RERA Audit Deadlines 2025: Complete Calendar
Never miss a RERA audit deadline in 2025. Complete calendar of deadlines for real estate developers, property managers, escrow account audits, and service charge fund audits in Dubai.
RERA audit compliance requires careful attention to multiple deadlines throughout the year. Missing these deadlines can result in penalties, license suspension, or inability to register new projects.
This comprehensive calendar covers all 2025 RERA audit deadlines for developers, property managers, and real estate service providers in Dubai.
Understanding RERA Audit Requirements
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) is the regulatory authority under Dubai Land Department (DLD) overseeing Dubai's real estate sector. RERA mandates various audit requirements to protect buyer interests and ensure market integrity.
Key RERA Audit Types:
- Developer Annual Audit
- Escrow Account Audit
- Project Completion Audit
- Service Charge Fund Audit (for owners' associations)
- Property Manager Financial Audit
2025 RERA Audit Deadlines Calendar
Q1 2025 (January - March)
January 15, 2025
- Service Charge Fund Budget Submission
- Owners' associations must submit approved 2025 budgets
- Deadline for properties with calendar year-end
January 31, 2025
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (December 2024)
- Submit December escrow reconciliation to RERA
- Required for all active project escrow accounts
February 28, 2025
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (January 2025)
- Submit January escrow reconciliation
March 31, 2025
- Annual Developer Audit (Calendar Year-End)
- Audited financial statements for developers with December 31, 2024 year-end
- Submission to RERA portal
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (February 2025)
Q2 2025 (April - June)
April 30, 2025
- Service Charge Fund Audit (Calendar Year)
- Audited financial statements for owners' associations (Dec 31, 2024 year-end)
- Must be shared with unit owners within 120 days of year-end
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (March 2025)
May 31, 2025
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (April 2025)
June 30, 2025
- Annual Developer Audit (March Year-End)
- Audited financial statements for developers with March 31, 2025 year-end
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (May 2025)
Q3 2025 (July - September)
July 31, 2025
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (June 2025)
- Property Manager Annual Returns
- Property management companies: Annual license renewal documentation
August 31, 2025
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (July 2025)
September 30, 2025
- Annual Developer Audit (June Year-End)
- Audited financial statements for developers with June 30, 2025 year-end
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (August 2025)
Q4 2025 (October - December)
October 31, 2025
- Service Charge Fund Audit (September Year-End)
- Audited financial statements for owners' associations (Sep 30, 2025 year-end)
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (September 2025)
November 30, 2025
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (October 2025)
December 31, 2025
- Annual Developer Audit (September Year-End)
- Audited financial statements for developers with September 30, 2025 year-end
- Escrow Account Monthly Reconciliation (November 2025)
- Project Completion Audits
- Final audit for projects completed in 2025
Detailed Requirements by Audit Type
1. Developer Annual Audit
Who Needs It: All registered real estate developers in Dubai
Requirements:
- Audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS
- Audit conducted by RERA-approved auditor
- Consolidated statements if multiple entities
- Notes disclosure on related party transactions
Submission Deadline: Within 90 days of financial year-end
Penalties for Late Filing:
- AED 10,000 initial fine
- AED 1,000 per day thereafter
- Potential license suspension after 30 days
2. Escrow Account Audit
Who Needs It: All off-plan project developers with active escrow accounts
Requirements:
- Monthly reconciliation statements
- Annual escrow account audit
- Proof of permitted withdrawals only
- Bank confirmation letters
Monthly Reconciliation Deadline: Last day of following month
Annual Audit Deadline: 90 days after year-end
Key Compliance Points:
- Escrow funds can only be withdrawn per approved milestones
- All project costs must be supported by invoices
- Construction completion percentage must match withdrawals
3. Service Charge Fund Audit
Who Needs It: All owners' associations/joint ownership arrangements
Requirements:
- Audited financial statements
- Service charge budget vs. actual comparison
- Reserve fund status
- AGM approval documentation
Deadline: 120 days after financial year-end
Distribution: Must be shared with all unit owners within deadline
4. Project Completion Audit
Who Needs It: Developers upon project completion
Requirements:
- Final escrow account audit
- Confirmation all escrow funds properly utilized
- Handover documentation
- Final cost reconciliation
Deadline: Within 60 days of project completion certificate
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Understanding penalties helps prioritize compliance:
Late Filing Penalties:
- Initial fine: AED 10,000
- Daily penalties: AED 1,000/day
- Maximum: AED 100,000
Non-Filing Penalties:
- License suspension
- Inability to launch new projects
- Escrow account freeze
- Director liability
- Criminal prosecution (severe cases)
Inaccurate Reporting:
- Fines up to AED 500,000
- License revocation
- Project handover delays
Best Practices for Meeting Deadlines
1. Year-Round Preparation
Don't wait until deadline to start. Maintain audit-ready records throughout the year:
- Monthly reconciliations (even if not required monthly)
- Quarterly internal reviews
- Proper filing systems
- Up-to-date supporting documentation
2. Engage Auditors Early
Recommended Timeline:
- 6-8 weeks before year-end: Engage auditor, conduct planning
- Year-end: Ensure cutoff procedures in place
- Week 1-4 post year-end: Provide information, conduct audit fieldwork
- Week 5-8: Review findings, finalize statements
- Week 9-10: RERA submission, buffer for queries
3. Audit Preparation Checklist
60 Days Before Year-End:
- Engage RERA-approved auditor
- Conduct pre-audit review
- Resolve prior year findings
- Update escrow account reconciliations
At Year-End:
- Freeze accounts for cutoff
- Complete physical counts (if applicable)
- Reconcile all accounts
- Prepare trial balance
Post Year-End:
- Provide auditor information promptly
- Respond to audit queries within 24-48 hours
- Review draft financial statements
- Obtain board/partner approvals
- Submit to RERA portal
4. Common Delays to Avoid
Information Delays:
- Missing bank confirmations (request 2-3 weeks before year-end)
- Unavailable management for queries (schedule availability)
- Incomplete reconciliations (maintain current throughout year)
Approval Delays:
- Board meetings not scheduled (plan AGM/board meeting early)
- Partner signatures across multiple jurisdictions (use digital signatures where possible)
RERA Audit Portal Submission Process
Step 1: Prepare Documents
- Audited financial statements (signed)
- Auditor's report
- Notes to accounts
- Management representation letter
Step 2: Portal Upload
- Log into RERA portal with credentials
- Navigate to audit submission section
- Upload PDF documents (signed and scanned)
- Complete required forms
Step 3: Payment
- RERA audit filing fee (typically AED 2,000-5,000)
- Payment through portal
Step 4: Confirmation
- Receive submission confirmation number
- RERA review (typically 10-15 business days)
- Respond to any RERA queries
Choosing RERA-Approved Auditors
Only RERA-approved audit firms can conduct RERA audits. When selecting:
Verify RERA Approval:
- Check RERA website for approved auditor list
- Confirm specific auditor's individual approval
- Request RERA approval certificate
Evaluate Experience:
- Number of RERA audits conducted annually
- Experience with similar project sizes
- Knowledge of real estate accounting
Consider Timing:
- Availability to meet your deadlines
- Team capacity during peak season
- Responsiveness and efficiency
2025 Special Considerations
New RERA Requirements (2025):
- Enhanced escrow withdrawal documentation
- Sustainability reporting for large developments
- Beneficial ownership disclosure in developer audits
Upcoming Changes (2026):
- Digital escrow account monitoring (real-time)
- Monthly instead of quarterly escrow reconciliations
- Additional disclosure on off-plan sales
What to Do If You'll Miss a Deadline
If you realize you cannot meet a deadline:
-
Immediately Contact RERA
- Explain circumstances
- Request extension (granted case-by-case)
-
Document Reasons
- Valid reasons: Auditor delays, system failures, force majeure
- Invalid reasons: Forgot, didn't prioritize, chose cheap auditor
-
Submit Partial Information
- Submit whatever is ready
- Indicate remainder forthcoming with timeline
-
Engage Specialist Support
- Expedited audit services available
- Can often compress timeline with additional resources
Resources
RERA Contact:
- Website: www.rera.ae
- Email: customercare@rera.ae
- Phone: 800-RERA (800-7372)
DLD Portal:
- dubailand.gov.ae
Approved Auditors List:
- Available on RERA website under Services
Conclusion
RERA audit compliance requires proactive planning and disciplined execution. Mark these deadlines in your calendar, engage auditors early, and maintain audit-ready records year-round.
At Farahat & Co, we're RERA-approved auditors specializing in real estate. We conduct 200+ RERA audits annually and have never missed a client deadline.
Contact us to ensure your 2025 RERA audits are completed smoothly and on time.
Related Resources
- RERA Audit Requirements Guide - Complete RERA compliance framework
- RERA Audit Services - Professional RERA audit support
- Top 10 Audit Firms in Dubai - RERA-approved auditors
Important Disclaimer
The information provided in this article reflects the regulatory environment as of 2026. Laws and regulations in the UAE are subject to change. This content is for general information only and does not constitute professional legal or financial advice. We recommend consulting with a qualified auditor or legal advisor for your specific situation.
Continue Reading
Explore more insights and guides from our team.