What Is a Trakheesi Permit?
A Trakheesi permit is the advertising permit that the DLD and its regulator, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), issue for a specific property advertisement in Dubai. "Trakheesi" roughly translates from Arabic as "my licences". Each permit is tied to one property, one broker or developer, and one marketing agreement.
It covers every channel where a property is promoted:
- Property portals and websites
- Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and other social media
- Newspapers, magazines and brochures
- Billboards, SMS campaigns and video ads
Every permit carries a unique number. Print and audiovisual ads must also show a QR code that links back to the DLD record, so anyone can scan it and see who is advertising the property and whether they're allowed to.
Why the Trakheesi System Exists
Dubai's market moves quickly. Before permits were enforced, the same apartment could appear twenty times at twenty different prices, and some listings didn't exist at all. They were bait to collect phone numbers.
The Trakheesi System fixes that by linking each ad to a registered agreement between the owner and a licensed broker. That's what registered property advertising means in practice: the ad points back to a real unit, the owner's consent, and a broker the regulator can hold to account. For anyone comparing flats for sale in Dubai, it takes a lot of guesswork out of the search.
Who Needs a Trakheesi Permit?
Real estate brokerages
Any licensed brokerage marketing a sale or rental needs a permit for each listing. The agent named on the ad must hold an active RERA broker card.
Developers
Developers advertising off-plan projects need permits for project campaigns, launch events, and sales material. The project generally has to be registered with the DLD, with an escrow account set up, before marketing starts.
Property owners
Owners selling or letting their own homes usually list through a licensed broker, who takes care of the permit. The major portals won't publish a Dubai listing without a valid permit number, so a private ad with no broker behind it rarely gets far.
Holiday home operators need a separate permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism for short-term lets, on top of any advertising permit.
Trakheesi Broker Registration: The Step Before the Permit
An agent can't apply for a permit on their own. Trakheesi broker registration happens through the brokerage, and it rests on three things:
- A Dubai trade licence for real estate brokerage
- Registration of the brokerage office with RERA
- A RERA broker card for each agent, which means completing the Dubai Real Estate Institute's broker training and passing the exam
Once registered, the agent's card links to the brokerage's account in the Trakheesi System. Expired cards are one of the most common reasons applications bounce, so check renewal dates before a busy listing month.
Documents for a Trakheesi Permit Application
Before you start a Trakheesi Permit Application, gather the following:
- Form A, the registered marketing agreement between the owner and the brokerage. Its contract number is the key input.
- The title deed, or Oqood details for off-plan property.
- A copy of the owner's passport or Emirates ID.
- The brokerage's trade licence and the agent's active broker card.
- Property details such as unit number, size, price, and whether it's for sale or rent.
Everything in the ad has to match Form A. If the agreement says AED 1.6 million and the portal says AED 1.45 million, expect questions.
How to Apply for a Trakheesi Permit, Step by Step
Applications are made online through the DLD website or the Dubai REST app. New to it? Our Dubai REST app guide covers the basics. The process looks like this:
- Log in to the brokerage account on Dubai REST or the DLD Trakheesi portal.
- Open the advertising permit service and pick the permit type, such as a single unit, a project, or an event.
- Enter the Form A contract number. The system pulls in the property and owner details.
- Select the channels where the ad will run.
- Pay the fee online.
- Download the permit with its number and QR code.
Straightforward applications are often approved within a working day. Fees and validity periods differ by permit type, and DLD revises them from time to time, so confirm current figures in Dubai REST before you budget a campaign. One rule stays fixed: a permit can't outlast the Form A behind it. When the marketing agreement expires, so does your right to advertise that property.
Dubai Property Advertising Rules You Need to Follow
Getting the permit is only half the job. Keeping the ad compliant is the other half.
Show the permit number and QR code
The permit number has to appear on every ad. Since April 2023, the DLD has also required the QR code on print and audiovisual material, including brochures, billboards, and video.
Keep the facts accurate
Price, size, location, and unit details must match the permit. A "starting from" price that no real unit carries is a classic violation.
One property, one permit
A permit for one apartment can't be reused for another unit in the same building. Each property needs its own.
Remove sold or expired listings
Leaving a sold unit online to collect enquiries counts as misleading advertising. Take it down once the deal closes or the permit lapses.
Social media is advertising too
An Instagram reel walking through a villa is an advertisement. The same rules apply, permit number included.
Penalties for Advertising Without a Permit
The DLD has enforced these rules more than once. In 2024, it fined 30 real estate companies AED 50,000 each for advertising violations and said the fines are progressive, with repeat offences putting a brokerage's licence at risk. Earlier rounds targeted expired or tampered permit numbers.
For a brokerage, the fine is the smaller worry. A suspended licence freezes every deal in the pipeline.
How Buyers Can Use the Trakheesi Permit
Buyers benefit too. Before you contact anyone about a listing:
- Scan the QR code or check the permit number in the Dubai REST app.
- Make sure the broker and brokerage match the person you're dealing with.
- Check that the property details match the ad.
A missing permit isn't proof of fraud, but it's a good reason to move on. Whether you're looking at a 1 BHK apartment for sale in Dubai as a first investment or something bigger for the family, the check takes two minutes and can save you a wasted viewing.
Want to start with listings you can verify? Browse our 2 BHK apartments for sale in Dubai and ask our team for the permit details on anything you shortlist.
Common Questions About the Trakheesi Permit
Q1. Do social media posts need a Trakheesi permit?
Yes. Any post promoting a specific Dubai property for sale or rent is an advertisement and needs a valid permit.
Q2. Can a property owner apply for a Trakheesi permit directly?
Permits are issued to licensed brokerages and developers. Owners normally work through a RERA-registered broker who signs Form A with them.
Q3. How long is a Trakheesi permit valid?
It depends on the permit type, and it never runs beyond the expiry of the Form A agreement. Check the current validity in the Dubai REST app.
Q4. How do I verify a Trakheesi permit?
Scan the QR code on the ad, or enter the permit number in the Dubai REST app, to see the broker, brokerage, and property linked to it.
Buying in Dubai With Confidence
The Trakheesi permit is a small detail on a listing, but it says a lot. It shows the owner agreed to the sale, the broker is licensed, and the details are on record with the regulator. Brokers who treat it as routine avoid fines. Buyers who check it avoid wasted time.
If you're ready to take the next step, explore our 3 bedroom apartments for sale in Dubai or talk to the Purvanchal UAE team about homes that fit your budget and timeline.
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