Land: how to choose a plot for building, farming or lease
It all starts with the permitted use
The main thing to know about land is what it may be used for. A plot for building, for gardening or for farming are different categories with different rules, and they cannot always be changed. So the question “how big is it” is secondary to the question “what is allowed here”.
A guide for your search: building plots, agricultural land and farm plots, general land for sale and land for rent.
What to check before buying
- Survey number and land-use category — they confirm what kind of plot it is.
- Rights to the land — ownership or lease, and no claims against it.
- Boundaries — whether they are marked on the ground and there are no disputes with neighbours.
- Utilities and access — power, water and gas nearby or to be brought in; whether there is a road in the rainy season.
- Restrictions — protected zones along power lines and water bodies, forest nearby.
It is worth checking all this with a property lawyer who knows land law, because a mistake is costly.
If you plan to build, find out before buying whether you can get a building permit on this plot and what setbacks from the boundaries are needed. Ask the owner whether zoning papers and a land survey exist, and whether any industrial unit or highway is planned nearby.
What to put in your request
- Buy or lease and for how long.
- Purpose — building, garden, farming, a plot for business.
- Size — in sq yards, acres or hectares.
- Place — state, district, distance to the city or the highway.
- Utilities — what is already connected or nearby.
- Shape and terrain — level, rectangular, sloping.
- Documents — survey number, a document proving ownership.
- Budget, if you want to name one.
Example: “Looking for a plot for a private house near Dubai, 200–300 sq yards, residential use permitted, power on the boundary, a paved road. Budget up to AED 130,000.”
How to compare offers
The price per sq yard says little without context. Compare the permitted use, the documents, the utilities and the distance to the city. A cheap plot without power and a road can easily become more expensive than another after the networks are laid. For a lease, look at the term of the agreement, the amount of the payment and how it is reviewed.
On BlaBlaPrice, owners and agents answer your request themselves, compete on terms and see where their offer stands. The system shows the offer that is best on the merits first, and contacts open only to the one you choose. Read more on the “How it works” page.
A word about leasing. When you lease land, ask about the term and the way you pay: how much, once a year or every month. Find out whether you may build on the plot and what happens to the buildings when the agreement ends. All of this should be in a written agreement, not just spoken.
If you are taking agricultural land, look at the soil quality, the water supply and access for machinery. Rules on who may buy farmland differ from region to region, so without a lawyer it is better not to act here.
Common mistakes
Buying from photos and a listing without visiting the plot. Not checking the boundaries and the survey number. Underestimating the cost of bringing in power, water and a road. Trusting verbal promises about a “change of use” — that is a separate procedure, which is better discussed with a specialist.
