Ruler of Sharjah issues law on real estate registration

His Highness Shaikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued a new law on real estate registration in  Sharjah.

Under the law, the Department of Real Estate Registration and branch offices in Sharjah are the only outlets authorised to register contracts, papers and documents relating to real estate in the emirate. They are to maintain real estate records and contracts and other related matters.

The law limits the right to own real estate in Sharjah to UAE nationals and nationals of GCC Gulf Arab states, and to any corporate bodies fully owned by them.

But under the law, exceptions may be granted by the Ruler to own property through inheritance, in accordance with Sharia.

The law added that the transfer of property ownership would not be legal unless the bill of ownership was valid and registered in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The regulations stressed that all real estate transactions, which had come into force before this law, were legally valid.

In accordance with the law and by request of the department an “ownership verification” committee or committees would be set up, comprised of UAE nationals. The committee or  committees would report to the department.

This law would be effective from the date of its publication in the official gazette.