Dubai’s regulatory authority has recently fined 30 real estate companies, imposing a penalty of Dh50,000 on each for breaching advertising regulations.
Real estate agents have been utilizing misleading images of properties on various social media platforms, enticing potential tenants with deceptive visuals. Several Dubai residents fell victim to these online scams, some even making advance payments.
When Jordanian national Mohammed Nael sought a new residence, the property he physically visited differed significantly from the one depicted in the online photo.
Numerous real estate agents were found to post attractive photos of flats that did not match the reality. Some went as far as promising properties listed on social media and requesting advances, raising suspicion among renters like Mohammed.
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The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera), the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), has imposed fines on 30 real estate companies, each facing a penalty of Dh50,000, for violating advertising rules.
Rera emphasizes adherence to advertising regulations, requiring companies to provide accurate information and obtain advertising licenses. The inclusion of a QR code for property data verification is also mandatory. Instances of deceptive practices prompted authorities to urge property firms to strictly follow advertising rules for transparency.
Residents applauded the regulatory actions against fake advertisements, stressing the need for continuous monitoring of websites to prevent wasted time, money, and efforts. Syrians like Faris bin Hamdan encountered similar situations, facing discrepancies between advertised and actual properties. Syed Afeef, in his search for a family residence, criticized agents who posted misleading ads on platforms like Facebook, causing substantial inconvenience and resource loss.