Ajman ARRA Regulations: Buyers & Sellers Compliance Guide

TL; DR

ARRA (the Ajman Real Estate Regulatory Agency) is the name most people know for Ajman’s property regulator. The Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation now registers sales, title deeds, and mortgages.
Buyers pay the sale registration fee: 2% of the value for an apartment, plus AED 350 for the title deed.
Registering a sale does not clear the seller’s mortgage. The bank must release it or approve its transfer.
There is no automatic 10-day cooling-off period. Your contract decides whether you can cancel and get your deposit back.
Under Central Bank rules, expats can borrow up to 80% on a first home worth up to AED 5 million, and up to 50% on off-plan property.

What is ARRA, and is it the same as Ajman RERA?

ARRA is the Ajman Real Estate Regulatory Agency, set up under Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2008 to regulate real estate development and jointly owned property in Ajman. In 2017, Amiri Decree No. 7 of 2017 established the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation. This Department is the official authority that buyers and sellers deal with today for sale registration, title deeds, mortgages, off-plan unit registration and real estate office registration.

Many people search for “Ajman RERA regulations” because RERA is a familiar acronym from Dubai. In Ajman, the correct name is ARRA, and the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation (ajmanre.gov.ae) administers the rules. Dubai RERA belongs to the Dubai Land Department, and its forms, fees and procedures do not apply in Ajman.

Which laws govern property sales in Ajman?

Legislation	What it covers
Amiri Decree No. 7 of 2008	Land ownership and registration. UAE and GCC nationals can own freehold property across the emirate. Other nationalities can own in areas designated by the Ruler.
Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2008 (amended by Decrees No. 11 and 12 of 2008)	Establishes ARRA, regulates jointly owned property, and requires developers to register projects and use escrow accounts.
Law No. 3 of 2020	Owners’ affairs in jointly owned buildings.
Law No. 1 of 2025	Real estate contribution projects.

What should buyers check before paying a deposit?

1. Can you own property in that location?

If you are not a UAE or GCC national, confirm that the building or community is in an area designated for foreign ownership. Our guide to Ajman freehold areas explains where expats typically buy.

2. Is the seller the real owner?

Ask to see the current title deed, ownership certificate or initial registration certificate, and check that the name matches the seller’s ID. If someone signs on the owner’s behalf, the power of attorney must be valid and must specifically cover the sale.

3. Is there a mortgage or unpaid service charge?

Registration records the change of ownership. It does not wipe out a mortgage, debt or other liability. If the seller has a mortgage, their bank must issue a release letter so the Department can register the release. Agree in writing how the seller’s loan will be paid off from the sale price, so money is not released before the bank confirms the release.

For apartments, the Department requires a clearance certificate or no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer before it can register the sale. Ask the developer or management company what must be paid, such as service charges, before it will issue the NOC.

4. Does the contract protect your deposit?

Put the deal in writing before paying anything. The agreement should state the price, the deposit and who holds it, who pays each fee, any mortgage-approval condition, the transfer date, and what happens if either side withdraws.

Ajman has no general, penalty-free 10-day cooling-off period. Whether you can cancel, and whether you lose your deposit, depends entirely on the contract you sign.

5. Is the agent’s office registered?

The Department issues registration certificates to real estate offices in Ajman. Ask for the office’s registration details, check them with the Department, and agree on the commission in writing.

6. Buying off-plan? Check the project and escrow account

Confirm that the project is registered with the Department, and pay only into the project’s escrow account, never into a personal account. While you are still paying for the unit, you receive an initial registration certificate. Final registration follows once payments are complete and the developer and management company issue their NOC. See our off-plan buying guide for more detail.

How much are property registration fees in Ajman?

The Department lists these fees in the Ajman government service catalogue. Fees can change, so confirm them before you transact.

Fee	Amount	Paid by
Sale registration: apartment or other unit	2% of the property value	Buyer
Sale registration: land or whole building (UAE and GCC nationals)	2%, minimum AED 2,500	Buyer
Sale registration: land or whole building (other nationalities)	3%, minimum AED 3,000	Buyer
Title deed or ownership certificate	AED 350	Charged when issued
Mortgage registration	0.5% of the loan, minimum AED 1,000	Borrower
Mortgage release registration	AED 500	Owner

Budget separately for agent commission, bank fees and the developer’s NOC charge. Our guide to hidden costs when buying apartments in Ajman covers these costs.

How much can you borrow to buy in Ajman?

The Central Bank of the UAE, not ARRA, sets mortgage limits. The Department only registers the bank’s mortgage against the property. Under the Central Bank’s mortgage regulations, the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are:

Buyer and property	Maximum LTV
Expat, first home up to AED 5 million	80%
Expat, first home above AED 5 million	70%
Expat, second home or investment property	60%
UAE national, first home up to AED 5 million	85%
UAE national, first home above AED 5 million	75%
UAE national, second home or investment property	65%
Any buyer, off-plan property	50%

Total monthly debt repayments cannot exceed 50% of gross income. The maximum mortgage term is 25 years, and loans are capped at seven times annual income for expats and eight times for UAE nationals. Banks can lend less than these limits, so get written pre-approval before signing. Read more in our expat mortgage guide for Ajman apartments.

What must sellers do before the transfer?

Prepare ownership documents. You need the original title deed or certificate if it is not linked to your Emirates ID. Companies also need their founding contract and trade licence.
Resolve any mortgage. Ask your bank early for a release letter or written approval for the buyer to take over the loan.
Request the developer NOC. Settle outstanding service charges first, as they can delay the NOC.
Disclose known issues in writing. Record tenancies, disputes or defects in the agreement to reduce the risk of later claims. Take legal advice if you are unsure what to disclose.
Price realistically. A formal valuation is not required before listing. If the buyer is taking a mortgage, their bank will carry out its own valuation.
Plan your signing. If you cannot attend, appoint someone under a power of attorney. The Department charges extra fees for sales signed under a power of attorney.
Check tax if it applies. For commercial property or property owned through a company, confirm the VAT and Corporate Tax position with a tax adviser.

How does sale registration work?

Submit the application and documents through the Department’s e-services.
Receive approval and a payment notification by SMS or email.
Pay the fees.
All parties sign the sale contract.
Receive the new title deed or certificate digitally.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, see Sale Registration of a Property in Ajman.

Common myths about Ajman property rules

Myth	Fact
Buyers get 10 days to cancel without penalty.	No general cooling-off period applies. The contract governs cancellation.
Registration clears the seller’s debts.	A mortgage must be released or transferred separately.
ARRA sets mortgage limits.	The Central Bank of the UAE sets them.
Dubai RERA rules apply in Ajman.	Ajman has its own authority, laws and fees.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-residents buy property in Ajman?

Yes, in areas where their nationality is allowed to own. The Department accepts a valid passport as ID for non-resident foreigners, so a UAE residence visa is not needed to register a purchase.

Can I sign the sale without visiting the Department?

Yes. The Department can send an employee to authenticate signatures off-site for a fee: AED 300 in Ajman, AED 500 in Sharjah or Umm Al Quwain, AED 1,000 in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, AED 2,000 in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain, and AED 3,000 in the Western Region.

Can I buy a property and take over the seller’s mortgage?

Yes, if the bank agrees. With the bank’s written approval, the Department can register the mortgage in the new owner’s name without changing its value or term, for a fee of AED 1,000 plus AED 350 for the updated certificate.

What does it cost to pay off a mortgage early or switch banks?

Central Bank rules cap the early or partial settlement fee on home loans at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less. The Department also charges a fee to register the mortgage with the new bank. Check with the Department whether your case counts as a transfer or a new registration.

Can I use a personal loan or credit card for the down payment?

No. Central Bank rules require the down payment to come from your own resources, not from personal loans or credit cards.

How does an off-plan mortgage pay the developer?

When payments are made in stages during construction, the bank must use your own share of the price to pay the developer first. Only after that is paid will the bank release the loan money.

Does buying for investment change how much I can borrow?

Yes. When assessing affordability, banks must deduct at least two months’ rent to allow for vacant periods. Interest-only periods are allowed only on investment loans, and for no more than five years.

Is there a maximum age for a UAE mortgage?

The Central Bank sets no fixed age limit. Each bank sets its own maximum age at the final repayment, so limits differ between lenders.

What is a real estate contribution project in Ajman?

A real estate contribution project is one in which several investors fund the development of undeveloped land, the redevelopment of old buildings, or the completion of an under-construction project. Law No. 1 of 2025 regulates these projects in designated areas, and the Department keeps a central register of each project’s developers, investors and ownership shares.

How do I contact the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation?

Call 80070, email info@ajmanre.gov.ae, or use the e-services at ajmanre.gov.ae. Many services are also available through the Ajman government service catalogue at ajman.ae.

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This guide is general information based on official sources available at the time of review. It is not legal or financial advice. Confirm the current rules with the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, your bank or a qualified adviser before you transact.