Form A is the agreement used to establish the professional relationship between a Dubai property owner and a licensed real estate broker. It authorises the broker to market the property and records the main terms under which the broker will represent the owner.

Also known as Contract A, the document is particularly important when selling a completed property on the secondary market. It helps establish who may advertise the property, the expected selling price, the broker’s commission and the duration of the appointment.

Form A is not a sale and purchase agreement. It does not transfer ownership, guarantee a sale or replace the final contract between the seller and buyer. Its purpose is to regulate the relationship between the owner and the broker before a buyer is secured.

Why Is Form A Important?

Dubai’s property market uses regulated forms to create a clearer record of the parties involved in a transaction.

Form A gives the broker documented authority to represent and market the property. It also helps prevent properties from being advertised without the owner’s knowledge or with inaccurate information.

For sellers, the agreement provides a written record of:

The broker and brokerage appointed
The property being marketed
The proposed selling price
The broker’s commission
Whether the appointment is exclusive
The contract’s validity period
Any additional conditions agreed between the parties

For brokers, Form A demonstrates that the owner has authorised the marketing activity. A marketing agreement with the property owner is also required when a broker applies for several types of real estate advertising permits.

Who Signs Form A?

Form A is signed between the property owner and the appointed real estate broker or brokerage.

The owner should be the person recorded on the property’s official ownership records. If somebody is signing on the owner’s behalf, that person should hold a valid power of attorney that provides the necessary authority.

Where a property has multiple owners, the required owners or their legally authorised representatives may need to approve the appointment. Sellers should confirm the applicable signing requirements before marketing begins.

The broker should hold a valid professional card and operate through a properly licensed real estate brokerage.

What Information Does Form A Contain?

The precise information and available fields can depend on the transaction and electronic workflow. However, Form A generally records the following areas.

Owner details

The agreement identifies the property owner and may include relevant identification and contact information.

Every name and identification number should match the supporting documents. Errors can create difficulties later when the transaction progresses to the buyer agreement and ownership transfer.

Broker and brokerage details

Form A identifies the broker and the real estate company representing the seller.

Owners should independently confirm that both the broker and brokerage are properly licensed before signing.

Property details

The property description should match the title deed and other official records. Depending on the property, this may include:

Property type
Building or project
Area or community
Plot or unit details
Property size
Current occupancy status
Mortgage status

The owner should not approve a form containing incomplete or incorrect property information.

Asking price

The intended marketing price should be recorded clearly.

This does not necessarily mean that the seller must accept an offer at that price. The final sale remains subject to negotiation and the terms of the buyer-seller agreement. However, the asking price helps define the broker’s marketing instructions.

If the price changes during the listing period, the seller should ensure that the change is properly documented and reflected in authorised advertisements.

Brokerage commission

The agreement should clearly state the commission rate or amount and the circumstances in which it becomes payable.

Dubai does not apply one universal commission percentage to every property sale. Commission is a commercial term agreed between the relevant parties.

Before signing, the seller should understand:

The commission rate or fixed amount
Whether VAT applies
When the commission becomes due
Whether commission remains payable if the seller finds the buyer
Whether commission is protected after Form A expires
What happens if the transaction is cancelled
Whether additional marketing expenses are chargeable

These details should not be left to verbal discussions.

Contract period

Form A should have a defined start date and expiry date.

A longer appointment may give the broker more time to run a complete marketing campaign. A shorter appointment gives the seller an earlier opportunity to assess performance. The appropriate period depends on the property, its pricing and the agreed marketing strategy.

Special conditions

Additional terms may cover photography, property access, viewing arrangements, keys, advertising expenses or communication procedures.

Sellers should read these conditions carefully because they may create obligations beyond basic property marketing.

Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Form A Agreements

One of the most important decisions is whether Form A will be exclusive or non-exclusive.

Exclusive Form A

An exclusive agreement appoints one broker or brokerage to represent the owner during the agreed period.

Under an exclusive appointment, the property should not be offered through multiple competing brokers. The owner may also be required to pay the appointed broker if the property is sold during the exclusive period, including in circumstances described by the contract.

Potential advantages include:

One coordinated marketing strategy
Consistent property information
Clear responsibility for enquiries and viewings
Better control over photographs and advertising
Fewer duplicate listings
A single point of contact

However, exclusivity should only be granted after the owner has reviewed the broker’s experience, proposed marketing plan and reporting process.

Non-exclusive Form A

A non-exclusive agreement may allow the owner to appoint more than one broker.

This can increase the number of agents promoting the property, but it can also create duplicate listings, inconsistent prices and confusion over which broker introduced a buyer.

When using multiple brokers, the owner should keep the asking price, property details and availability consistent. The seller should also maintain clear records of buyer introductions to reduce the risk of commission disputes.

Does Form A Allow the Broker to Advertise the Property?

Form A provides the contractual foundation for the broker to market the property, but it is not itself the advertising permit.

The brokerage must follow the applicable Dubai Land Department and RERA advertising procedures. A marketing contract with the property owner is required for numerous advertising permit categories, including online advertisements, printed advertisements, billboards, promotional campaigns and open-house events.

Approved real estate advertisements should display the required permit information and Madmoun QR code. Prospective buyers can scan the QR code to check the advertisement’s authenticity and authorised property details.

Sellers should review live advertisements to confirm that the price, photographs, property status and specifications are accurate.

How Is Form A Created?

Form A is generally created electronically through the systems available to registered brokers.

A typical process involves:

The seller appointing a licensed broker.
The broker collecting the required ownership and identification information.
The broker entering the owner, property and appointment details electronically.
The parties reviewing the price, commission, duration and special conditions.
The owner approving or signing the agreement through the applicable electronic process.
The broker using the approved contract to support the required marketing permits.
The property being advertised with valid permit information.

The seller should retain a final copy of the approved agreement.

What Documents May Be Needed?

Requirements can vary according to the property, ownership structure and authority of the person signing. A broker may request:

Emirates ID or passport
Title deed or official ownership information
Contact details of the owner
Power of attorney where a representative is acting
Details of any existing mortgage
Information about an existing tenancy
Company documents where the property is company-owned

Providing documents to a broker does not remove the owner’s responsibility to review the completed agreement before approving it.

Does Form A Give the Broker Power to Sell the Property?

No. Form A appoints the broker to perform the brokerage and marketing activities described in the agreement.

It does not transfer ownership to the broker. It also does not normally allow the broker to sign the final sale agreement, transfer the property or receive the sale proceeds on the owner’s behalf unless separate, valid legal authority exists.

A power of attorney is a different document. If the owner wants another person to sign transaction documents or complete the transfer, the power of attorney must provide the necessary authority and meet the applicable legal requirements.

Is Form A the Same as Form F?

No. Form A and Form F serve different purposes.

Document	Main parties	Main purpose
Form A	Seller and broker	Appoints the broker to market and represent the seller
Form B	Buyer and broker	Appoints the broker to represent the buyer
Form F	Seller and buyer	Records the agreed terms of a resale transaction

Form A normally appears at the beginning of the seller’s journey. Form F is created after a buyer and seller agree on the transaction’s essential terms.

Is Form A a Sales Contract?

Form A is not the final property sale agreement and does not transfer legal ownership.

Signing it means that the seller has appointed a broker under specified terms. A separate agreement between the seller and buyer is required once an offer is accepted.

The property remains legally owned by the seller until the sale is officially registered and the ownership transfer is completed through the appropriate Dubai Land Department process.

Does the Seller Pay a Deposit When Signing Form A?

A seller does not normally pay a property purchase deposit simply for signing Form A.

The document concerns brokerage and marketing. A purchase deposit generally becomes relevant after a buyer and seller agree on a transaction and execute the appropriate buyer-seller contract.

However, the seller should check whether Form A contains any separate charges for professional photography, portal upgrades, advertising campaigns or other marketing services.

When Is the Broker’s Commission Payable?

Commission entitlement depends on the written agreement, the broker’s role and the circumstances of the completed or interrupted transaction.

Sellers should not assume that commission is payable only when the title deed changes hands. Some contracts may contain provisions addressing an introduced buyer, a seller’s withdrawal, an exclusive appointment or a transaction completed shortly after the listing expires.

The agreement should be reviewed before signing so both parties understand when commission is earned and payable.

Can Form A Be Cancelled?

Cancellation depends on the terms of the agreement and the applicable electronic procedures.

The seller should not assume that an exclusive contract can be cancelled immediately without consequence. Before requesting cancellation, review:

The expiry date
The cancellation clause
Any required notice
Marketing costs already incurred
Commission protection provisions
Buyers already introduced by the broker
Outstanding offers or negotiations

Any cancellation or amendment should be documented. The seller should obtain confirmation that the contract and related listings have been cancelled or updated through the appropriate channels.

If the agreement is close to expiry, the parties may choose not to renew it instead of terminating it early.

What Should Sellers Check Before Signing Form A?

Owners should complete the following checks before approving the agreement.

Verify the broker

Confirm that the individual holds a valid broker card and works through a licensed real estate brokerage.

Check the property information

Compare the unit number, project, size and ownership information with the title deed and official property records.

Confirm the asking price

Make sure the recorded marketing price reflects the agreed pricing strategy. Do not sign a form with an inflated or reduced price that you have not approved.

Understand exclusivity

Check whether the agreement is exclusive or non-exclusive. If it is exclusive, understand whether you may appoint another broker or sell directly during the contract period.

Review the commission clause

Confirm the commission rate, VAT treatment, payment timing and circumstances that could create commission liability.

Examine the contract period

Ensure the start and expiry dates are acceptable. Ask how renewal will work and whether it requires fresh approval.

Read the additional terms

Pay attention to clauses covering photography, keys, viewing access, advertising costs, cancellation and buyers introduced during the appointment.

Keep a copy

Retain the final electronic version, supporting correspondence and any written amendments.

Common Form A Mistakes to Avoid

Sellers can reduce risk by avoiding several common mistakes:

Signing before verifying the broker’s licence
Approving a blank or incomplete agreement
Failing to notice an exclusivity clause
Relying on verbal promises about commission
Allowing different brokers to advertise different prices
Providing keys without a documented handover process
Ignoring cancellation or post-expiry commission terms
Assuming Form A transfers ownership
Signing more than one exclusive agreement
Failing to remove expired or unauthorised advertisements

A few minutes spent reviewing the agreement can prevent confusion later in the transaction.

Form A Frequently Asked Questions

Is Form A mandatory in Dubai?

A regulated marketing agreement is required when a licensed broker is formally appointed to market a property, and a marketing contract with the owner is required for several types of real estate advertising permits.

Can an owner appoint multiple brokers?

An owner may appoint multiple brokers under non-exclusive arrangements. If an exclusive contract is in place, the property should not be offered through another broker during that appointment.

Can the asking price be changed?

Yes, but the seller should approve the change and ensure the contract and permitted advertisements are updated where required.

Does Form A guarantee that the property will sell?

No. It authorises the broker to market the property under agreed terms, but it does not guarantee a buyer, selling price or completion date.

Can Form A be signed electronically?

Dubai’s brokerage contracts are handled through electronic systems available to the relevant market participants. Sellers should receive and retain the completed electronic agreement.

Can the broker accept an offer without the seller?

A broker may communicate and negotiate offers within the scope of the appointment, but the seller must approve the sale terms. Form A alone does not give the broker ownership of the property or unrestricted authority to complete the sale.

What happens after the broker finds a buyer?

The broker presents the offer to the seller. If the parties agree on the price and conditions, the transaction moves to the buyer-seller agreement, commonly known as Form F, followed by the required NOC, payment and ownership-transfer procedures.

Final Thoughts

Form A is more than a routine listing document. It determines who may represent the seller, how the property will be marketed, how long the appointment will last and when the broker may become entitled to commission.

Before signing, sellers should verify the broker, confirm every property detail and understand whether the appointment is exclusive. Commission, cancellation, marketing costs and additional conditions should always be recorded clearly.

HAMZ helps Dubai property owners evaluate their selling options, understand the transaction documents and work with verified professionals throughout the sales process.

What Is Form A in Dubai Real Estate? Seller’s Guide