Buying real estate in the United Arab Emirates is an important step, but it is no less important — apartment acceptance. It is at this stage that it is necessary to make sure that the object complies with the terms of the contract, there are no defects, and the documents are drawn up correctly.

In this article we have collected full apartment acceptance checklist in Dubai — based on the practices of Green City Real Estate brokers and the official requirements of developers.

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Apartment acceptance checklist in Dubai

1. Prepare a Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA)

Before acceptance, make sure that you have the original SPA purchase agreement in your hands. It is needed to verify key parameters:

• availability of furniture (if specified),

• apartment specification (size, location, finishing),

• the procedure for transferring the object.

SPA is the main legal document under the handover.

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2. Pay the Title Deed release fee

After construction is completed, the Oqood temporary document is replaced with a permanent one ownership — Title Deed.

• The release fee is paid separately.

• Check the amount and details in advance.

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3. Pay for Service Charge

Service Charge is a utility fee for maintaining a building and grounds. It is usually calculated using the formula:

SPA rate × square footage × number of months, which the developer requires to pay in advance upon transfer.

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4. Connect DEWA (electricity and water)

DEWA — Dubai Electricity and Water Department. Connecting required before acceptance, otherwise the developer may refuse to sell.

• The account is issued online or through an agency.

• Be sure to activate before signing papers.

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5. Connect Empower/District Cooling (if applicable)

If your project uses centralized cooling:

• plug in Empower or similar system,

• pay installation fees,

• activate before receiving the keys.

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6. Order a Snagging inspection

Snagging is technical inspection of the apartment by a specialist, which helps to identify hidden defects. The following is being checked:

• operation of air conditioners and plumbing,

• electricity, sockets, lighting,

• the quality of the finish,

• furniture, appliances, windows, doors, locks and sealing.

The result is a detailed written report.

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7. Send a report to the developer and fix the deadline for eliminating defects

After receiving the report:

• submit it to the developer's customer service department,

• specify the timing of corrections,

• do not sign the acceptance certificate, until all comments have been addressed.

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8. Do Re-Snagging

A second inspection is mandatory, even if the developer has announced that the defects have been eliminated. Objective:

• make sure that defects have been eliminated qualitatively,

• check if there are any new flaws.

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9. Sign the documents and get the keys

This can be done only if:

• all defects have been fixed,

• DEWA and Empower are connected,

• Title Deed and Service Charge paid.

After that, an acceptance certificate is issued and keys are issued.

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10. Decide on a ownership strategy

After receiving an apartment, you can:

• move in and live,

• resell,

• rent out — both independently and through an operator.

If you're not in the UAE, Green City Real Estate provides full rental support services.

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Why is it important to follow this checklist

- This is your only chance to fix construction defects

- Claims will not be accepted after signing the acceptance certificate

- You pay Service Charge from the moment you sign up, not when you stay

- Violations may result in losses when handed over or resold

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Conclusion

Accepting an apartment in Dubai is an important legal and technical process. Don't sign documents until you're sure everything is in order. Use this checklist as an internal quality standard.

If you need professional help in receiving and connecting communications, organizing Snagging is a team Green City Real Estate will provide full support.