Commercial Real Estate
Expert advice on site selection, lease negotiations, investment analysis and property management — for established businesses and new market entrants in the UAE.
Overview
Premises that fit the business plan
Expanding into the UAE, opening a second office, or rebalancing your retail and warehouse footprint? We help with site selection, lease negotiation and the practical realities of operating across mainland and free-zone jurisdictions — including the licence implications of where you choose to base the business.
What's Included
How we help commercial clients
Business Premises Sourcing
Office, retail and industrial space matched to operational and licensing needs.
Site Selection & Analysis
Foot-traffic, accessibility, tenant mix and licensing — assessed before you commit.
Market Research
Comparable rents, vacancy rates, and what comparable businesses are paying nearby.
Development Consultancy
Pre-construction and fit-out advisory for occupiers and developers alike.
Commercial Property Acquisition
End-to-end purchase support including due diligence and post-acquisition handover.
How It Works
Simple, Transparent Process
Requirements Brief
We establish your space requirements, budget, preferred location, and the licence and jurisdiction implications of where you choose to base the business.
Site Selection
We shortlist suitable premises across mainland and free zone locations, with market data on comparable rents and occupancy trends.
Due Diligence
We confirm licence compatibility, permitted uses, EJARI requirements, and landlord standing before any commitment is made.
Lease Negotiation
We negotiate terms, rent-free periods, and fit-out allowances on your behalf — ensuring the heads of terms protect your position.
Completion & Handover
We manage signing, payment coordination, and key handover through to operational readiness — including EJARI registration where required.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Commercial Property Questions Answered
Yes. Foreign-owned companies can lease commercial property throughout the UAE in both free zone and mainland areas. Freehold purchase of commercial units is available to foreigners in designated zones, though most commercial occupiers enter into lease agreements rather than purchases. Free zone offices must typically be leased within the specific free zone in which the company is licensed.
Commercial leases in Dubai are commonly structured on a one to three year basis, with longer terms negotiable for larger premises. Rent is typically paid annually or semi-annually via post-dated cheques. Service charges cover building maintenance, security, and common areas and are payable on top of the base rent. Fit-out periods and rent-free incentives are negotiable depending on the landlord and market conditions.
RERA — the Real Estate Regulatory Agency — oversees real estate licensing, broker regulation, and some aspects of commercial leasing in Dubai. Commercial tenancy disputes can be referred to the Rental Dispute Centre, part of the Dubai Courts, where RERA-registered lease agreements carry greater legal weight. We ensure all agreements are correctly structured and RERA-registered.
Beyond location and headline rent, key considerations include the fit-out specification and any landlord contribution, car parking allocation and cost, proximity to metro access, the building's DEWA (utilities) connection and capacity, and whether the space meets your licensing activity requirements. We conduct a structured needs assessment before shortlisting properties.
Still have questions? Our team is here to help.
Ask Us AnythingTalk to Us
Planning a UAE move or expansion?
Send us the brief — sector, headcount, target community — and we will come back with a short-list, not a deluge.