Land Department goes live with eNOC

Dubai property owners can now take certificates electronically

The eNOC system went live at Dubai Land Department yesterday. Currently, these NoCs are issued by the developer or the owner association (OA) management company. And they typically charge between Dh1,500Dh3,000 for the same. In some instances, getting the OK cost the owner even Dh5,000.

“Whether it’s a one-year old property or 10 years, developers/OAs are still demanding – and getting – a fee for the NOC issue,” said a property owner currently selling a unit at Dubai Silicon Oasis. “I was asked for Dh1,500, even though I had no outstanding payments of any sort with the developer or the property management firm. “It’s an unwarranted charge and should not be added as a burden on the seller.”

No prescribed fees

The Land Department has not prescribed any fees that property sellers should be paying for the eNOCs, and that’s what is giving owners a lot of hope. According to some market sources, with the Land Department launching eNOC, the need for the seller to involve the developer is cut off. If that’s the case, there is also no need for the seller to make the obligatory payment to the developer/OA.

The Land Department and Rera (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) have been pushing the transaction process involving property buying and selling onto online channels. This includes valuation and registration checks. The launch of eNOC is the latest in the online evolution. Once the approval for the eNOC is received, the owner must contact the registration trustee office to conduct the property sale. “No effort should be spared to remove ‘hidden’ charges in the property market,” said a market source. “If there are no dues left, why should it cost a property owner any additional sum just to get a certificate from the OAE firm?” the source said.