stating: “The Real Estate Registration Department in the Emirate of Sharjah, established under Emiri Decree No. (29) of 2008, protects the rights of property owners in Sharjah by registering ownership, documenting all transactions, and recording all changes and dispositions related to real estate in accordance with the approved legal frameworks, using global best practices and modern innovative technologies to achieve sustainable real estate development in Sharjah.”
She continued: “In view of the importance of the department’s responsibilities in regulating the real estate sector and supporting urban development, the applicants wish to discuss this topic in pursuit of the public interest and in service of the community.”
His Excellency Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Shamsi, Director General of the Real Estate Registration Department, then delivered a speech, saying: “It is my honour to meet you today under the dome of the Sharjah Consultative Council to discuss the policy of the department, in this institution whose foundations were laid by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as an embodiment of the consultative approach and a reinforcement of the culture of institutional integration among the various authorities and institutions of the emirate.
“At the outset, I am pleased to congratulate the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Council on the confidence of the members, and I wish them success in steering the Council towards further achievements and accomplishments that meet the aspirations of the citizens of the Emirate of Sharjah.”
He added: “His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has given early attention to the real estate sector since the establishment of the Union and was proactive in enacting the legislation regulating it, laying the foundations for an organised and balanced property market.
The Sharjah Executive Council, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, has also played a significant role in developing this system through qualitative decisions that have enhanced the sector’s competitiveness and attractiveness. Notably, these include Executive Council Resolution No. (30) of 2022 regarding property ownership by non-citizens and GCC nationals in the emirate, and Resolution No. (37) of 2024 concerning the regulation of property development projects, which introduced the application of escrow accounts for property development projects to safeguard the rights of all parties to real estate transactions.
This leadership support and robust legislative structure have helped create a secure and attractive investment environment, strengthening investor confidence and consolidating Sharjah’s position as a preferred property destination at both regional and international levels.
As a result, the real estate sector achieved unprecedented historic results in 2025, with property transactions reaching AED 65.6 billion, representing growth of 64.3%. The department completed more than 132,000 property transactions, registered 38 property development projects, and the emirate attracted investors from 129 nationalities who chose Sharjah as a destination to live, work and invest.”
Following this, eleven members who submitted the request intervened to raise their questions and enquiries. Engineer Jameela Mohammed Al Fandi Al Shamsi, Member of the Council, began by asking about the mechanism followed by the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department in dealing with unlicensed real estate brokerage practitioners. She also enquired whether there is a plan to address the shortage of qualified national cadres to activate judicial enforcement against violations of real estate registration procedures, and about the possibility of the department preparing a guide to classify real estate offices operating in the emirate.
Member Salem Mohammed Al Rashidi asked about the measures taken by the department to attract investors to the real estate sector, the conditions that must be met by real estate offices, and the standards and criteria used to determine the value of a property intended for ownership. He also enquired whether the department provides services tailored to senior citizens, people with disabilities and widows.
Member Majid Ahmed Al Darwishi Al Shamsi asked about the possibility for heirs to pay real estate registration fees through the court and complete sale, purchase and estate division procedures directly through electronic linkage, so that the payment receipt issued by the court could be approved as an official document to complete registration procedures without the need to visit multiple entities.
Member Jassim Mohammed Al Hinnawi Al Naqbi enquired whether there are mechanisms or initiatives within the department aimed at encouraging citizens to own property, for example through reduced registration fees. If such incentives exist, he asked about the eligibility conditions and scope of application. He also asked about the approved mechanism for regulating joint property purchases, clarifying how ownership is registered and transferred between partners while completing procedures directly without the need for powers of attorney or court visits.
Member Sheikha Ali Al Naqbi asked about the procedures and legislation adopted by the department to ensure the sustainability and stability of the real estate market, protect customers’ rights and reduce potential risks. She further enquired about the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks, digital transformation and risk management in enhancing transparency, sustaining the sector and strengthening oversight.
Member Dr Ahmed Saleh Al Naqbi raised a question about the department’s direction towards establishing real estate registration offices in certain areas to ensure privacy and maintain the confidentiality of property transactions, given that some current locations may cause inconvenience to visitors during sale, purchase and fee payment procedures.
Member Dr Hind Saleh Al Hajri enquired about the timetable for completing the full digital transformation of the department’s services and linking them with relevant government entities. She also asked whether there is a prior digital review mechanism for transactions to reduce errors and rejected applications, and about the possibility of mandating the use of a unified sale contract for all developers and real estate offices.
Member Rashid Saleh Al Hammadi asked when the property calculator would be launched, how accurate the data it relies on would be, and on what basis pricing is determined. He also asked whether there is a mechanism that allows developers to sell land through the electronic system under the supervision of the department.
Member Issa Abdulrahim Al Zarooni enquired about the criteria for forming owners’ associations and the mechanisms for supervising them, as well as the measures taken if an association is proven to be negligent in performing its duties. He also asked about the mechanism for regulating and monitoring additional fees imposed by some developers on owners, and whether the department intends to publish periodic indicators on transaction completion times, complaints and violations in order to enhance transparency.
Member Mohammed Abdullah Al Balushi asked about the readiness of the electronic linkage between the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department and the Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey, in a way that would allow property maps and title deeds to be issued and renewed instantly through the Real Estate Registration Department during sale and purchase procedures, without the need to visit other entities. He also raised a question about the current mechanism for foreign clients to own property within the real estate market, and the proposed measures to simplify and accelerate procedures in order to enhance the emirate’s investment appeal.
Member Abdullah Tarish Al Ketbi asked about the possibility of transferring a number of the department’s services to private offices, such as Tasheel centres, and whether it would be possible to assign an employee from the department to authenticate contract transactions at private offices after official working hours.
During the interventions, member Hamad Abdulwahab Al Qawadhi asked about the reason the department does not issue title deed certificates in cases where property subdivision has not been completed.
Member Mohammed Ali bin Salim Al Ketbi enquired about the mechanism adopted by the department in dealing with agricultural land, whether for trading purposes or transfer to heirs.
Member Obaid Ishaq Al Mazmi asked whether the department has a plan to open branches in shopping centres in light of the increase in real estate projects and investors, and about the department’s policy on linking systems, unifying digital interfaces and cooperating with other entities to diversify service channels.
Member Amer Mohammed Al Zarooni enquired about benefiting from partial digital transformation, questioning the need for the current extended timeline until 2027, particularly in light of the department’s efforts to eliminate bureaucracy.
His Excellency Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Shamsi, Director General of the Real Estate Registration Department, together with his team, responded to the various questions raised by the members, stressing that the department continues to achieve milestones. He noted that what is being witnessed today is the result of a long-term leadership vision established by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, with the support and follow-up of Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council. This vision has focused on legislative stability and balanced development, laying the foundations for a reliable, flexible real estate market capable of attracting high-quality, long-term investments.
In the same context, he explained that the exceptional growth achieved in 2025 was not coincidental, but rather the outcome of long-term strategic planning and the development of an integrated property system based on transparency, integrated infrastructure and the high quality of life that characterises the emirate. The department has also worked to strengthen investor confidence by developing legislation, simplifying procedures and ensuring clarity in real estate processes, thereby reinforcing Sharjah’s status as a stable and secure investment destination.
He added that the real estate sector in the Emirate of Sharjah recorded the highest trading value in its history in 2025, with a total of AED 65.6 billion, achieving growth of 64.3 per cent compared with 2024, which recorded AED 40 billion.
Through its responses, the department clarified that, to sustain this momentum, it organised the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition with its partners at the beginning of 2026, achieving transactions worth AED 5 billion in just four days, clearly indicating strong demand, investor confidence and the integration of the government ecosystem supporting the national economy.
The department is also implementing the Sharjah Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2028 in cooperation with the Sharjah Digital Department through the integrated real estate services platform “Aqari”, which will serve as the unified and comprehensive platform for property services in the emirate, enhancing efficiency, transparency and speed of completion, and improving the customer experience in line with best practices.
The department affirmed its commitment to continuing to develop policies and legislation in line with changes and to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness. It also looks forward to productive dialogue with the Council, based on their partnership in serving the Emirate of Sharjah and supporting its development journey.
He noted that highlighting service efficiency, the speed of transaction completion and the development of electronic systems reflects an awareness of the importance of quality in government work, alongside discussing potential challenges and ways to enhance the investment environment to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the real estate sector. The department views these outcomes as a supportive roadmap for its ongoing development efforts in the coming phase.
The total number of transactions increased to 132,659, representing growth of 26.3 per cent, reflecting the acceleration of investment activity and the expansion of the customer base.
Sales transactions in particular recorded unprecedented performance, reaching 33,580 transactions, an increase of 38.4 per cent compared with the previous year. This growth was driven by rising demand for residential units for both living and investment purposes, higher rental yields, stable prices, and the diversity of projects and financing options.
Another important indicator was the increase in the number of investing nationalities to 129, compared with 120 nationalities in 2024, confirming the international appeal of Sharjah’s property market.
Digital transformation represents one of the key strategic pillars of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department. The department has worked to build an integrated digital ecosystem aimed at accelerating procedures, enhancing performance efficiency and significantly improving the customer experience.
One of the most prominent initiatives in this regard is the property development services package on the Sharjah Digital Department platform within the “Aqari” platform. This package provides all real estate services related to developers through a unified platform, enabling transactions to be completed easily and accurately, with a high degree of transparency, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and saving time and effort.
As part of efforts to facilitate financing procedures, mortgage services are being gradually linked electronically with banks, helping to speed up and simplify financing processes for investors. In addition, the bank guarantee service has been activated to enhance the reliability of transactions and safeguard the rights of all parties.
Together, these steps reflect the department’s commitment to developing an advanced digital environment aligned with international best practices and supporting the sustainability of the emirate’s real estate sector.
Protecting property owners’ rights remains a top priority for the department and lies at the heart of its regulatory role.
A clear legislative framework is adopted to regulate registration and documentation processes and to ensure the preservation of rights through the documentation of ownership in accurate and reliable official records. The department is also committed to applying the highest standards of transparency across all procedures, regulating relationships between all market participants, whether owners, investors, developers or brokers.
In addition, systems are continuously updated to keep pace with developments and to strengthen regulatory oversight, maintaining market stability and reinforcing confidence over the long term.
After the members concluded their interventions, the Sharjah Consultative Council voted to hold its regular sessions every two weeks on Thursdays.
At the end of the session, Her Excellency Meera Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Consultative Council, announced that the next session, the twelfth, will be held on Thursday, 5 March, and will focus on discussing the recommendations of the Real Estate Registration Department.
For an optimal experience, please
rotate your device to portrait mode.
