Property is one of the UAE’s busiest industries, and it runs on speed: the agent who answers a portal enquiry in five minutes usually wins the viewing. Behind the scenes it also runs on paperwork, permits and cheques. Good real estate software ties these together.

Core features for agencies

  • Lead capture and CRM. Enquiries from property portals, your website, WhatsApp and calls land in one pipeline with an owner, a status and the next follow-up date.
  • Listings management. Properties with photos, features, owner details, price history and status, ready to publish to your website and portals.
  • Permit tracking. In Dubai, advertisements need a Trakheesi permit number. Keep the permit number, validity and linked listing together so no ad runs without one.
  • Viewings and diary. Book and remind viewings, record feedback and see which properties get attention.
  • Deals and commissions. Track offers, reservations, agent splits and referral commissions, then reconcile against payments received.

Features for property managers and landlords

  • Tenancy contracts. Store contract dates, rent, cheques schedule and registration references such as Ejari in Dubai or Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi.
  • Cheques and rent collection. Post-dated cheques are common. Track deposit dates, bounced cheques and renewals.
  • Renewal reminders. Alert tenants and owners before expiry, with the notice period your contract requires.
  • Maintenance requests. Tenants log issues, you assign vendors and record costs.
  • Service charges and owner statements. Produce clear statements per owner and per unit.

Compliance points to keep visible

Real estate is regulated. Brokers and companies hold registrations and cards with the regulator, advertising needs permits, and off-plan sales involve escrow arrangements and registration with the land department. Your software should help you record these references against the right listing, contract or agent, and warn you when they expire. Because several bodies are involved, ask the vendor which workflows they support instead of assuming.

VAT on property

VAT treatment differs by transaction: residential rent is exempt, commercial rent is standard-rated at 5%, and the first supply of residential property within three years of completion is zero-rated. Your invoices must reflect the right treatment. See our VAT guide.

Reports owners and managers want

  1. Leads by source, with cost per lead and conversion to viewing and deal.
  2. Agent performance: calls, viewings, deals, commission.
  3. Vacancy and renewal pipeline for the next 90 days.
  4. Cheques due and overdue rent.
  5. Owner statements ready to send.

Get it built around your agency

Every brokerage has its own commission rules and approval steps. That is where a customised system beats a generic CRM. See our real estate solutions or tell us your workflow.

Key takeaways

  • Respond to every portal enquiry within minutes: speed wins viewings.
  • Keep permit numbers and expiry dates next to each listing.
  • Store tenancy contract and registration references with each lease.
  • Track post-dated cheques, deposits and renewals in one place.
  • Record commission splits and referral fees against each deal.
  • Report on leads by source, so you know which portals and campaigns pay back.

How Crafts Software can help

We build CRM, listing, tenancy and commission systems for brokerages and property managers, shaped around how your agency works, with WhatsApp follow-ups, owner statements and dashboards for directors.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and thresholds change, so confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or a licensed adviser before you act.

Need software built around how your UAE business really works? Tell us what you need or browse our software and request a demo. We customise, install and support it.