A Trakheesi permit is the advertising permit a real estate company must get from Dubai Land Department (DLD), through DLD's Trakheesi system, before it advertises a property. The permit number has to appear in the ad, and printed and audiovisual ads also carry a Madmoun QR code that shows the approved details. A Trakheesi permit check, together with a look at the broker's licence and the title deed, takes a few minutes in the Dubai REST app or on the DLD website. It is the simplest protection against fake listings and deposits paid to the wrong person.
- Before any ad: real estate companies must apply for a permit through Trakheesi and include the permit number in every ad.
- For a listing: a broker's application needs a copy of the marketing contract signed with the property owner, the contract known in Dubai as Form A.
- QR code: since 24 April 2023, printed and audiovisual ads must show a Madmoun QR code; scanning it shows the authorised details and whether the property has already been sold or rented.
- Checks anyone can run: Verify License and Permits, Licensed Real Estate Brokers and Verify Title Deed, on the DLD website and in Dubai REST, with immediate results.
- Penalties: DLD has said fines for advertising violations are progressive, at AED 50,000 each, and can lead to the cancellation of a company's licence.
What is a Trakheesi permit?
Trakheesi is DLD's system for real estate licences, broker cards and permits. Its Real Estate Ad Permit service covers 14 kinds of promotion, from newspaper, SMS, outdoor and electronic ads to classified ads, open houses, exhibitions, project launch events and seminars. Each permit is issued as an electronic certificate, usually within one working day.
For brokers, most permit types need a copy of the marketing contract signed with the owner. In practice, a home should only be advertised once its owner has signed a marketing agreement with the agency behind the ad. Our guide to Form A and Form F explains those contracts, and our guide to exclusive and open listings covers what changes when several agencies market the same home.
How do you check a Trakheesi permit?
- Find the permit number in the ad. Treat a Dubai property ad without one as unverified.
- Scan the Madmoun QR code on printed and audiovisual ads. DLD says it shows the property's authorised details and whether it has been sold or rented, and the full ad details, including the advertising company, are on the DLD website.
- Search the permit yourself with DLD's Verify License and Permits service on the DLD website or in the Dubai REST app. Don't rely on a screenshot someone sends you.
- Compare the details. The property and the advertiser in the permit should match the ad and the person you are dealing with.
- Stop if anything is off. A missing permit, an expired one or details that don't match are reasons to walk away and report the ad to DLD.
How do you check if a broker is licensed in Dubai?
DLD's rules are simple: a broker must be registered in the brokers' registry and hold a broker card from the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), and the card is valid only for as long as the brokerage's licence is. Two DLD services let anyone confirm that:
- Licensed Real Estate Brokers shows the brokers licensed by RERA in Dubai, on the DLD website and in Dubai REST.
- Verify License and Permits checks the electronic copies of licences and permits that DLD has issued to real estate practitioners.
Ask the broker for their card, check the name and the office against these lists, and make sure the same office appears on the Trakheesi permit and on any contract you sign. If you are renting, our guide to checking whether a rental property is legitimate covers the extra steps for tenants.
How do you check property ownership in Dubai?
DLD's Verify Title Deed service confirms whether a title deed (certificate of title) issued by DLD is valid. It is available on the DLD website and in Dubai REST, the result is immediate, and DLD offers it to customers of every residency status. In the app you can check the property on its own, or the owner and the property together, which is the check to run when someone tells you they own the home.
If you don't have a title deed in front of you, DLD's Property Status Enquiry looks up a property's status from details such as the area and land number. For off-plan homes, DLD says project progress can be tracked by plot number, project number or project name; check the project's escrow account and your Oqood registration as well.
| What to check | Where | A good result |
|---|---|---|
| The ad | The Madmoun QR code and the permit number on the ad | The authorised details match the ad, and the property isn't marked sold or rented |
| The permit | Verify License and Permits (DLD website, Dubai REST) | A valid permit for this advertiser and this property |
| The broker | Licensed Real Estate Brokers (DLD website, Dubai REST) | The broker and the office appear on the list |
| The title deed | Verify Title Deed (DLD website, Dubai REST) | The deed is valid, and the owner check matches the seller |
| An off-plan unit | Project status, escrow account and Oqood | A registered project, payments into its escrow account, and the unit registered in Oqood |
Check before you pay anything DLD urges buyers to verify the source of an ad and the licences behind it before paying any money. Run the checks above yourself, on the official website or app, before you hand over a cheque or make a transfer.
What happens if a property is advertised without a Trakheesi permit?
Advertising without a permit, manipulating permit numbers and using expired permits are all violations. When DLD fined 10 real estate companies and warned 30 more in October 2020, it said each fine was a progressive AED 50,000 and that penalties could go as far as cancelling the company's licence. The advertiser also bears the legal consequences if the permit number is left out of an ad.
If you are selling or letting, the permit is the agency's responsibility, but it starts with you: the agency needs your signed marketing contract before it can apply. Ask to see the permit before your property is advertised. For a price guide first, request a home valuation, or contact West Gate to list your property.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Trakheesi permit number?
It is the number of the advertising permit that DLD issues through its Trakheesi system. Real estate companies must obtain the permit before advertising and include the permit number in every ad.
How do I check a Trakheesi permit?
Scan the Madmoun QR code on the ad, or search the permit with DLD's Verify License and Permits service on the DLD website or in the Dubai REST app. The details should match the ad and the advertiser.
What does the QR code on a Dubai property ad show?
The Madmoun QR code, required on printed and audiovisual ads since 24 April 2023, shows the property's authorised details and whether it has already been sold or rented.
How do I check if a real estate agent is licensed in Dubai?
Use DLD's Licensed Real Estate Brokers service on the DLD website or in Dubai REST. A broker must be registered and hold a RERA broker card, which is valid only while the brokerage's licence is.
How can I check who owns a property in Dubai?
Use DLD's Verify Title Deed service on the DLD website or in Dubai REST. It confirms whether a title deed is valid, and the owner-and-property option checks the owner against the property.
How much does a Trakheesi permit cost?
DLD's Real Estate Ad Permit service lists AED 1,000 for most permit types and AED 5,000 for a project launch event, plus a AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee. The advertiser applies for the permit and pays the fee.
What should I do if an ad has no permit?
Don't pay a deposit or share your documents until the advertiser can show a valid permit that matches the ad. You can report the ad to Dubai Land Department.
Sources
- Dubai Land Department: DLD fines 10 real estate companies and warns another 30 for not adhering to advertising requirements, 20 October 2020
- Dubai Land Department: Madmoun service to verify real estate ads via QR codes, 18 April 2023
- Dubai Land Department: Real Estate Ad Permit (permit types, documents, fees, service time)
- Dubai Land Department: Verify License and Permits
- Dubai Land Department: Licensed Real Estate Brokers
- Dubai Land Department: Verify Title Deed
- Dubai Land Department: Property Status Enquiry
- Dubai Land Department: Frequently asked questions (broker card validity, project status)
Checked on 27 October 2026.
