What customer due diligence must UAE real estate brokers perform?
UAE real estate brokers must carry out customer due diligence (CDD) on both buyers and sellers before or during the transaction. CDD means identifying the customer and verifying their identity using reliable, independent documents, identifying any beneficial owner behind a corporate party, understanding the purpose and nature of the transaction, and conducting ongoing monitoring proportionate to the assessed risk.
For natural persons, brokers collect a valid Emirates ID or passport copy. For legal persons, they collect the trade licence, articles of association, the register of beneficial owners and identification for every beneficial owner and shareholder. Where the broker cannot complete CDD, it must not proceed with the transaction and should consider filing a Suspicious Transaction Report.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, Article 4 — sets out the core CDD measures, including identification, verification and ongoing monitoring on a risk-based approach.
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, Article 14 — prohibits proceeding where CDD cannot be applied.
For more details, consult the full text of Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.
A deep dive into AML compliance for the UAE real estate sector
UAE real estate brokers must carry out customer due diligence (CDD) on both buyers and sellers before or during the transaction. CDD means identifying the customer and verifying their identity using reliable, independent documents, identifying any beneficial owner behind a corporate party, understanding the purpose and nature of the transaction, and conducting ongoing monitoring proportionate to the assessed risk.
For natural persons, brokers collect a valid Emirates ID or passport copy. For legal persons, they collect the trade licence, articles of association, the register of beneficial owners and identification for every beneficial owner and shareholder. Where the broker cannot complete CDD, it must not proceed with the transaction and should consider filing a Suspicious Transaction Report.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, Article 4 — sets out the core CDD measures, including identification, verification and ongoing monitoring on a risk-based approach.
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, Article 14 — prohibits proceeding where CDD cannot be applied.
For more details, consult the full text of Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.
A deep dive into AML compliance for the UAE real estate sector