Three checks before you buy an apartment in Dubai

Apartments are the most common first step onto the Dubai property ladder, but they come with questions a villa does not.

First, check the service charges. Ask for the latest invoice, compare the rate per square foot with the official index and make sure the seller has paid everything up to date. Unpaid charges can delay the transfer.

Second, read the building rules. Some towers limit holiday letting, renovations or the number of parking bays per unit. If you plan to rent the flat out, confirm what the owners' association allows.

Third, check the paperwork. For a ready apartment, the seller should hold a title deed and obtain a no-objection certificate from the developer. For off-plan, ask for the Oqood registration and the payment schedule.

With those answers in hand, you can compare apartments fairly and make an offer with confidence.