Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), together with the Urban Planning and Permits Centre (UPPC), has extended the deadline for property owners to obtain an occupancy certificate from September 16 to November 30 this year.
An occupancy certificate confirms that a building meets required health, structural and safety standards and is fit for use. Depending on the property type, it remains valid for up to five years. The requirement now applies to commercial buildings, residential buildings, mixed-use towers, and investment villas older than 30 years.
Officials said owners who have already submitted applications will be granted an additional six months to complete the remaining technical and administrative procedures. Buildings that remain without a valid certificate, however, face an administrative fine of up to Dh1 million and will be required to resolve all outstanding violations.
One of the most significant consequences of non-compliance is that new lease contracts cannot be registered through Abu Dhabi's Tawtheeq system for affected buildings — a restriction that could directly limit an owner's ability to rent out their property.
The extension is intended to give owners who have not yet completed inspection and certification procedures more time to comply, and authorities expect a significant number of pending cases to be resolved during the extended window. Property owners are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible rather than wait until closer to the new deadline.