What is a Real Estate Activity Report (REAR) in the UAE?
A Real Estate Activity Report (REAR) is a specific report that licensed real estate brokers and agents in the UAE must file with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) through the goAML platform when a freehold sale or purchase transaction involves defined cash or virtual asset payments. It was introduced by the Ministry of Economy to close a known money laundering gap in property dealings, where large sums can change hands with limited traceability.
The REAR is distinct from a Suspicious Transaction Report. It is a threshold-based, objective filing, not a suspicion-based one. A broker files a REAR simply because a transaction meets the reporting criteria, whether or not anything looks suspicious. This gives the FIU visibility over high-value cash and crypto property flows across the market.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· MOE Circular No. 5/2022 on the Real Estate Activity Report - obliges licensed brokers and agents to file a REAR via goAML for qualifying freehold transactions from 1 July 2022.
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134/2025 (Executive Regulations), Article 3(2) - defines real estate brokers and agents as DNFBPs subject to AML/CFT obligations.
For more details, consult the full text of MOE Circular 5/2022 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.