As Dubai’s secondary property market matures, the role of transfer services is receiving closer attention, with industry professionals highlighting the value of transparency and buyer choice when appointing support during a transaction.
September 03, 2026 | Palak Kataria | UAE | Property Management | 3 Min Read
Buying a property does not end when the price is agreed.
Between signing an agreement and receiving the keys sits a transfer process involving documentation, approvals, payments and coordination between buyers, sellers, brokers, lenders and other parties. As Dubai’s property market becomes larger and increasingly international, who guides the buyer through that process is becoming an important part of the transaction experience.
Conveyance.ae has raised the question of whether buyers should always have a clear choice over the transfer or sales-progression provider they use, particularly where an in-house service is offered by the brokerage handling the transaction.
The issue is not necessarily whether an internal conveyancing or sales-progression team is capable of managing a transaction. Instead, the company argues that buyers should understand the relationship between the different parties involved and be able to choose independent assistance if they prefer it.
That distinction can become particularly relevant when a transaction encounters an issue.
Property transfers can involve mortgage settlements, developer documentation, no-objection certificates and other administrative requirements. When something delays completion, buyers need accurate information about what is happening, what remains outstanding and what needs to occur next.
Jan Baluyut, Director of Property Affairs at Cendale, which operates Conveyance.ae, argues that separation between sales representation and transfer support can provide buyers with an additional layer of procedural oversight.
“The real test of a transfer service comes when the interests on each side stop aligning,” Baluyut said.
The company points towards functional separation used in other property markets. In the UK, buyers and sellers commonly appoint separate solicitors, while the US uses combinations of attorneys, title companies and escrow providers depending on the jurisdiction.
Dubai’s system is different and does not need to replicate either model. But the comparison highlights a broader principle relevant to a growing international property market: different parties within a transaction can perform clearly defined roles.
For buyers, the practical question is therefore less about whether an in-house or independent service is inherently preferable and more about transparency.
Before appointing a transfer provider, buyers can establish who the provider represents, what services are included, what fees apply and whether they are free to choose another provider.
The same considerations can apply across both ready properties and secondary off-plan transactions, even though the administrative steps involved may differ.
As Dubai attracts buyers from a wide range of markets, many of whom may be completing a transaction in the emirate for the first time, greater clarity around the transfer stage can contribute to a more straightforward buying experience.
The evolution of a property market is not measured solely through sales values, new launches or construction volumes. The systems surrounding those transactions matter too.
As Dubai’s market continues to mature, giving buyers clear information and meaningful choice throughout the transfer process can become another part of strengthening confidence in the overall property journey.
Source: Conveyance.ae / AETOSWire.
