DubaiNow App: Simplifying Real Estate Services

Table of Contents

• Introduction: A New Era of Digital Governance in Dubai
• What is the DubaiNow App?
• Core Real Estate Services Offered
  • Property Ownership and Title Deeds
  • Ejari Registration and Tenancy Management
  • Service Charge Payments
  • Utility Connections and Bill Payments
  • Real Estate Fee Payments
• Benefits for Residents and Investors
• DubaiNow App and Smart City Vision
• Case Study: A Tenant’s Journey Using DubaiNow
• Mistakes to Avoid When Using the App
• Fees and Charges Overview
• Risks and Challenges of Digital Real Estate Services
• FAQs About DubaiNow App Real Estate Services
• Conclusion: A Model for Global Smart Cities

Introduction: A New Era of Digital Governance in Dubai

Dubai has long positioned itself as a global leader in smart governance, and the launch of the DubaiNow App is a testament to this ambition. Built as part of the Dubai Paperless Strategy, the app provides a single digital gateway to over 120 services from more than 35 government and private entities. For property owners, tenants, and investors, it represents a paradigm shift in real estate services, eliminating the need for multiple visits to government offices and streamlining processes that once took weeks into a matter of minutes. Whether you are looking to invest in the Dubai real estate market with limited funds, or sufficient funds to go through the best real estate deals, DubaiNow app can help you through your journey.

What is the DubaiNow App?

DubaiNow app surpasses 1-million users milestone, facilitating over 20 million transactions across 30 govt and private entities. DubaiNow reflects @HHShkMohd’s vision for Dubai to be the best city to live in and helps ease people’s lives by providing all services on one platform. pic.twitter.com/5KfTc3urUQ

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 25, 2022

The DubaiNow App, developed under the Smart Dubai initiative, is the city’s official all-in-one platform for government services. Available on both iOS and Android, it consolidates services across key areas like:

• Real Estate (property ownership, tenancy contracts, fee payments)
• Utilities (water, electricity, telecoms)
• Transport (traffic fines, vehicle registration, Salik payments)
• Healthcare (appointments, medical records)
• Education (school fees)

For real estate, in particular, the DubaiNow App integrates with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority), and community management firms to centralize processes.

Core Real Estate Services Offered

Property Ownership and Title Deeds

Users can securely access digital title deeds directly from the app. Property surveys in Dubai or property verification services provide peace of mind for buyers and investors. For more information on Dubai’s property ownership rules, you can refer to the official Dubai Land Department portal.

Ejari Registration and Tenancy Management

Tenants and landlords can register, renew, or cancel Ejari contracts. The app allows uploading of contracts, ID copies, and supporting documents. Renewal reminders and fee payments ensure compliance with RERA regulations. Details on tenancy registration can also be found on RERA’s official guide.

Service Charge Payments

Owners of units in jointly owned properties (JOPs) can settle annual service charges via the app. Community service fees can be tracked transparently, reducing disputes between landlords and tenants.

Utility Connections and Bill Payments

Integration with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) enables new connections, settlement of outstanding bills, and real-time consumption tracking.

Real Estate Fee Payments

Users can pay DLD-related charges (e.g., transfer fees, ownership registration fees). Investors purchasing properties can finalize transactions faster without visiting physical counters.

Benefits for Residents and Investors

• Time Savings: Processes that required multiple in-person visits are now digitized.
• Convenience: One login for real estate, utilities, and government services.
• Transparency: Payment history and contract updates are available in-app.
• Trust: Official integration with DLD ensures authenticity of ownership records.
• Investment Confidence: International investors can verify property data remotely.

DubaiNow App and Smart City Vision

The DubaiNow App aligns with Dubai’s Paperless Strategy 2021 and Smart Dubai 2025 Vision. By consolidating services, the government reduces administrative overhead while enhancing the city’s attractiveness to global investors. Real estate, which contributes around 7.5% of Dubai’s GDP, is at the heart of this transformation.

Case Study: A Tenant’s Journey Using DubaiNow

Ali, a new tenant in Downtown Dubai, once had to visit multiple offices for Ejari registration, DEWA connection, and building service fee payments. With the DubaiNow App, his journey was simplified:

1. Ejari Contract Registration: Uploaded his tenancy agreement and Emirates ID, received instant digital confirmation.
2. DEWA Connection: Applied for a new connection, paid the deposit via the app, and had water/electricity activated within 24 hours.
3. Service Fee Settlement: Paid his building’s service charge through the app without visiting the management office.

Ali’s entire move-in process took less than two days, compared to over a week under the traditional system.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using the App

• Using unofficial platforms: Always download DubaiNow from the official App Store or Google Play.
• Missing Ejari renewals: The app sends reminders—ensure notifications are enabled.
• Ignoring payment confirmations: Always save or screenshot receipts for dispute protection.
• Using outdated versions: Update regularly to access the latest features and security updates.

Fees and Charges Overview

The DubaiNow App itself is free to use, but service-related charges apply:

• Ejari registration: AED 220 (approx.)
• DLD ownership transfer fees: 4% of property value
• DEWA deposits: AED 2,000 (apartments) / AED 4,000 (villas)
• Service charges: Vary by community and property type

(Fees may change—always check the DubaiNow App or DLD official website for updates.)

Risks and Challenges of Digital Real Estate Services

While the app simplifies processes, users must remain mindful of:

• Cybersecurity risks: Protect login credentials and avoid sharing access.
• Dependency on digital infrastructure: Network outages may temporarily disrupt service access.
• Limited awareness among expats: Many new investors are still unaware of the app’s full capabilities.

FAQs About DubaiNow App Real Estate Services

1. Can international investors use the DubaiNow App?
   Yes, foreign investors with registered Dubai properties can access ownership details, pay fees, and verify title deeds remotely.
2. Does DubaiNow replace Ejari offices?
   Yes, for most cases. The app enables full digital registration and renewal of Ejari contracts.
3. Are payments through DubaiNow secure?
   Yes, transactions are processed through DubaiPay, the government’s secure payment gateway.
4. Can I manage multiple properties through the app?
   Yes, landlords can manage multiple properties, including ownership details, service charges, and tenancy contracts.
5. What if I face a technical issue with the app?
   Support is available through the app itself or the Smart Dubai call center.

Conclusion: A Model for Global Smart Cities

The DubaiNow App is more than just a tool for convenience—it is a cornerstone of Dubai’s vision to be the world’s smartest city. By centralizing real estate services, it empowers investors, landlords, and tenants with transparency and speed, while boosting confidence in the city’s property sector.

For other global cities, the DubaiNow App offers a blueprint for integrating real estate services into broader e-government strategies. For residents and investors, it represents the future of property management: fast, paperless, and secure.

Work with Homecubes — Education & Readiness While VARA License Is Pending

Homecubes can help you use DubaiNow efficiently today—through clear, practical, non-regulated guidance—while our real estate tokenization platform license with VARA is still pending.

What we can do right now (education-only):

• Map your end-to-end DubaiNow journey (Ejari, DEWA, service charges, DLD fees).
• Provide step-by-step checklists, timelines, and fee calendars tailored to your situation.
• Review your document pack for completeness (not legal or financial advice).
• Share move-in/out playbooks for tenants, landlords, and investors.
• Host a short Q&A to unblock your next steps inside the app.

What’s next (subject to regulatory approval):

• When our VARA license is granted, we’ll announce limited pilot access to our tokenization workflows and related services—only within permitted scope.

👉 Contact Homecubes to get your DubaiNow action plan or to join the waitlist