For years, property seekers in Abu Dhabi struggled with misleading listings and wasted time chasing units that were already sold or misrepresented. That frustration is now easing, thanks to the Madhmoun initiative, which has eliminated nearly 90 per cent of unverified adverts across major portals.
Platforms such as Property Finder, Bayut, and Dubizzle have undergone a drastic clean-up since the system went live. The initiative, launched by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), has redefined how properties are advertised in the capital.
“We are very grateful for Madhmoun because it has reduced a lot of fake listings, especially on Property Finder,” said Lee Bekker, broker at Crompton Partners and property owner. “Previously, agents used our property without consent just for clickbait.”
Madhmoun functions as the region’s first government-backed multiple listing service. Every property now requires a permit via the DARI platform, which ensures owner consent and restricts advertising to a maximum of three brokers. The system removes duplicates, inaccurate pricing, and misleading adverts.
The impact has been dramatic. Before August 15, Abu Dhabi portals listed about 75,000 properties. Today, that figure is closer to 20,000. “All units without permits were removed, including duplicates and fake listings,” said Ben Crompton, managing partner of Crompton Partners.
Property portals have praised the change. “Removing duplicates or expired listings collectively raises the bar for quality and accuracy,” said Cherif Sleiman, chief revenue officer at Property Finder. “The experience becomes more reliable and transparent for buyers and renters.”
Investors also feel the difference. “It is now easier to surf for property, and agents will no longer use misleading approaches,” said Zabna Amer, an active real estate investor. “The market has gained more credibility.”
But the system also brings new costs. Permit fees range from Dh50 to Dh115 plus VAT for rentals, Dh125 to Dh250 for sales, and Dh25,000 for off-plan projects per broker for three months.
Rachad Fouad, CEO of Capital Avenue Real Estate, expressed concerns. “The system is cleaner, but it is placing a financial burden on brokers. Owners must also reveal too much private information before a listing goes live.”
On August 21, the initiative expanded to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), requiring permits for all adverts in the financial district. “This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what ADREC plans,” Crompton added.
Despite concerns, market experts believe Madhmoun will boost trust and long-term confidence in Abu Dhabi’s property sector. While the number of listings has dropped significantly, industry players expect volumes to stabilise soon, this time built on verified, transparent foundations.