Guide & FAQ
Note: The figures are all rounded up to the nearest 500 to secure confidentiality.
What's the difference between Freehold & GCC Plots?
Freehold properties can be owned by both UAE nationals and foreigners (in designated areas), while GCC plots are restricted to GCC nationals.
Freehold properties are available in specific zones for foreigners, while GCC plots are available for purchase only by GCC nationals, often without restrictions within certain areas.
Can a GCC plot be converted to Freehold?
Yes, selected areas in Dubai have now been approved to convert to Freehold.
A DLD official estimation has to be obtained & the owner has to pay 30% of that estimation to complete the conversion.
What is GFA?
The Gross Floor Area refers to the total area of the building or buildings, including all floors (above and below ground) that will be developed on the plot. It is the area calculated from the external walls of the building.​
Includes: All usable and non-usable spaces such as living areas, offices, hallways, storage, and service areas (e.g., elevators, stairwells, bathrooms)
Does Not Include: Balconies, terraces, and mezzanines (depending on the local regulations).
What is the difference between GFA & BUA?
Plot Built-Up-Area refers to the maximum or proposed built-up area that can be constructed on a specific plot of land, depending on zoning and planning regulations.
It’s important for developers to ensure that their designs comply with the maximum allowable BUA for a given plot, which is often dictated by the plot ratio (also known as floor area ratio, or FAR) in local zoning laws.
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BUA is similar to Gross Floor Area (GFA), but there are differences in certain contexts. The GFA is typically used to calculate the total area of a building (including external walls) without deducting any spaces, while BUA may sometimes exclude certain elements like external walls, depending on how it's defined in the project or by local authorities.
What is FAR?
FAR stands for Floor Area Ratio. It is a key metric used to regulate the intensity of land use and determines how much built-up area can be developed on a specific plot of land.
The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is a ratio of the total built-up area (BUA) of a building to the total plot area. It dictates how much floor space can be constructed on a given plot.
FAR = Built-Up Area (BUA)​ / Plot Size