5 min read
Updated: 23 Oct 2025

Understanding Power of Attorney for Property Transactions

Man reads over Power of attorney document prior to signing

Key Takeaways:

Power of attorney for property transactions allows someone to legally buy manage or sell on another person’s behalf
Recent DLD rules require all payments to be made directly to the property owner named on the title deed
Proper notarisation and legalisation are essential for a valid power of attorney in Dubai property transactions
Engel & Völkers provides guidance on secure property transactions and documentation compliance across Dubai’s real estate market

Dubai’s property market continues to attract global interest, thanks to its strong capital growth, rental yields, and streamlined transaction processes. But for international investors and absentee owners, one critical legal tool often comes into play: the Power of Attorney (PoA).

In 2025, new rules introduced by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) have made it even more important to understand how and when a PoA can be used. Most notably, sellers acting through a PoA must now ensure that all property payments are made directly to the name on the title deed, not the PoA holder. Overseas sellers are also required to hold a UAE bank account to clear transaction-related cheques.

In this article, we’ll explain what a PoA is, why it’s important for property owners and investors, how to use it legally, and how recent regulatory updates affect the buying and selling process.

Table of Content

What Is Power of Attorney?
How Can Power of Attorney Be Used to Purchase or Sell Property?
When Can Power of Attorney Be Used in Property Transactions?
How to Grant Power of Attorney for Property Transactions
Risks of Using Power of Attorney in Property Deals
Can Power of Attorney Be Revoked in Property Transactions?
Conclusion

What Is Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney to sell property is a legal document that grants an individual or an organization the right to both represent and act on behalf of another party.

This is one of the most valuable documents for real estate dealings as it is of great aid to property owners in the UAE who may want to sell their property but aren’t physically present in the country for the transactions.

How Can Power of Attorney Be Used to Purchase or Sell Property?

Power of attorney for property transfer or buying it can be utilized in several ways. It gives the individual or organization several rights, depending on the terms and conditions of it.

Here are some ways in which one can use a power of attorney to manage, buy or sell a property:

A power of attorney can give an individual/organization the right to manage rental properties, this includes collecting rent, negotiating new leases, and more.
With a power of attorney, you can also handle mortgage-related matters - this includes applying for a mortgage, making payments or refinancing.
You do not just hold a power of attorney to sell property, but also to arrange for maintenance and property repairs if required.
Whether you hold a power of attorney in Dubai or in another Emirate, it gives you the right to represent your nominee in any legal disputes pertaining to the property.

When Can Power of Attorney Be Used in Property Transactions?

People often question, “Can a person with a power of attorney sell property?” The short answer is yes. But when can they utilize it?

In any property transaction, whether they are selling the nominee’s property, renting it out to tenants or even purchasing property on behalf of their nominee.

Simply put, if the nominee - the interested person - is physically not present to buy, manage, sell or rent the property, the person holding the power of attorney can do it for them.

How to Grant Power of Attorney for Property Transactions

Having understood the functions of a power of attorney for the purchase of property or transfer of property, let us understand how one can obtain this legal document.

The process has many steps and it is important to adhere to each one to facilitate the process. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

The document must be issued in both English and Arabic.
The public notary must notarize the document, and the fees can range between AED 550 and AED 3,000, depending on various factors.
If your power of attorney document is issued in another country, it must be legalised by the UAE embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A power of attorney to sell property must be attributed to one specific property and for a particular purpose.
A power of attorney for transferring propertyor any other purpose is usually valid for 2 years - you can check that with the relevant authorities.

Risks of Using Power of Attorney in Property Deals

It is important to understand the risks associated with giving a power of attorney to someone. Understanding and weighing both sides will aid you in making an informed decision.

Consider the authority you give the document holder and ensure that it aligns with your wishes and intentions.
If you give this document to a known person, ensure that you trust them entirely as a power of attorney, which gives them a lot of power.
It is not advised to give someone a power of attorney without consulting accredited real estate agents or attorneys with long-standing experience in this segment.

Can Power of Attorney Be Revoked in Property Transactions?

Suppose you have given someone a power of attorney in Dubai and now wish to revoke it, is it possible? Yes.

You can revoke it by either submitting your request online or by visiting the Notary Public. If you want to revoke a power of attorney document physically, you can draft a revocation notice and submit it to the Notary Public. You must provide the original power of attorney document and your passport or Emirates ID.

Conclusion

Having understood the importance of a power of attorney document, are you ready to make the dive into the UAE property market? Let Engel & Vöklers facilitate your journey.

Once you have understood the property market, it is time to find the right property. This is where Engel & Völkers steps into the picture. Our premium real estate services offer you:

Expert real estate agents who have years of experience.
Free, tailored consultation sessions to understand your needs and goals.
End-to-end services - which include facilitating your documentation and answering all your real estate queries.

Find the answers, processes, and solutions to all your real estate queries with Engel & Völkers Dubai at +971 4 422 3500.