Your Next Deal Is Already in Your CRM
|
May 1, 2025
-
If you advertise property in the UAE, you need a government advertising permit, and which system you use depends on the emirate. Dubai uses Trakheesi, run by the Dubai Land Department. Abu Dhabi uses Madhmoun, run by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre. This guide explains both in plain English, what they are, who needs them and what to have ready, and points you to the official source for the current rules.
UAE advertising permits at a glance
- Property adverts in the UAE need a valid government advertising permit, and the permit number must appear on the advert.
- Dubai uses the Trakheesi system, operated by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
- Abu Dhabi uses the Madhmoun system, operated by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).
- In both emirates, all of the major UAE property portals require a valid permit number before a listing can go live.
- The documents you need depend on the listing type (resale, lease or off-plan) and the emirate.
- Rules and fees change and differ by emirate, so always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you list.
Dubai: the Trakheesi system
Trakheesi is the Dubai Land Department's system for issuing real estate advertising permits. Before a brokerage can publish a Dubai listing, it applies for a permit through the Trakheesi system on the Dubai Land Department's website, and DLD issues a permit number tied to that specific property and advert. The permit number must appear on the advert, and the advert must match the permit. The aim is to keep listings genuine and traceable, which reduces duplicate and misleading adverts.
What you need, by listing type
- Resale: the broker normally needs Contract A, commonly called Form A, the marketing agreement between the seller and the brokerage.
- Leasing: the broker should hold the owner authorisation or leasing brokerage agreement required under the current DLD and RERA process.
- Off-plan: advertising a project or unit generally requires a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer.
A seller can appoint one brokerage exclusively, or appoint more than one on a non-exclusive basis, up to the limit RERA allows. Each appointment is made through a Form A. Confirm the exact position with DLD or RERA before you list.
Why Dubai listings get rejected
Most permit-related rejections come down to a few avoidable problems: no permit number on the advert; an expired permit; a mismatch between the advert and the permit, such as the price or property details; or missing documents, such as a resale advertised without a valid Form A. Most are caught only after the advert has been built, which wastes time.
Abu Dhabi: the Madhmoun system
Madhmoun (مضمون, “verified” in Arabic) is Abu Dhabi's official digital permit system for property advertising, launched by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). It has been described as the UAE's first government-backed Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Since July 2025, a valid Madhmoun permit has been required for property advertisements in the emirate, issued through ADREC's DARI platform (dari.ae).
A few features distinguish it:
- Up to three approved brokers can advertise the same listing.
- Only licensed brokers and companies registered with ADREC can apply, and the property owner must approve a broker's request before a permit is issued.
- The system verifies listing details against official records before a permit is granted.
Mainland Abu Dhabi vs ADGM
Not all of Abu Dhabi sits under Madhmoun. Properties in the ADGM free zone, which includes Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, follow a separate advertising-permit process on the AccessRP platform, which works alongside Madhmoun. Some categories, such as certain hotel apartments and holiday homes, may be treated differently. Confirm the current position with ADREC or the portal.
How PropSpace helps
PropSpace supports the compliance side of listing across the UAE.
When you add a listing, PropSpace gives you a single field, Transaction No., to record the permit number, a Trakheesi number in Dubai or a Madhmoun number in Abu Dhabi. The number is then carried onto the published advert so it appears on the portals.
For Trakheesi specifically, PropSpace can also optionally validate the permit before the listing is sent out to the portals, so a missing or mismatched permit is flagged early. This is a helper you choose to run, not a gate. PropSpace does not issue or enforce permits, and the destination portal runs its own check and makes the final decision on whether an advert goes live, whether or not you validated in PropSpace. Keeping a listing compliant remains the broker's responsibility.
See the Brokerage CRM · Compare plans and pricing
Frequently asked questions
What is Trakheesi?
Trakheesi is the Dubai Land Department's system for issuing real estate advertising permits. A valid permit is required to advertise any property in Dubai, and the permit number must appear on the advert.
What is Madhmoun?
Madhmoun is the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre's official digital permit system for property advertising. Since July 2025 a valid Madhmoun permit has been required to advertise property in mainland Abu Dhabi, issued through the DARI platform.
Do you need a permit to advertise property in the UAE?
Yes. You need a valid advertising permit, and which system applies depends on the emirate, Trakheesi in Dubai and Madhmoun in Abu Dhabi (with a separate AccessRP process in the ADGM free zone).
What is Form A?
Form A, also called Contract A, is the marketing agreement between a property seller and the brokerage in Dubai. It is normally required before a resale listing can be advertised.
Can more than one broker advertise the same property?
In Dubai it depends on the appointment: a seller can appoint a brokerage exclusively or more than one on a non-exclusive basis, subject to RERA rules. In Abu Dhabi, Madhmoun allows up to three approved brokers per listing, with the owner's approval.
Does PropSpace issue Trakheesi or Madhmoun permits?
No. Permits are issued by the Dubai Land Department (Trakheesi) and the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Madhmoun). PropSpace generates the relevant RERA forms, lets you record the permit number on the listing, and can optionally validate a Trakheesi permit before a listing is sent to the portals, but it does not issue or enforce permits. The portal makes the final decision.
What happens if you advertise without a permit, or with the wrong one?
In Dubai, advertising without a valid permit, or with incorrect permit details, is a RERA violation. Fines start at around AED 50,000 and rise for repeat offences, and a brokerage can also face listing removal or licence suspension. Abu Dhabi applies its own penalties through ADREC. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority.
This guide is general information and reflects the position as of June 2026. Rules and fees change and differ by emirate, so always confirm current requirements with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or RERA in Dubai, and the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) in Abu Dhabi, before advertising.