
Dubai Holding Announces Intention to Float Dubai Residential REIT on the Dubai Financial Market
Dubai Holding, through its wholly owned subsidiary DHAM REIT Management LLC (the “Fund Manager”), today announces its intention to launch an initial public offering (“IPO” or the “Offering”) for Dubai Residential REIT, a Shariah-compliant income-generating closed-ended real estate investment fund under establishment and one of the largest owners and operators of residential real estate in Dubai (the “REIT”), to list its units for trading (the “Units”) on the Dubai Financial Market (“DFM”).
Dubai Residential REIT’s portfolio shall be managed by the Fund Manager pursuant to a fund management agreement between Dubai Residential REIT and the Fund Manager, leveraging its expertise to ensure optimised asset performance and stable returns. The Fund Manager’s role includes, but is not limited to, managing and operating the REIT’s residential assets leasing business, monitoring the financial status, key performance indicators and progress of Dubai Residential REIT’s business and portfolio investments (including procuring semi-annual valuation reports), preparing the REIT’s financial reports for publication and appointing and managing service providers for functions including, but not limited to, facility management and property management.
The REIT benefits from the broader residential ecosystem curated by Dubai Holding, a global investment leader with one of the largest land banks in the Emirate of Dubai.
SUMMARY OF THE OFFERING
- DHAM Investments LLC (the “Selling Unitholder”), a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, is currently the sole unitholder of Dubai Residential REIT and is offering 1,625,000,000 (one billion six hundred and twenty-five million) Units in the Offering.
- The Offering subscription period is expected to run from 13 May 2025 to 20 May 2025 (both days included).
- Admission of Units to trading on the DFM (“Admission”) is anticipated on or around 28 May 2025.
- The Fund Manager reserves the right to amend the size of the Offering at any time prior to the end of the subscription period in its sole discretion, subject to the applicable laws of the UAE and the approval of the SCA.
- The Shariah Supervision Committee of Dubai Residential REIT has issued a fatwa confirming that, in its view, both the REIT and the Offering are compliant with Shariah principles. The Internal Shariah Supervision Committee of Emirates NBD Bank PJSC has issued a fatwa confirming that, in its view, the Offering is compliant with Shariah principles.
SUMMARY OF DIVIDEND POLICY
- Subject to the REIT Board’s approval and other provisions of the UAE prospectus (the “Prospectus”) published today concurrently with this press release, Dubai Residential REIT intends to adopt a semi-annual dividend distribution policy, making payments in April and September of each year, starting from September 2025.
- The REIT expects that the sum of its first two dividend payments, expected to be made in September 2025 and April 2026, will be the higher of: (i) AED 1,100 million; and (ii) an amount equal to 80% of profit for the period before changes in fair value of investment property, in respect of its financial results for the year ending 31 December 2025, subject at all times to Board approval.
- In respect of the financial results for the year ending 31 December 2026 and thereafter, Dubai Residential REIT intends to distribute at least 80% of profit for the period before changes in fair value of investment property for each accounting period, subject to Board approval.
SUMMARY OF DUBAI RESIDENTIAL REIT’S INVESTMENT PROPOSITION
- Dubai Residential REIT is the GCC’s first pure-play listed residential leasing-focused REIT and, at the time of listing, is also expected to be the GCC’s largest listed REIT, with a gross asset value (“GAV”) of AED 21.63 billion, almost double the combined GAV of the five largest REITs in the region.
- The REIT manages 35,700 residential units strategically positioned in key catchment areas across Dubai, making it one of the largest residential real estate owners and operators in Dubai and the benchmark for residential real estate in the Emirate.
- Dubai Residential REIT includes a diversified portfolio spread across multiple locations, property types and price segments (comprising Premium, Community, Affordable and Corporate Housing) through a range of multi-family and single-family offerings that cater to the broad and growing residential needs of Dubai residents across varying income levels.
- The REIT generates stable and resilient operating margins and cash flows underpinned by its well-balanced tenant mix, comprising 43% corporate tenants and 57% individual tenants by units for the year ended 31 December 2024.
- The REIT’s properties are actively managed by experienced teams with a long-standing track record focused on actively engaging tenants, enhancing the value proposition of managed communities, increasing cash flow and reducing risks.
- The robust economic performance of the Emirate of Dubai is strongly supported and driven by the UAE’s superior macroeconomic fundamentals and underpinned by positive structural shifts in the rental market.
- As part of the Dubai Holding ecosystem, the REIT benefits from Dubai Holding Group’s broad capabilities within the real estate sector, including development, asset management, facilities management and community management, making it well-positioned to achieve sustainable growth and deliver attractive returns to investors.
KEY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS: