Dubai Real Estate Brokerage and Property Management Group
Code of Ethics
Contents
Preamble
Scope and Application
Section 1: Duties to Clients and Customers
1.1 Protection and Promotion of Client Interests
1.2 Honesty, Integrity, and Full Disclosure
1.3 Confidentiality and Privacy
1.4 Competence, Licensing, and Duty of Care
1.5 Presentation of Offers
1.6 Viewings and Access to Property
1.7 Dual Agency and Conflicts of Interest Yes can be applied and added some extra points
1.8 Payment of Commissions and Disclosure of Fees
1.9 Sub-Leasing and Unauthorized Management Models
1.10 Transparency in Pricing and Prohibition of Undisclosed Financial Arrangements
Section 2: Duties to the Public
2.1 Compliance with Laws and Regulations
2.2 Truthfulness in Advertising and Marketing
2.3 Ethical Use of Social Media
2.4 Non-Discrimination
2.5 Public Trust and Professional Image
Section 3: Duties to Fellow Real Estate Professionals
3.1 Respect and Fair Competition
3.2 Cooperation and Compensation
3.3 Conduct Regarding Listings and Representation Agreements
3.4 Dispute Resolution and Mediation
3.5 Access and Viewing Coordination
3.6 Cooperating Broker Compensation
Enforcement and Governance
4.1 Oversight
4.2 Review and Amendments
Conclusion
Annexure
BPMG Dispute Resolution Process
Preamble
The real estate sector in Dubai is a foundation of the Emirate's development and global standing. Professionals in this field carry a responsibility not only to clients, but to the public, the Government, and to one another.
As members of the Dubai Real Estate Brokerage and Property Management Group (BPMG), we commit to the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and regulatory compliance in all our dealings. This Code of Ethics reflects our shared values and enhances trust in Dubai’s real estate market, supporting the vision of the Dubai Land Department (DLD) for a transparent and investor-friendly property sector. As members of the BPMG, we pledge to uphold this Code of Ethics to foster excellence, trust, and accountability within the real estate sector.
While this Code exceeds the minimum legal requirements established by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), in any case of conflict, the laws and regulations of the UAE and DLD shall take precedence.
Scope and Application
This Code applies to all BPMG members, including their agents, representatives, and employees, across all professional activities in real estate brokerage, property management, leasing, and related services—whether in-person or via electronic and social media channels.
Section 1: Duties to Clients and Customers
BPMG members owe their clients fiduciary duties of loyalty, honesty, confidentiality, and full disclosure, while treating all parties honestly and fairly.
1.1 Protection and Promotion of Client Interests
1.1.1 Members shall protect and promote the interests of their clients as their primary obligation.
1.1.2 Members shall not advise or facilitate activities that are unlawful, unethical, or in violation of DLD regulations.
1.2 Honesty, Integrity, and Full Disclosure
1.2.1 Members shall disclose all material facts relevant to a property or transaction of which they have knowledge.
1.2.2 Members shall not conceal known defects or misrepresent facts that could affect a property’s value, desirability, or legality.
1.2.3 All representations made in advertising, sales presentations, and communications must be truthful, accurate, and verifiable.
1.3 Confidentiality and Privacy
1.3.1 Members shall safeguard confidential information obtained in the course of any professional relationship.
1.3.2 Confidential information shall not be disclosed to third parties without the client’s consent, except as required by law.
1.4 Competence, Licensing, and Duty of Care
1.4.1 Members shall provide services only within their area of competence and licensure.
1.4.2 Members shall not offer services that require licensing they do not hold (e.g., real estate valuation, property supervision, facility management).
1.4.3 Members must ensure accuracy in their communications, advertising, and representations.
1.4.4 Where specialized services are required beyond their competence, members shall recommend the client engage qualified professionals.
1.5 Presentation of Offers
1.5.1 Members shall submit all offers and counteroffers objectively and promptly.
1.5.2 Members shall continue to present all offers until a sale is concluded or the seller provides written instructions otherwise.
1.5.3 Listing brokers shall confirm, in writing upon request, the submission of offers or the seller’s waiver of the obligation.
1.6 Viewings and Access to Property
1.6.1 Members shall not access or permit access to properties without proper authorization.
1.6.2 Showings shall be scheduled with advance notice to owners or tenants, respecting their rights and privacy.
1.6.3 Members shall leave properties in their original condition, ensuring security measures (locks, alarms) are reinstated.
1.6.4 Delays or cancellations of scheduled showings must be promptly communicated.
1.6.5 Unless otherwise instructed by the seller in writing, if an agent holds the keys to the property, they must accompany any viewing of that property.
1.6.6 If the agent is arranging for someone to view an occupied property, they must agree on the arrangements with the occupier, including any tenants, beforehand in writing, wherever possible.
1.6.7 Keys must be coded and kept secure.
1.6.8 Key records are to be maintained. These records must be kept secure and separate from the actual keys.
1.6.9 Keys are to be handed over to other agents only if the owner has given permission in writing and the agent has a valid ID in place until the keys are returned to the rightful original agent.
1.6.10 Agents must exercise reasonable diligence to ensure that after any visit by them, the property utilities are turned off (unless advised otherwise by the owner in writing) and the property is secured.
1.6.11 Unless otherwise instructed by your client, if you hold the keys to the property, you should be present at any viewings. You should not allow a prospective purchaser or tenant to visit the property without supervision.
1.6.12 If you are arranging for someone to view a property that is not vacant, you should agree on the arrangements with the occupier (including any tenants) beforehand with 24 hours’ notice, where possible.
1.6.13 If access to a property is required by a person on behalf of the purchaser or tenant (e.g., a surveyor, builder, or tradesman) and you hold the key but are not able to accompany that person, written permission should be obtained from the vendor or landlord before you hand over the key.
1.7 Dual Agency and Conflicts of Interest Yes can be applied and added some extra points
1.7.1 Members may represent multiple parties in a transaction only with the informed written consent of all parties.
1.7.2 Members shall disclose any personal interest they or their immediate family have in a transaction prior to the client signing an agreement.
1.7.3 If you intend to offer or recommend to consumers surveying, financial, investment, insurance, conveyancing, or other services, or those of an associate or connected person, where the service provider rewards you for referral by any means of money, gift, or any other form of benefit(s), you must disclose the arrangement to consumers in writing.
1.8 Payment of Commissions and Disclosure of Fees
1.8.1 Members shall not accept compensation from more than one party to a transaction without full disclosure and informed consent from all parties.
1.8.2 Members shall disclose any financial benefit received from third parties (referrals, rebates) to their clients.
1.8.3 Members shall not receive undisclosed commissions, rebates, or profits from expenditures made on behalf of a client.
1.9 Sub-Leasing and Unauthorized Management Models
1.9.1 Members shall not engage in sub-leasing or short-term leasing models without the property owner’s explicit written consent and in compliance with applicable laws and required licenses.
1.9.2 Members shall not re-lease properties under “management agreements” unless fully disclosed and contractually agreed with the owner.
1.9.3 Management agreements must clearly state terms, responsibilities, and fees, aligned with DLD or Dubai Economy &i Tourism regulations.
1.10 Transparency in Pricing and Prohibition of Undisclosed Financial Arrangements
1.10.1 Members shall not engage in any practice of quoting different prices to the buyer and seller in the same transaction without the full knowledge and written consent of both parties.
1.10.2 Members shall not collect or retain any undisclosed financial benefit, markup, or difference in price between the seller’s accepted offer and the buyer’s payment.
1.10.3 Members holding Power of Attorney (POA) shall not use such authority to negotiate prices, terms, or financial arrangements that are not fully disclosed in writing to the seller (grantor of the POA).
1.10.4 Any financial benefit derived from a transaction, beyond disclosed commissions or fees, must be explicitly detailed in the agency agreement or transaction documents.
1.10.5 Members found engaging in such practices may be subject to sanctions, including expulsion from BPMG and referral to the Dubai Land Department for regulatory action.
Section 2: Duties to the Public
Members must act in a manner that protects public interest and upholds the integrity of the real estate profession.
2.1 Compliance with Laws and Regulations
2.1.1 Members shall comply with UAE laws, DLD regulations, and other relevant authorities.
2.1.2 Members must remain informed of regulatory updates and ensure compliance in their practices.
2.2 Truthfulness in Advertising and Marketing
2.2.1 Members shall ensure that advertising, whether online or offline, is truthful and not misleading.
2.2.2 Members shall clearly identify their name, brokerage, and license number in all advertisements and listings.
2.2.3 Members shall not advertise properties without valid authorization from the owner or authorized party.
2.3 Ethical Use of Social Media
2.3.1 Members must follow DLD regulations regarding advertising permits and QR Codes.
2.3.2 Members must follow DLD’s Social Media Code of Conduct.
2.3.3 Members are responsible for all content shared on social media and digital platforms.
2.3.4 Members shall not disclose confidential information or make unsubstantiated claims.
2.3.5 Misleading or inaccurate information must be corrected promptly.
2.3.6 Paid promotions or endorsements must be clearly disclosed..
2.4 Non-Discrimination
2.4.1 Members shall not deny services or engage in discriminatory conduct based on religion, caste, doctrine, race, color, or ethnic origin, in accordance with UAE law..
2.4.2 Discriminatory advertising, statements, or practices are strictly prohibited.
2.5 Public Trust and Professional Image
2.5.1 Members shall conduct business to enhance public confidence in the real estate profession.
2.5.2 Members shall not engage in behavior that discredits BPMG or Dubai’s real estate sector.
Section 3: Duties to Fellow Real Estate Professionals
Members owe respect, fairness, and honest cooperation to fellow professionals to promote an ethical industry.
3.1 Respect and Fair Competition
3.1.1 Members shall not make false or misleading statements about other real estate professionals or their businesses.
3.1.2 Members shall not interfere with exclusive representation agreements held by other brokers.
3.2 Cooperation and Compensation
3.2.1 Members shall cooperate with other brokers when it benefits their clients.
3.2.2 Changes to offered compensation must be communicated prior to an offer submission.
3.3 Conduct Regarding Listings and Representation Agreements
3.3.1 Members shall not solicit listings or agreements under exclusive contracts with another broker unless initiated by the client.
3.3.2 Members shall not circumvent DLD’s limit of three active Contract A forms by falsely claiming to represent a buyer or through any other form of misrepresentation to the property owner.
3.3.3 Any future agreements may be discussed but must not become effective until the existing agreement expires.
3.4 Dispute Resolution and Mediation
3.4.1 Members shall submit disputes to BPMG’s dispute resolution process before pursuing litigation.
3.4.2 Members shall not obstruct BPMG’s professional standards proceedings through intimidation and legal threats.
3.4.3Members shall make every effort to resolve disputes with other real estate professionals in a respectful and professional manner.
3.4.2 The process annexed to this code shall apply to disputes between BPMG members:
3.5 Access and Viewing Coordination
3.5.1 Members shall not misrepresent property availability for viewings or inspections.
3.5.2 Viewings must be coordinated respectfully with the listing broker, property owner or tenant.
3.6 Cooperating Broker Compensation
3.6.1 Listing brokers shall compensate cooperating brokers as agreed in writing and not alter terms post-offer submission.
3.6.2 Cooperation agreements must be honored, and offer negotiations shall not be used to modify agreed compensation.
3.6.3 Compensation shall not be offered directly to another broker’s salesperson without broker consent.
Enforcement and Governance
4.1 Oversight
4.1.1 BPMG is responsible for enforcing this Code among its members.
4.1.2 Members found in breach may face sanctions, including warnings, suspension, expulsion, or fines.
4.2 Review and Amendments
4.2.1 This Code shall be reviewed annually and amended as necessary to reflect regulatory changes and best practices.
4.2.2 Members are encouraged to provide input during the review process to maintain relevance and efficacy.
Conclusion
By adopting this Code, BPMG members demonstrate leadership in ethical and professional real estate practice. This Code sets the standard for transparency, trust, and investor confidence in Dubai, with a vision toward future adoption across the broader industry.