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Tag: Abu Dhabi

  • Aldar Completes Abu Dhabi’s First Off-Plan Mortgage Under ADREC Framework

    Aldar Completes Abu Dhabi’s First Off-Plan Mortgage Under ADREC Framework

    Aldar has become the first developer in Abu Dhabi to complete mortgage financing on an off-plan property through Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre’s (ADREC) newly launched framework that enables the financing bank to be formally named on the mortgage registration certificate before property handover.

    The framework allows a customer who has paid 50 percent of the purchase price to arrange a mortgage against their off-plan property, with the bank funding the remaining installments and the final handover payment.

    This gives customers certainty over their financing terms in advance, preserves liquidity throughout the construction period and removes the need to arrange a mortgage at completion. It also provides an alternative to traditional financing arranged at handover, giving customers a wider range of financing options and greater choice over rates and terms.

    Setting a new precedent for the Abu Dhabi market, Aldar has completed the first registration under the new framework, with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) supporting the initial transactions as the mortgage bank, in line with the UAE Central Bank regulation which requires customers to have paid 50 percent of the property price to be eligible for off-plan mortgage financing.

    “The completion of this registration demonstrates ADREC’s off-plan mortgage registration service in live market use. By enabling mortgage interests in eligible off-plan real estate units to be recorded in the Initial Real Estate Register, the service strengthens transparency and provides greater clarity and protection for buyers, developers and financial institutions,” said Ghazi Saeed Alateibi, Executive Director – Real Estate Transaction Sector at ADREC.

    “The service is available on a market-wide basis to participating institutions that meet the relevant requirements, supporting a secure and well-regulated off-plan market in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

    Aldar customers can access off-plan financing through ‘Home Finance by Aldar’, an in-house mortgage advisory service available to customers without fees. It provides a simple way to explore options from a broad panel of participating banks and identify the most appropriate financing solution.

    “As Abu Dhabi continues to develop as a leading global business and lifestyle destination, its real estate market is growing in both appeal and sophistication. The new off-plan mortgage framework introduced by ADREC marks an important step in further enhancing the transparency and accessibility of the market,” said Faisal Falaknaz, Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer at Aldar.

    The move comes as Abu Dhabi real estate transactions doubled to $31.86 billion in the first half of 2026, with off-plan sales accounting for 89 percent of total residential sales value. The new framework addresses a key financing gap in the emirate’s rapidly growing off-plan market, where buyers previously had to wait until handover to secure formal mortgage registration.

  • Abu Dhabi Rent Rules Could Reduce Tenant Turnover and Stabilise Costs

    Abu Dhabi Rent Rules Could Reduce Tenant Turnover and Stabilise Costs

    Tenants in Abu Dhabi could have more reason to stay in their homes for longer as rent restrictions reduce landlords’ ability to raise prices between tenancies, according to Colliers.

    The consultancy said limiting rent increases between tenants reduces the incentive for landlords to replace existing residents with new tenants willing to pay higher rents.

    Stability vs. Flexibility

    For landlords, the regulation could limit near-term rental upside and potentially put pressure on yields. However, it could support higher tenant retention, lower mobility and greater certainty over housing costs, particularly after a period of strong rental growth in the capital.

    The change comes as Abu Dhabi’s residential rental market has already started to moderate. Average apartment rents declined two per cent in Q2 2026, while villa rents fell three per cent, according to Colliers. Despite the quarterly decline, rents remained higher than a year earlier, with apartment rents up seven per cent year-on-year and villa rents five per cent higher.

    New Homes Exempt

    A key part of the regulation is that newly completed properties remain exempt, allowing landlords of new homes to lease them at prevailing market rates.

    Colliers said this could create a two-tier rental market in Abu Dhabi. Existing regulated properties would see more limited rental growth, while newly delivered developments would have greater flexibility to establish rents based on current market conditions.

    For tenants, that could mean more stability when staying in an existing property, while residents moving into newly completed developments may still face rents set by prevailing demand and supply.

    Lower Mobility Expected

    If landlords have less ability to reset rents sharply when one tenant leaves and another moves in, the financial incentive to replace existing tenants becomes smaller. Colliers said this should support stronger tenant retention and reduce residential mobility.

    Lease renewals already accounted for most leasing activity in Abu Dhabi during Q2, reflecting lower tenant movement as the market entered a softer phase.

    The consultancy said an important point to watch will be when and how the rent restriction is eventually adjusted or removed. However, if market conditions continue to moderate, Colliers said the removal of the cap would be unlikely to trigger a sharp rise in rents.

    Abu Dhabi’s approach contrasts with Dubai’s planned rent-now-pay-later service, which aims to ease payment burdens through instalment options. Meanwhile, the capital’s real estate transactions doubled to $31.86 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by off-plan residential sales.

  • Abu Dhabi Introduces Livability Framework for Major Urban Developments

    Abu Dhabi Introduces Livability Framework for Major Urban Developments

    The Urban Planning and Permits Centre (UPPC) will oversee implementation of the framework, which applies to mixed-use developments and tourism destinations, moving beyond traditional planning requirements to ensure communities are designed around people through walkable neighborhoods, connected mobility and vibrant public spaces.

    “Every master plan approved today will shape how people live for generations,” said Eng. Abdulla Mohamed Alblooshi, Director-General of the UPPC. “Through the Livability by Design Framework, we are ensuring that growth is measured not only by what is built, but by the quality of life it creates.”

    The framework embeds universal accessibility and high-quality public realm standards that support healthier, more inclusive and resilient communities. UPPC has completed an updated assessment checklist, supporting guidance documents, submission templates and communication materials ahead of implementation.

    The existing submission and approval process will remain unchanged, enabling developers to integrate the new framework seamlessly while maintaining planning certainty and efficiency.

    Eng. Mansour Al Harbi, Acting Executive Director of the Activation & Development Control Sector at the UPPC, said the framework provides greater clarity and consistency for developers from the earliest stages of project design.

    “By defining livability expectations upfront, we are enabling developments that deliver stronger community outcomes while supporting efficient planning and more predictable approval processes. The result is a built environment that is more accessible, connected and responsive to the evolving needs of Abu Dhabi’s communities.”

    The initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing international reputation for planning excellence, building on its position as the most liveable city in the MENA region according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2026 Global Liveability Index.

    Abu Dhabi’s property market has shown strong momentum in 2026, with transactions doubling to $31.86 billion in the first half of the year. The capital’s residential property values increased 17.8 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, while Hudayriyat Island led market performance with Dh19 billion in residential sales during H1 2026.

    The framework supports Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading destinations to live, work and invest, with the livability mandate now applying to all major urban developments moving forward.

  • Sheikh Khaled Inaugurates $201 Million Al Samha Housing Project in Abu Dhabi

    Sheikh Khaled Inaugurates $201 Million Al Samha Housing Project in Abu Dhabi

    Abu Dhabi has unveiled another milestone in its mission to deliver sustainable, fully serviced residential communities that enhance quality of life for Emirati families. The Al Samha Housing Project, inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, represents a comprehensive approach to urban planning that goes beyond housing to create integrated neighborhoods.

    During the visit, His Highness was briefed on the project’s design specifications and key features, including its comprehensive infrastructure and public service facilities. The development covers 50 hectares and includes 242 villas, each built on a 1,080-square-meter plot with a total built-up area of 505 square meters.

    The project incorporates 33 public parks and green spaces, a mosque spanning 1,228 square meters with capacity for 644 worshippers, two commercial complexes containing 38 retail outlets, and a 3-kilometer cycling track. The development was delivered by the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA) in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC), in line with the highest quality standards and international best practices.

    “The project reflects a commitment to providing world-class housing options aligned with the leadership’s vision for stable and well-served communities,” stated Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport and Chairman of ADHA.

    Officials highlighted that the Al Samha Housing Project reflects the leadership’s commitment to developing fully integrated and sustainable residential communities that support family wellbeing, prosperity and a high quality of life. Abu Dhabi’s housing approach focuses on building comprehensive communities that integrate housing, services and modern infrastructure to enhance social wellbeing and empower Emirati families.

    The project is part of the Emirati Neighbourhood Initiative led by ADHA, which aims to deliver modern housing within well-planned communities that promote social stability and support urban development across the emirate. This initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s sustained housing support, which has exceeded AED5.76 billion in 2026.

    Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director-General of ADHA, noted that the project marks an important milestone in meeting citizens’ housing needs, with careful planning to ensure it aligns with Emirati family requirements in terms of space, design and community facilities.

    The Al Samha development demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to creating liveable, sustainable urban environments as the emirate’s population heads toward six million by 2040. The project contributes to the broader vision of transforming Abu Dhabi into a destination that balances strategic growth with quality of life, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a regional leader in planned urban development.

  • Abu Dhabi Approves 20.8M sqm of Development in Q1 2026

    Abu Dhabi Approves 20.8M sqm of Development in Q1 2026

    The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announced on June 17, 2026, that first-quarter development approvals reached 20.8 million square meters of gross floor area, up from 17.7 million square meters in Q1 2025, signaling accelerating momentum in Abu Dhabi’s construction pipeline.

    New permit requests rose to 5,096, up 14% year-on-year, reflecting fresh demand from developers initiating new projects across residential, commercial, and mixed-use segments.

    Work start notices — issued when approved projects break ground — climbed to 3,244, a 14.3% increase, while inspection requests surged 24.5% to 34,391, indicating high levels of on-site construction activity across the emirate.

    “These figures demonstrate the continued strength and resilience of Abu Dhabi’s development market. The growth we are seeing across approvals, project starts, and on-site activity reflects the confidence investors and developers place in the emirate as a stable, forward-looking destination for long-term capital,” said His Excellency Eng. Abdulla Mohamed Al Blooshi, Director General of the Urban Planning & Permits Centre at DMT.

    The Q1 performance builds on sustained momentum from 2025, when DMT approved 75 million square meters of gross floor area, a 137% year-on-year increase, with over 11,000 building permits issued across housing, manufacturing, technology, and hospitality sectors.

    Housing initiatives represented the largest share of development approvals, with nearly 190,000 residential units planned across new and existing neighborhoods. These include more than 158,000 market units and approximately 30,000 homes dedicated to UAE Nationals, supported by an extensive network of community amenities, including schools, healthcare facilities, community majlis, and retail destinations.

    “This sustained momentum reinforces the belief investors have in our vision for the future and underscores the effectiveness of the regulatory and service environment we have built to enable the emirate’s continued urban transformation,” Al Blooshi added.

    The surge in development approvals comes as Abu Dhabi positions itself for long-term growth, with the emirate’s population projected to reach six million by 2040. Recent government initiatives, including a Dh55 billion public-private partnership pipeline covering 24 infrastructure projects and a housing benefits package worth AED1.54 billion, underscore the emirate’s commitment to supporting residential and commercial expansion.

    The emirate’s property sector has also benefited from rent stabilization measures introduced earlier this month, aimed at maintaining housing affordability amid growing demand and double-digit rent increases in some segments.

  • UAE Condemns Iran Attack on Habshan Gas Facility and Bab Field

    UAE Condemns Iran Attack on Habshan Gas Facility and Bab Field

    The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong statement following the attempted strike on critical energy infrastructure, describing the attack as a direct threat to regional security and global energy supply.

    “The UAE reserves its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and national security, and to safeguard its national interests,” the ministry stated.

    This terrorist attack targeting critical infrastructure and oil facilities represents a direct threat to regional security and stability, as well as to global energy security.

    The attack comes amid a broader escalation across Gulf energy infrastructure. Reuters reported that Iran had warned of retaliatory strikes on energy sites in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar after Iranian gas facilities were hit on Wednesday.

    In Qatar, missile attacks caused extensive damage at Ras Laffan Industrial City, the centre of the country’s LNG operations, although no casualties were reported. The strikes mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, with critical energy infrastructure now directly in the crosshairs.

    Oil Markets React to Energy Security Threat

    Oil markets responded sharply to the latest attacks. Brent crude rose by as much as 3 per cent on Thursday as investors assessed the growing risk to energy infrastructure and supply routes.

    Brent futures climbed $3.69, or 3.44 per cent, reaching $111 per barrel earlier in the day. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $2.29, or 2.38 per cent, to $98.61.

    The attacks on UAE facilities follow a pattern of escalating strikes across the region. Earlier this week, Dubai’s property market demonstrated resilience despite ongoing regional geopolitical tensions, with industry leaders citing structural advantages and diversified buyer base as key factors supporting continued capital inflows.

    The UAE’s air defence systems successfully intercepted the attack, preventing damage to the Habshan gas facility and Bab field. No injuries were reported, according to official sources.

    The incident underscores the vulnerability of Gulf energy infrastructure and raises fresh concerns about the security of global energy supply at a time when markets are already under pressure from geopolitical instability.