Every year, thousands of Indians research Dubai property. Most of them don’t buy — not because the investment isn’t solid, but because nobody explains the process from the India side. The FEMA rules, the money transfer, the tax implications back home, the documents you prepare before you even land in Dubai — this information is scattered across YouTube videos, broker pitches, and legal forums, none of which agree with each other.
Here is the straightforward answer to the question you actually came here to ask: Yes, Indians can legally buy property in Dubai. As a resident Indian or NRI, you can purchase freehold property in designated Dubai areas under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006. There is zero capital gains tax in Dubai, no inheritance tax, and the UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar — giving your investment currency stability that INR-denominated assets simply cannot offer.
But the difference between a smooth purchase and a compliance nightmare comes down to one thing: having a guide who understands both the Dubai side and the India side.
Can Indians Buy Property in Dubai? The Legal Short Answer
Yes — and the rules are clearer than most people think. Under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 and subsequent amendments, foreign nationals including Indian citizens are permitted to purchase freehold property in designated freehold zones across Dubai. You own the property outright. Your name is on the title deed. You can rent it, sell it, or pass it to your family.
What Does ‘Freehold’ Mean for Indian Buyers?
Freehold ownership means you own the property and the land it sits on — permanently, with full legal title. This is different from a leasehold arrangement, where you pay for the right to occupy a property for a fixed period (typically 99 years) without owning the land itself. In Dubai, the most sought-after investment areas — Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, JVC, Dubai Hills Estate, Business Bay — are all freehold zones. Your title deed is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and is legally enforceable under UAE law.
Who Regulates Dubai Property? Understanding DLD and RERA
Dubai Land Department (DLD): The government authority that registers all property transactions in Dubai. Every legal property transfer ends with DLD issuing a title deed. The 4% DLD registration fee is paid to this authority.
Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA): The regulatory arm of DLD that licenses developers, registers brokers, and — critically for off-plan buyers — mandates that developers hold project funds in a government-supervised escrow account. This escrow requirement is one of the most important buyer protections in Dubai real estate — funds cannot be diverted by a developer for non-project expenses. It is the structural safeguard that Indian buyers used to the RERA-struggle of the Indian market will immediately appreciate.
| Quick FactYou do NOT need a UAE visa or UAE residency to purchase property in Dubai. Ownership of property valued at AED 7,50,000 (≈ ₹1.76 Cr) or more may qualify you for a UAE investor visa — but it is not a prerequisite for buying. |
FEMA & RBI Rules: Is Buying Dubai Property Legal for Indians?
This is the section most Indian buyers need before they can feel comfortable moving forward. The short answer is: yes, it is fully legal — and the process is well-defined. But there are rules you must follow, and ignoring them creates problems on the way back (repatriation) even if the purchase goes smoothly.
What FEMA Says About Buying Property Abroad
The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), specifically Section 6(4), permits Indian residents to acquire and hold immovable property outside India if it was acquired when the person was a non-resident, or if it was purchased through foreign exchange remitted through proper banking channels under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). The RBI’s Master Direction on Liberalised Remittance Scheme (updated periodically) is the governing document. The key point: purchasing abroad via LRS is explicitly permitted. It is not a grey area.
RBI Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS): The ₹2 Crore Question
The LRS allows any Indian resident individual to remit up to USD 2,50,000 (approximately ₹2.08 Cr at current rates) per financial year (April–March) for permitted capital account transactions, which includes purchase of immovable property abroad. A few important mechanics Indian buyers must understand:
- The $2,50,000 limit is per individual per financial year. A husband and wife buying jointly can together remit $5,00,000/year.
- You can spread a large purchase across multiple financial years. A ₹3 Cr purchase can be remitted in tranches — ₹2 Cr in Year 1, ₹1 Cr in Year 2.
- All LRS utilisation is tracked by your Authorised Dealer (AD) Bank — i.e., any RBI-authorised Indian bank. The bank is responsible for filing the LRS transaction with RBI.
- Purpose of remittance on Form A2 must state: ‘Purchase of immovable property abroad under LRS.’ Use the exact language. Ambiguous purpose codes cause delays.
The Form A2 Process: Step-by-Step at Your Indian Bank
Most competitors skip this section entirely — but this is where Indian buyers actually get stuck. Here is the India-bank process:
1 Approach your AD Bank (any major Indian bank — HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis, Kotak).
Request the LRS remittance form (Form A2). Inform the relationship manager this is for foreign property purchase under LRS.
2 Gather your documents.
You’ll need: valid passport, PAN card, last 2 years’ ITR, 6 months’ bank statements, a copy of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) from Dubai, and a declaration letter on source of funds.
3 Complete Form A2.
Purpose code: S0006 (purchase of immovable property outside India). Beneficiary: developer’s RERA-registered escrow account or seller’s UAE bank account.
4 Bank conducts KYC and FEMA compliance review.
This typically takes 2–5 business days. Large remittances ($100K+) may require additional documentation. Work with a bank relationship manager you know.
5 SWIFT transfer executed.
Keep the SWIFT MT103 receipt permanently. This document is mandatory proof when you later repatriate rental income or sale proceeds back to India.
Three Things You Cannot Do (The Red Lines)
The FEMA framework has clear prohibitions Indian buyers must respect:
- You cannot fund a Dubai property purchase using an informal channel (hawala). Any undeclared remittance creates serious legal exposure under FEMA.
- You cannot use an NRI’s bank account (a relative, for example) to route your purchase. The remittance must originate from your own account.
- You cannot take an Indian bank loan and use those proceeds for a foreign property purchase. RBI does not permit Indian-sourced credit to fund overseas immovable property.
Tax Back in India: What You Must Declare
For resident Indians (not NRIs): rental income received from your Dubai property must be declared under your global income in your Indian ITR (Schedule FSI — Foreign Source Income). The India-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) prevents you from being taxed twice — since Dubai levies zero income tax, the DTAA effectively means no double taxation burden. However, declaration is mandatory regardless.
Schedule FA (Foreign Assets): Indian residents must also disclose the Dubai property in Schedule FA of their annual ITR. Non-disclosure of foreign assets is a Black Money Act violation — penalties are significant. This is a one-form disclosure, not a tax payment — but it must be done.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy Property in Dubai from India
Below is the complete 9-step process, written specifically for Indian buyers — covering both what happens in Dubai and what you manage from India. This is the process Januss Developers walks every NRI client through.
STEP 1 Define Your Budget in INR — Not Just AED
Start with your LRS headroom for the current and next financial year. A ₹1.5–2 Cr budget (approximately AED 6.5–8.5L) gets you a solid 1BHK in JVC, Dubai Hills, or Business Bay. Involve your AD Bank early — some banks take 2 weeks to process large outward remittances, and you don’t want this to delay your booking.
STEP 2 Choose: Off-Plan or Ready Property?
Off-plan (under construction) means lower entry price, staged payment over 2–3 years, and higher potential appreciation. Ready property means immediate rental income and no construction risk. (See Section 5 for a full comparison.) Most first-time Indian buyers benefit from off-plan because the payment plan aligns naturally with LRS annual limits.
STEP 3 Select Freehold Area and Shortlist 3–5 Projects
Work with a RERA-registered broker or a specialist like Januss Developers who has direct developer relationships. Ask for: the RERA project registration number, the escrow account details, and the developer’s track record on delivery timelines. Do not buy from a developer who cannot provide these three things.
STEP 4 Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) / Booking Deposit
Typically AED 5,000–50,000 depending on project. This can be paid remotely via SWIFT transfer from India — you do not need to travel to Dubai at this stage. The EOI locks your unit. Get a receipt on developer letterhead.
STEP 5 Sign Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA)
The SPA is the primary legal document. It defines the property, the payment schedule, the handover date, and the penalty clauses for delays (on both sides). Have a UAE-qualified property lawyer review it before signing — Januss Developers has legal tie-ups to facilitate this. Understand your payment milestones before committing.
STEP 6 Remit Funds from India via LRS
Execute your SWIFT transfer from India following the Form A2 process outlined in Section 2. Funds go directly to the developer’s RERA-mandated escrow account — not to a broker or individual. Keep every SWIFT MT103 receipt. These are your proof of legal remittance and are mandatory for repatriation later.
STEP 7 Developer NOC (For Resale Property Only)
If you’re buying a ready resale property, the existing owner’s developer must issue a No-Objection Certificate confirming no outstanding dues. This typically takes 5–10 business days and costs AED 500–5,000 depending on the developer. Off-plan purchases from a developer directly skip this step.
STEP 8 DLD Registration and Title Deed Issuance
This is the formal ownership transfer. You (or your POA representative) attend a Dubai Land Department registration trustee office. The 4% DLD transfer fee is paid. DLD issues the title deed in your name. This is the document that proves you legally own the property. The entire registration process takes 2–4 hours.
STEP 9 Post-Purchase Setup
Register your rental listing with RERA (Ejari system) if you plan to rent out. Set up your UAE bank account for rental income routing to your Indian NRE account. Obtain a breakdown of annual service charges from the developer or Owners Association. Brief Januss Developers’ property management team if you want hands-off rental management from India.
True Cost Breakdown: What Does Dubai Property Actually Cost an Indian Buyer?
Most Dubai property guides quote prices in AED. That number means nothing until you see it in rupees. Below is the complete cost breakdown for a typical 1BHK purchase in Dubai Hills Estate (AED 8,00,000 — a realistic mid-market entry point for Indian buyers in 2026), with every cost in both AED and INR equivalent at 1 AED = ₹23.5.
| Cost Component | AED Amount | INR Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Price (1BHK, Dubai Hills Estate) | AED 8,00,000 | ₹1,88,00,000 | Market range for 1BHK in freehold areas: AED 5L–14L depending on area |
| DLD Registration Fee (4%) | AED 32,000 | ₹7,52,000 | Non-negotiable. Paid to Dubai Land Department at registration. Cannot be waived. |
| Real Estate Agent Commission (2%) | AED 16,000 | ₹3,76,000 | Buyer-side. Januss Developers offers zero brokerage on select developer-direct projects — confirm on consultation. |
| DLD Registration Trustee Fee | AED 4,000 | ₹94,000 | Fixed government fee payable at the registration trustee office. |
| Developer NOC Fee (resale only) | AED 500–5,000 | ₹11,750–₹1,17,500 | Applicable on resale property only. Off-plan developer purchases: NIL. |
| Mortgage Processing Fee (if financed) | AED 8,000–16,000 | ₹1,88,000–₹3,76,000 | 1–2% of loan value. Skip if cash buyer. NRIs eligible for 50–75% LTV with UAE banks. |
| Property Valuation Fee (if mortgage) | AED 2,500–3,500 | ₹58,750–₹82,250 | Required by UAE mortgage bank. Skip if cash buyer. |
| Annual Service Charges (ongoing) | AED 14,000–18,000/yr | ₹3,29,000–₹4,23,000/yr | Approx. 1.5–2% of property value per year. Covers building maintenance, security, common areas. |
| TOTAL ONE-TIME COST (cash purchase) | ≈ AED 8,52,000 | ≈ ₹2,00,22,000 | Excludes mortgage costs. Includes DLD fee + agent + trustee. ~6.5% over base price. |
Exchange rate note: The UAE Dirham is pegged to the US Dollar at AED 3.67 = USD 1. This peg has been maintained since 1997, giving Indian buyers exceptional currency predictability. At ₹83–84 per USD, 1 AED ≈ ₹22.6–23.5. All INR figures above use ₹23.5 as a conservative estimate.
What about rental ROI? A 1BHK in Dubai Hills Estate rents for approximately AED 80,000–1,10,000 per year (₹18.8–25.9 Lakh). At an AED 8 Lakh purchase price, that’s a gross rental yield of 10–13.75% — before service charges. Net yield after service charges lands at 7–9%, significantly higher than most Indian metro residential property.
Off-Plan vs Ready Property: Which Is Better for Indian Buyers?
This decision depends almost entirely on your goals and your cash flow structure. Here is an honest comparison, framed around the realities of Indian buyers using LRS.
| Factor | Off-Plan Property | Ready Property |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Price | 10–20% below market (launch pricing) | At current market rate |
| Payment Structure | Staged: 10–20% booking, milestones, 30–40% on handover | Full payment or mortgage upfront |
| LRS Fit | ✓ Ideal — spread remittances over 2–3 financial years within $250K/year limit | ✗ Requires large one-time remittance; may strain LRS headroom |
| Rental Income | ✗ No rental income until handover (1–3 years away) | ✓ Rental income starts immediately after purchase |
| Capital Appreciation Potential | Higher — buy at pre-launch price, gain at completion price | Moderate — appreciation from market movement only |
| Developer Risk | Present — mitigated by RERA-mandated escrow (funds protected) | None — property already exists |
| Complexity | Moderate — need to track payment milestones and construction updates | Lower — straightforward transaction |
| Best For NRIs Who… | Want payment flexibility and maximum appreciation over 5–7 years | Want immediate yield and simplicity from Day 1 |
A note on RERA escrow protection: Indian buyers who’ve experienced project delays or builder fraud in India often carry that anxiety into their Dubai research. The RERA escrow requirement means that every rupee you remit for an off-plan purchase sits in a government-supervised escrow account — inaccessible to the developer for purposes other than construction milestones approved by RERA. It is not a perfect system, but it is structurally far more protective than most Indian states’ RERA equivalents.
Best Areas to Buy Property in Dubai for NRIs (2026 Guide)
The ‘best area’ depends entirely on your investment objective. Here is a practical area guide built specifically for Indian buyers — with starting prices in INR, typical rental yields, and an honest NRI-specific note for each zone.
| Area | Starting Price (1BHK) | Gross Rental Yield | Best For | NRI Investor Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) | AED 5–8L (₹1.17–1.88 Cr) | 7–9% | High yield on budget entry | Most popular first-time NRI choice. High tenant demand, strong secondary market, very liquid. |
| Dubai Marina | AED 9–14L (₹2.11–3.29 Cr) | 5.5–7% | Lifestyle + short-term rental premium | Strong Indian buyer community. Established area with excellent short-term (Airbnb-type) rental potential. |
| Business Bay | AED 8–13L (₹1.88–3.05 Cr) | 6–7.5% | Corporate tenant base + appreciation | Adjacent to Downtown. Strong for long-term hold. Corporate tenants, lower vacancy risk. |
| Dubai Hills Estate | AED 7–12L (₹1.64–2.82 Cr) | 5.5–7% | Family living + tenant stability | Emaar-branded community. Reassuring for NRIs who want a reputed developer. Long-term family tenants. |
| Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa Area | AED 14L+ (₹3.29 Cr+) | 4–5.5% | Prestige asset + long-term appreciation | Lower yield but maximum brand value. Ideal for HNI buyers with 10+ year horizon. |
| Dubai South / Expo City | AED 4–7L (₹94K–1.64 Cr) | 7–9% | Long-term growth, lowest entry | Emerging area with strong government infrastructure investment. Januss has direct inventory here. |
| Palm Jumeirah | AED 25L+ (₹5.87 Cr+) | 4–6% | Ultra-premium / short-term luxury rental | Iconic address. Strong short-term rental rates. HNI and ultra-HNI profile. High maintenance costs. |
For most Indian buyers with a ₹1.5–3 Cr budget and a 5–7 year investment horizon, JVC, Business Bay, and Dubai Hills Estate offer the best balance of yield, liquidity, and capital appreciation. Januss Developers maintains active inventory across all major freehold zones — we can share a current project list on a consultation call.
Is Buying Property in Dubai Right for You? — Quick Decision Checklist
Dubai property is not the right investment for every Indian buyer — and any advisor who tells you otherwise is selling, not advising. Use this checklist to self-assess honestly before booking a call.
✅ Green Flags — Dubai property likely suits you if:
- Your available LRS headroom is USD 1,00,000 or more — or you can spread the purchase across two financial years.
- You want to earn rental income in AED (USD-pegged), diversifying away from INR volatility.
- You have a minimum 5-year investment horizon and are not dependent on liquidity from this capital.
- You want zero capital gains tax on property profits and zero inheritance tax — legally structured through Dubai ownership.
- You’re comfortable with remote property management, or want to hand it to a professional management firm.
- You’ve already maximised Indian real estate exposure and want international portfolio diversification.
🚫 Yellow Flags — Think twice if:
- You need access to this capital within the next 2 years — Dubai property is illiquid in the short term.
- You’ve already used most of your LRS limit this financial year and cannot sustain a multi-year payment plan.
- You’re expecting a quick flip — Dubai off-plan is a 3–7 year capital appreciation play, not a 12-month speculation.
- Your primary source of research so far is unverified broker content on YouTube or WhatsApp. That content is optimistic by design.
Sending Money from India to Dubai: The Complete LRS Process
This is the part no Dubai real estate website properly explains — the India-side process of moving your money legally. Get this right and everything downstream (rental repatriation, sale proceeds return) becomes straightforward. Get it wrong and you create problems that no Dubai broker can solve.
The LRS Limit and How to Use It Strategically
The RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme allows each Indian resident to remit up to USD 2,50,000 (approximately ₹2.08 Cr) per financial year (April 1 – March 31) for overseas property purchase. If you are purchasing jointly with your spouse, you can combine for USD 5,00,000/year. For larger purchases, simply plan across financial years — a ₹4 Cr purchase can be remitted as ₹2 Cr in FY2025–26 and ₹2 Cr in FY2026–27, aligned with your payment milestones.
Can You Use a Home Loan from India to Fund the Purchase?
No. RBI does not permit Indian bank credit (home loans, personal loans, or any INR borrowing) to be used for purchasing foreign immovable property. The remittance must come from your own savings, existing foreign income, or your NRE/FCNR account. However, UAE-based banks and some international banks do offer mortgages to NRIs for Dubai property — typically at 50–75% LTV. Januss Developers can connect you with mortgage advisors in Dubai who specialise in Indian buyer profiles.
Repatriation: Getting Your Rental Income and Sale Proceeds Back to India
The most common fear among Indian buyers: ‘What if I want to sell and bring the money back?’ The good news is that repatriation is completely legal — provided you built the paper trail correctly from Day 1.
Repatriating Rental Income
Rental income earned in Dubai can be routed back to India through one of two paths:
- NRE Account (Non-Resident External): Fully repatriable. No Indian tax on interest. Route rental income from your UAE bank account to your Indian NRE account via SWIFT. Keep bank statements showing the transfer for ITR filing.
- NRO Account (Non-Resident Ordinary): Usable but less optimal. Subject to 30% TDS in India. Partially repatriable (up to USD 1M per year after taxes). Better suited to NRIs who already hold an NRO account for other purposes.
For resident Indians (not NRIs), rental income from Dubai must be declared as foreign source income in your ITR (Schedule FSI). The India-UAE DTAA ensures you do not pay tax twice — since Dubai levies zero tax on rental income.
Repatriating Sale Proceeds
When you sell your Dubai property and want the money back in India, you can repatriate the sale proceeds subject to the following conditions:
- The amount repatriated cannot exceed the original amount you remitted from India (plus documented improvement costs).
- The SWIFT receipts from your original remittances are the documentary proof of how much you can repatriate — this is why we emphasise keeping MT103 receipts from Day 1.
- The India-UAE DTAA applies: since Dubai levies no capital gains tax, there is no double taxation issue. You will need to report the capital gain in India under Schedule FSI of your ITR.
- If you’ve held the property for more than 2 years, long-term capital gains treatment applies in India (currently 12.5% without indexation or 20% with indexation for FY2024–25 — confirm with your CA for current rates).
Documents Required: India Side and Dubai Side
There are two sets of documents to prepare: what you arrange in India before remitting funds, and what is needed at the Dubai end for registration. Here is the complete list.
| Documents — India Side (Prepare Before Remittance) | Documents — Dubai Side (At Purchase & Registration) |
|---|---|
| Valid Indian Passport (and attested copy) | Original Passport (for DLD identity verification) |
| PAN Card (mandatory for LRS) | Signed Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) |
| Last 2 years’ Income Tax Returns (ITR) | Developer NOC — for resale property only |
| 6 months’ bank statements | SWIFT MT103 receipts (proof of funds remittance from India) |
| Form A2 completed at AD Bank | DLD e-Transfer form (Muzara’a) — prepared at trustee office |
| Source of Funds declaration letter | Title Deed (DLD-issued after registration — keep original) |
| KYC documents as required by your AD Bank | Power of Attorney (apostilled) — if buying remotely without travel |
| Copy of SPA (provided to bank for Form A2 processing) | UAE Bank Account details for rental income routing |
Buying remotely via POA: If you are purchasing from India without travelling to Dubai, a Power of Attorney (POA) notarised in India and apostilled at the UAE Consulate authorises brokers.developers to execute the DLD registration on your behalf. The POA is a standard document. You sign it in India,they handle the Dubai paperwork. You receive your title deed by courier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a salaried Indian employee (not an NRI) buy property in Dubai?
Yes. A resident Indian salaried individual can purchase property in Dubai using the RBI LRS scheme (up to USD 2,50,000/year). There is no requirement to be an NRI. You declare the purchase in your ITR under Schedule FA and report rental income under Schedule FSI.
Do I need a Dubai visa or UAE residency to buy property?
No. A Dubai tourist visa (or visa-free entry for Indian passport holders for 30 days effective 2024) is sufficient for visiting and signing documents in Dubai. You do not need residency to own property. However, owning property valued at AED 7,50,000 or more may qualify you to apply for a UAE investor visa separately.
Can I get a UAE Golden Visa through property investment?
Yes. Purchasing property worth AED 20,00,000 (approximately ₹4.7 Cr) or more in a completed freehold property qualifies you for the UAE 10-Year Golden Visa. Off-plan property counts only after handover and title deed issuance. Golden Visa confers UAE residency for 10 years (renewable) — but it does not affect your Indian citizenship or NRI/resident status.
What is the minimum investment to buy property in Dubai as an Indian?
Technically, there is no minimum for ownership. However, properties below AED 5,00,000 (≈ ₹1.17 Cr) are rare in established freehold areas and tend to be studios with lower yield potential. Realistic entry for a 1BHK in a quality freehold community starts at AED 5,50,000–6,50,000 (₹1.29–1.53 Cr).
Do I pay income tax in India on rental income from my Dubai property?
If you are a resident Indian, yes — Dubai rental income must be declared as foreign source income (Schedule FSI) in your ITR. However, the India-UAE DTAA prevents double taxation. Since Dubai levies zero income tax on rental income, you will not face tax in both countries. Consult your CA for the exact computation applicable to your tax slab.
Can I buy Dubai property jointly with my spouse?
Yes — and it is often strategically smart. Joint purchase doubles your LRS headroom to USD 5,00,000/year, making large purchases easier to remit within a single financial year. Both names appear on the title deed. Both co-owners must file Schedule FA disclosures in their respective ITRs.
How long does the Dubai property purchase process take?
For a ready resale property: 4–6 weeks from offer acceptance to title deed. For off-plan (new developer launch): 2–3 weeks to SPA signing; title deed issued only at handover (1–3 years). The India-side remittance (Form A2 + SWIFT) adds 5–10 business days to the timeline if not prepared in advance.
Is my money safe in an off-plan purchase? What if the developer delays?
All off-plan projects registered with RERA must hold buyer funds in a government-supervised escrow account. Funds are released to the developer only as construction milestones are verified and approved by RERA inspectors. If a developer is liquidated or the project is cancelled, buyers are entitled to a full refund from the escrow — this is legally mandated. Choose RERA-registered projects only, and verify the project registration number on the DLD website before paying any booking deposit.
The Bottom Line: Dubai Property Is a Real Opportunity for Indian Buyers — With the Right Guide
Buying property in Dubai from India is not complicated. It is legal, it is financially compelling, and for most Indian buyers the single biggest barrier is not money — it is information.
The confusion around FEMA compliance, LRS mechanics, fund repatriation, and India-side documentation has kept thousands of well-qualified Indian investors on the sideline while Dubai’s freehold property market has delivered 6–9% rental yields and consistent capital appreciation.
The two concerns that matter most — ‘Is this legal?’ and ‘Can I get my money back?’ — both have clear, positive answers when you follow the correct process. The FEMA framework permits it. The LRS scheme enables it. The India-UAE DTAA protects you from double taxation. RERA’s escrow mandate protects your off-plan investment.