The UAE needs standardised local and federal property laws to help the sector get back to its feet, analysts told Emirates Business.

Analysts said only consumer confidence can kick-start the sector, and to do so, liquidity and trust coupled with proper and harmonised legal infrastructures need to be in place.

Stephen Ballantine, a senior legal consultant at Galadari and Associates' Dubai office, said property laws have been "badly drafted" and authorities need to have a thorough review of them.

"I would like to see the whole structure and content of the local and federal property laws and system of title registration standardised and given a thorough review-for once and for all," he said. Chris Dommett, Chief Executive Officer, John Charcol Middle East, said: "I believe it would be beneficial to standardise the laws across the UAE as this would bring clarity and consistency, which in turn would boost the confidence of both local and foreign investors."

Standardised property laws needed in UAE