DLD bans property portals from showing ‘unit numbers’, Dubai’s Land Department have instructed property portals of Dubai to pay closer attention to how they advertise units in the secondary market.
The “unit numbers,” which provided information on the transaction history and other details of that specific property, should no longer be identified by the properties being marketed for sale. As per the data, the ownership of those properties was also becoming publicly visible. . By the UAE’s “Personal Data Protection Law,” property portals will no longer be able to use the unit numbers.
The asking prices, the building, the property’s larger location, etc., must be mentioned but strict no to showing units numbers in real estate advertisements. This new rule has been issued after the issuance of a new directive by the Dubai Land Department.
The goal of eliminating unit numbers from secondary market sales promotions is to protect the privacy of personal information. “We welcome the changes by Dubai Land Department with regards to the privacy of the property owner, such that the influence of bad actors is nullified,” said Hanishka Gehani, Director of Zabadani Real Estate.
“At the end of the day, investors trust us with their confidential data. It is our responsibility to live up to that, especially in a data-driven world.
“Plus, customers are increasingly aware of their rights. The onus is on all stakeholders from brokers to developers to outside agencies to ensure these practices are strictly complied with.”
How ‘unit number’ details were misused
Any brokerage firm or other real estate entity could obtain the ownership details from the Land Department records once the unit numbers are displayed.
“So, you had multiple agents calling up the property owner wishing to sell a unit to sign up with them,” said an industry source. “Even if the property owner had already assigned another agent to sell the unit.
“With the removal of unit numbers from ads, a lot of that cold calling will disappear.”
Source: Propertynews
