The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority launched a new digital platform on its app to facilitate land and home exchanges among Emirati citizens.

The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority has introduced significant updates to the services allowing citizens to exchange land and homes within the emirate. These updates are accessible via the "Abu Dhabi Housing" application, streamlining access to the authority’s offerings.

Among these advancements is a new service enabling governmental housing swaps between citizens in Abu Dhabi. A digital platform on the "Abu Dhabi Housing" app now allows citizens interested in exchanging properties to showcase their assets-be it homes or land. This initiative provides an opportunity for users to select suitable properties according to their social needs, thereby fostering closer family ties among citizens.

A statement from the authority highlighted that these updates empower citizens with three options for exchanging assets through the app: mutual agreement between two agreeing parties, searching for suitable offers on the platform, or submitting requests to utilize available government inventory.

Hamad Harib Al-Muhairi, Director General of the authority, stated, "The exchange services have been fundamentally enhanced to meet expectations of citizens wishing to swap their lands or homes in Abu Dhabi. Through an entirely digital experience, this platform ensures they can showcase their assets and explore others available for exchange. Detailed property information-including location, size, and infrastructure readiness-is provided so individuals can choose options best suited to their family needs. Subsequently, they can submit exchange requests via the application and continue through a transparent digital process without leaving home."

He added that efforts are underway to provide smart solutions and initiatives encouraging citizens who have received land grants but have not activated loans or started construction. The authority aims for them to commence building and benefit from housing loans within three years per housing benefits policy. In partnership with Taysir, free services are offered for loan program beneficiaries wishing to construct homes-from design selection and contractor engagement up through project completion.

Citizens may apply for land exchanges subject to specific conditions: Lands must be residential, undivided, free of construction except potentially a fence if present; no building impediments should exist besides possible absence of infrastructure services; there should be no legal constraints or third-party rights involved; lands need relocating within geographic limits unless humanitarian or social exceptions apply.

For exchanging government houses: residences must be unoccupied grants eligible for habitation without subdivision; discrepancies between built-up areas shouldn’t exceed 30%, building areas 10%, nor age difference surpass 10 years; no legal hindrances nor rights issues should persist while properties ought remain geographically similar barring exceptional cases.

If financial gain or compensation is proven between either party during exchanges such approvals will be nullified without prejudice toward any criminal civil administrative liabilities arising thereof.