Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has introduced a new package of administrative decisions aimed at strengthening governance and transparency across the emirate’s real estate sector.

The measures are part of the implementation of Law No. (3) of 2015, as amended by Law No. (2) of 2025, and are designed to create a more flexible and robust legislative framework aligned with international best practices.

Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC, said the decisions provide flexible tools to adapt to market dynamics, enhance sector efficiency, and reinforce investor confidence, positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading real estate hub.

The newly announced decisions address several key aspects of real estate development and management. These include tighter controls on escrow accounts, particularly regulating withdrawals before a project reaches 20% completion, to better safeguard buyers’ funds.

The framework also introduces clearer guidelines for jointly owned properties, defining the roles and responsibilities of owners, developers, and management companies to ensure the sustainable management of shared assets. In addition, the measures standardise the structure and operations of owners’ committees, enhancing governance and encouraging greater community participation.

Further provisions outline fair and transparent procedures for compensation and refunds in cases of off-plan project cancellations, as well as the resale of units, ensuring balanced protections for both buyers and developers. Overall, the package is set to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s real estate regulatory ecosystem by improving operational efficiency, enhancing transparency, and safeguarding the interests of developers, investors, and property owners.