Many Dubai residents and owners encounter “Form A”, “Form B” or “Form F” when renting out, buying or selling property and understandably assume that these are tenancy contracts. In reality, these are Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) unified real estate contracts focused on brokerage and sale, and they sit alongside – not instead of – the unified Ejari tenancy contract.
This article explains how Form A, Form B and Form F work in Dubai, how they are created in the Dubai Brokers / Dubai REST system, and how they interact with the unified tenancy contract used for Ejari. It also sets out what documents are required for lease registration, the maximum tenancy period, limits on the number of residential contracts and where tenancy cancellation and “offer and deposit” applications fit in.
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Why Forms A, B and F Matter for Dubai Tenants and Landlords
Dubai Land Department and its regulatory arm, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, have standardised key real estate documents by introducing three unified contracts: Contract A, Contract B and Contract F. These models are available through the DLD’s systems and only become formal once recorded and documented at the DLD. They are central to how brokers market, negotiate and finalise property transactions.
In practice, residents often see these forms for the first time when a broker asks them to sign “Form A” to lease out a flat, or “Form F” when buying a property that already has a tenant. Because the terminology is technical and the same forms are used across sale and lease marketing contexts, it is easy to confuse these contracts with the actual tenancy agreement required for Ejari.
Understanding the distinction is important. Forms A and B regulate relationships with brokers; Form F is the sale and purchase contract between seller and buyer. The landlord-tenant relationship, and all Ejari-related processes, are governed instead by a separate unified tenancy contract (the standard lease contract).
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Overview of Dubai’s Unified Real Estate Contracts
Dubai Land Department’s announcement on unified real estate contracts confirms that three standard models are accessible via its system:
- Contract A (Form A) – between the seller (or property owner) and the broker.
- Contract B (Form B) – between the buyer and the broker.
- Contract F (Form F) – between the seller and the buyer.
These models are used in DLD’s digital environment – primarily the Dubai Brokers system and the Dubai REST application – as “smart” contracts. The Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide emphasises that registered brokers must use these smart marketing and sales contracts as part of the DLD’s smart transformation of brokerage services.
In this framework:
- Form A is the real estate marketing and appointment agreement signed by an owner to authorise a broker to market a property for sale or lease and to obtain advertising permits.
- Form B records a buyer’s desire to purchase a property and sets out the buyer–broker relationship and related financial parameters for purchase searches.
- Form F is the unified sale and purchase contract that must be used for property transactions, with scope for additional terms that do not conflict with the standard clauses.
These contracts operate together: a broker typically works under an approved Form A and an active Form B, and can then generate Form F by linking A and Bin the Dubai Brokers system. When a property is already leased, Form F also captures relevant tenancy information, but it remains a sale contract, not a lease.
Form A – Seller/Landlord Appointment and Marketing Agreement
The Dubai Land Department defines Contract A (Form A) in its Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide as an agreement to market a property between the seller and the brokerage. In practice, “seller” in this context includes the property owner acting as a landlord when the objective is to lease out the unit rather than to sell it.
RERA’s 2016 circular describes Form A explicitly as a Real Estate Marketing Agreement. It must be signed by the property owner to authorise a broker to market properties for sale or for lease and to obtain advertising permits through the DLD’s electronic system. Without a signed Form A, a broker cannot lawfully obtain permission from the DLD to represent or advertise a property in the market.
The circular also clarifies that an owner can sign Form A:
- Exclusively with one broker, giving that brokerage sole marketing rights, or
- With multiple brokers, allowing more than one brokerage to market the same property.
In tenancy situations, this has a specific effect. When a landlord appoints a brokerage to lease out an apartment or villa, Form A is the standard DLD marketing and appointment contract that governs the relationship between the landlord and the leasing broker. It will include property details, the agreed rent or pricing parameters, and the broker’s commission terms.
However, Form A does not create a tenancy relationship with a tenant. It:
- Is between the owner and the broker, not the landlord and tenant.
- Authorises marketing and representation, not occupation of the property.
- Cannot be used to register or renew a lease in Ejari.
The tenancy relationship arises only once a unified tenancy contract (the standard lease contract) is signed between landlord and tenant and then registered in the Ejari system.
Form B – Buyer–Broker Agreement for Purchases
Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide defines Contract B (Form B) as an agreement of desire to purchase a property between the buyer and the real estate broker. It is therefore a buyer-broker contract focused on purchase searches, not leases.
According to the DLD’s “Broker’s Journey to create Contract B”:
- The broker creates Form B within the Dubai Brokers system/Dubai REST application.
- The form records the buyer’s identity, and it can include multiple buyers if more than one person is jointly purchasing.
- It allows the broker to define property requirements – such as type, size or budget range – reflecting the buyer’s preferences.
It sets out financial details connected to the search and potential purchase, including how the broker will be remunerated.
The contract is structured specifically for purchase transactions. The DLD’s practice materials treat it as the standard mechanism for appointing a broker to represent a buyer in property acquisitions. They do not position Form B as the prescribed form for engaging a broker to look for a rental property.
Consequently, if you are a tenant engaging a broker to help locate a rental, any agreement you sign with that broker is not, by the DLD’s design, Form B. As a standardised DLD purchase instrument, Form B is oriented towards purchases.
Form F – Unified Sale and Purchase Contract
The DLD defines Contract F (Form F) in its Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide as an agreement to sell a property between the seller and the buyer. It is the unified sale and purchase contract for property transactions in Dubai.
The DLD investor guide clarifies several important elements of Form F:
- Mandatory use—contracting parties must use the standard Form F sale and purchase contract for property transactions.
- Additional terms—parties may add or attach their own terms and conditions, provided that these do not conflict with the standard terms in Form F.
- Broker’s role—where a broker represents one of the parties, the broker’s appointment must be evidenced by a standard brokerage contract (such as Form A or Form B) in addition to Form F.
Operationally, the DLD’s “Broker’s Journey to create Contract F” shows that:
- The broker generates Form F in the Dubai Broker’s application.
- An approved Contract A (seller–broker) and an active Contract B (buyer–broker) are linked to create Form F.
- The broker then completes details, including:
- Seller and buyer information.
- Contract duration.
- Financial details and DLD fee details.
- Any additional terms agreed by the parties.
Within the same workflow, there is a specific step to verify tenancy contract information. This means that when the property is already subject to an existing lease, relevant tenancy details are captured in Form F so that the sale contract reflects that the property is tenanted.
However, it is critical to note that even in those circumstances, Form F remains a sale and purchase agreement, not a tenancy contract. The existing lease continues to be governed by the unified tenancy contract registered in Ejari, and any subsequent tenancy changes follow Ejari-based procedures rather than amendments to Form F.
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Where Tenancy Contracts Fit: The Unified Ejari Lease
For leasing and Ejari registration, the Dubai Land Department uses a separate standard form called the unified tenancy contract or standard lease contract. Forms A, B and F are not used as tenancy contracts for Ejari.
The DLD’s Ejari registration and renewal service specifies that:
- The required contract form is the standard lease contract (unified tenancy contract).
- If you use the app-based channel, you must upload a copy of the unified tenancy contract.
- If you go through a Real Estate Services Trustee centre, you must present the original unified tenancy contract together with identification, such as an Emirates ID and any relevant power of attorney.
- For users who have direct access to the Ejari system (such as some companies, owners or representatives), the system itself contains the unified tenancy contract data at the time of entry, so no additional documents are required at that point.
The DLD’s tenancy FAQ further explains that the unified Ejari contract:
- Includes all data required for registration—property details, parties’ information, contract term, rent and so on.
- Contains sample clauses, with the option to add special conditions tailored to the parties’ needs, provided they do not conflict with applicable regulations.
- Can be obtained through the Ejari website, reflecting its status as a standardised DLD template.
The same FAQ sets important regulatory parameters for tenancy contracts registered in Ejari:
- The maximum period allowed for a tenancy contract is 10 years.
The maximum number of residential tenancy contracts currently allowed under a single person’s name is three, with this figure subject to change by the Rental Section.
The table below summarises the key distinctions between the brokerage/sale forms and the unified tenancy contract:
| Feature / Document | Form A (Contract A) | Form B (Contract B) | Form F (Contract F) | Unified Tenancy Contract (Ejari Standard Lease) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Parties | Property owner (seller/landlord) and broker | Buyer and broker | Seller and buyer | Landlord and tenant |
| Primary Purpose | Appointment and marketing agreement for sale/lease | Buyer-broker agreement expressing desire to purchase | Unified sale and purchase contract for property transactions | Standard lease contract governing the landlord-tenant relationship |
| Is It a Tenancy Contract / Used for Ejari? | No, not a tenancy contract; not used for Ejari | No, purchase-focused; not used for Ejari | No, sale contract only; reflects tenancy info if property is tenanted | Yes, this is the contract used for Ejari registration and renewal |
| Created/ Recorded Through | Dubai Brokers/ Dubai REST by broker; formal once recorded at the DLD | Dubai Brokers/ Dubai REST by broker | Dubai Brokers by linking the approved Form A and the active Form B | Ejari system: via app, Real Estate Services Trustee centres or direct Ejari access |
| Typical Transaction Use | The owner authorises the broker to market the property for sale or lease | The buyer appoints a broker to search and negotiate a purchase | Finalises the sale and purchase between the seller and buyer, including the DLD fees | Establishes and regulates tenancy; required for registration, renewal, and cancellation procedures |
In practice, your Ejari registration, renewal, cancellation or offer-and-deposit requests will always revolve around the unified tenancy contract. Forms A, B and F may exist in the background if a broker is involved or if the property is being sold, but they do not substitute for the unified lease in Ejari procedures.
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Using Forms A, B and F in Leasing Scenarios
When a landlord appoints a brokerage to lease out a property, Form A is the standard DLD marketing and appointment contract. It sets out what the broker is authorised to do, on what terms, and how the broker will be remunerated from the lease transaction. The RERA circular clarifies that a signed Form A is a prerequisite for the broker to obtain permission from the DLD to market the property for lease or to secure advertising permits.
Despite its presence in a leasing context, Form A remains a brokerage contract between the owner and the broker. It does not, by itself:
- Identify a tenant.
- Grant a right of occupation.
- Create a lease term or rent schedule binding a tenant.
The actual lease arises only when the landlord (or their authorised representative) and the tenant sign the unified tenancy contract, which is then registered in Ejari.
Form B plays a different role. It is structured for purchase representation. Even where a property is tenanted, the DLD’s definition of Form B remains the same: it records a buyer’s desire to purchase and regulates the buyer-broker relationship. It is not adopted by the DLD as the standard instrument for appointing a broker to find a rental property, and it is not part of Ejari registration.
When a tenanted property is sold, the DLD’s “Broker’s Journey to create Contract F” shows how the documentation interacts:
- The broker links an approved Form A (showing the seller-broker relationship) and an active Form B (showing the buyer-broker relationship) to generate Form F.
- During the workflow, tenancy contract information is verified so that Form F accurately captures the fact that the property is subject to an existing lease.
In this scenario:
- Form F governs the sale between the seller and buyer.
- The unified tenancy contract continues to govern the existing lease between landlord and tenant.
- The lease remains subject to Ejari regulations, and any future changes must be handled via Ejari services (such as renewal or cancellation).
For landlords and tenants, the key is to distinguish clearly between brokerage/sale contracts and the unified lease. Signing Form A or B sets out expectations with a broker; signing Form F commits you to a property sale. None of these replaces the need for a unified tenancy contract where you enter into or continue a lease.
Common Misconceptions and Practical Checks for Residents
Because Forms A, B and F are highly visible in real estate transactions, several common misconceptions arise. Being aware of these and knowing how to check your documents can prevent confusion and disputes.
- Misconception 1: “Form F is my tenancy contract.”
Form F is the sale and purchase contract between the seller and the buyer. Although the DLD’s workflow includes a step to verify existing tenancy contract information when creating Form F, that is purely to ensure the sale correctly reflects an existing lease. The tenancy itself continues to be governed by the unified tenancy contract registered in Ejari.
- Misconception 2: “I can register Ejari using Form A or Form B.”
DLD’s Ejari registration and FAQ documents are explicit: the document required is the standard lease contract (unified tenancy contract). Whether you use the app or visit a Real Estate Services Trustee centre, it is the unified tenancy contract – not Form A or B – that must be submitted or already stored in the Ejari system.
- Misconception 3: “If I have a brokerage contract, my tenancy rights are secured.”
A brokerage contract (Form A between owner and broker, or Form B between buyer and broker) primarily regulates brokerage services and commission. It does not, on its own, establish or protect tenancy rights. Those rights arise from the unified tenancy contract and its Ejari registration.
To navigate these issues, the DLD’s brokerage contract FAQ provides a useful checklist of what a proper brokerage contract must include. It states that brokerage contracts should clearly set out:
- The parties’ data (seller or buyer, as applicable).
- The property data.
- The agreed amount.
- The commission rate.
- The date of registering the property with the DLD.
These brokerage contracts are transferred electronically through the Dubai REST application, reinforcing their role within DLD’s digital ecosystem.
In parallel, the DLD’s Ejari FAQs emphasise that the unified tenancy contract contains all necessary data for lease registration and allows for special conditions. When you are dealing with a tenancy:
- Confirm that you have a unified tenancy contract naming you as landlord or tenant.
- Check that this contract has been, or will be, registered in the Ejari system.
Do not rely on brokerage forms as substitutes for the lease, even if they describe rental amounts or arrangements in passing.
Typical Document Flow When a Tenanted Property Is Sold
When a property already has a tenant and is subsequently sold, several DLD-regulated documents may coexist. A general, simplified flow consistent with the DLD’s materials looks like this:
-
Owner–Broker Stage: Form A (Contract A)
The property owner signs Form A with a registered real estate brokerage. This real estate marketing agreement authorises the broker to market the property for sale (even when it is tenanted). It enables the broker to obtain the necessary marketing and advertising permissions in the DLD’s electronic system. The owner may choose to sign Form A with one or multiple brokers. -
Buyer–Broker Stage: Form B (Contract B)
A prospective buyer signs Form B with their chosen broker. In the Dubai Brokers/Dubai REST system, the broker creates Contract B, entering the buyer’s identity, any additional buyers, the property requirements and financial details linked to the intended purchase. This contract formalises the buyer-broker relationship.
-
Sale Contract Stage: Form F (Contract F)
Using the Dubai Brokers application, the broker generates Form F by linking the existing approved Form A and active Form B. The broker then completes the required details: seller’s data, buyer’s data, contract duration, financial arrangements and DLD fee details, as well as any additional terms agreed by the parties. As part of this workflow, the DLD’s guidance shows a step to verify tenancy contract information to ensure that Form F accurately reflects that the property is leased. -
Ongoing Tenancy: Unified Tenancy Contract (Ejari)
Throughout this process, the tenant’s rights and obligations continue to be governed by the unified tenancy contract registered in Ejari. The sale does not, by itself, cancel the existing lease; the lease remains subject to Ejari rules, including the maximum lease duration of 10 years and any other regulatory conditions.
- Subsequent Tenancy Procedures (If Needed)
Separately, the DLD provides specific services dealing with changes to the tenancy:
- The “Cancel Tenancy Contract” service deals with the cancellation of an Ejari-registered tenancy contract for a vacated property. It requires the unified tenancy contract and identification or power-of-attorney documents.
- The “Offer and deposit application” service allows a party, in certain rental situations, to deposit a new tenancy contract, cheques and keys with the competent judge. This procedure uses its own application documents.
Summary: Choosing the Right Contract for Your Situation
Dubai Land Department’s framework distinguishes carefully between brokerage, sale and tenancy documentation:
- Form A is an owner-broker appointment and marketing agreement used for both sale and lease marketing.
- Form B is a buyer-broker agreement that expresses the buyer’s desire to purchase and defines their search and financial terms.
- Form F is the unified sale and purchase contract, mandatory for property transactions, which may incorporate additional non-conflicting conditions and reflect existing tenancy information.
- The unified tenancy contract (standard lease contract) is the only contract used for Ejari registration and regulation of landlord-tenant rights, subject to a maximum term of 10 years and current limits on the number of residential contracts per person.
This approach will help ensure that brokerage, sale and tenancy contracts are each used correctly and transparently in line with the DLD and RERA guidance.
FAQ: Form A vs Form B vs Form F and Dubai Tenancy Forms
What Is Form A in Dubai Real Estate?
Form A, or Contract A, is the Dubai Land Department’s real estate marketing agreement between a property owner and a registered broker. It authorises the broker to market the property for sale or for lease and to obtain advertising permits through DLD’s electronic system. It is required before a broker can lawfully represent and advertise a property, but it is not a tenancy contract and cannot be used to register a lease in Ejari.
What Is the Difference Between Form A, Form B and Form F?
Form A is a seller/landlord-broker contract for marketing and appointment. Form B is a buyer-broker contract expressing the buyer’s desire to purchase and defining search and financial parameters. Form F is the seller-buyer sale and purchase contract required for property transactions.
Is Form F a Tenancy Contract in Dubai?
No. Form F is not a tenancy contract in Dubai. It is the unified sale and purchase agreement between the seller and the buyer. When a property is already leased, the DLD’s workflow for creating Form F includes a step to verify the existing tenancy contract information so that the sale contract recognises the lease. However, the lease itself continues to be governed by the unified tenancy contract registered in the Ejari system.
Which Contract Is Used for Ejari Registration in Dubai?
For Ejari registration, the Dubai Land Department requires the standard lease contract, also referred to as the unified tenancy contract. According to DLD’s Ejari service, app users provide a copy of the unified tenancy contract. Visitors to Real Estate Services Trustee centres provide the original contract and identification documents. Users with direct Ejari system access enter the unified tenancy data directly.
Do I Need Form A or Form B for a Rental in Dubai?
If you are a landlord appointing a brokerage to lease out a property, you will usually sign Form A, which is the DLD’s standard marketing and appointment agreement and a prerequisite for the broker to obtain advertising permits. If you are a tenant seeking a rental, DLD does not designate Form B as the standard form for rental searches; Form B is defined as an agreement of desire to purchase between a buyer and a broker. Regardless, for the tenancy itself, you must sign a unified tenancy contract with the landlord and register it in Ejari.
What Is the Maximum Tenancy Contract Period in Dubai Ejari?
The DLD’s tenancy FAQ states that the maximum period allowed for a tenancy contract in the Ejari system is 10 years. Any unified tenancy contract registered in Ejari must therefore have a term that does not exceed this limit, regardless of what the parties might wish to agree privately.
How Many Residential Tenancy Contracts Can I Have in Dubai?
According to the DLD, the maximum number of residential tenancy contracts currently allowed under one person’s name is three. This cap is subject to change by the Rental Section, so it is advisable to consult the latest DLD guidance if you plan to hold multiple residential leases simultaneously.
Does Cancelling Form A or Form B Cancel My Tenancy?
No. Cancelling a brokerage contract, such as Form A or Form B, affects your relationship with the broker but does not cancel a tenancy. The DLD has a separate “Cancel Tenancy Contract” service specifically for terminating an Ejari-registered unified tenancy contract when a property is vacated.
What Is the Unified Tenancy Contract in Dubai and How Do I Get It?
The unified tenancy contract is DLD’s standard lease form used for Ejari registration. It contains all the data required for registration, includes sample clauses and allows for additional special conditions that do not conflict with regulations. You will use it for new lease registrations, renewals and any procedures in the DLD and the Ejari system that relate to your tenancy.
Explained by
Randa Sameer
Real Estate Services Trustee Consultant at EGSH
Randa Sameer has over three years of experience supporting Dubai Land Department transactions and real estate registrations. Her professional focus includes compliance with DLD regulations, ownership transfers, and trustee documentation.
