Sharjah Unveils New Property Law with Tighter Rules and Safeguards
Sharjah has moved forward with a draft law governing the handling of lost and abandoned property, including how such assets are received, safeguarded, returned to their owners or disposed of across the emirate.
The Sharjah Executive Council reviewed the proposed legislation on September 15 at the Sharjah Ruler’s Office. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council. Council members instructed the General Secretariat to refer the draft to the Sharjah Consultative Council for further consideration.
The proposed framework sets out formal procedures for property that authorities receive or identify as lost or abandoned. Sharjah has yet to announce an implementation date or issue final rules governing enforcement.
The proposal outlines several stages for managing lost and abandoned assets. Authorities would receive and safeguard the property before taking steps to identify and trace its rightful owner.
Property for which an owner can be identified would be handled through procedures for its return. Assets that remain unclaimed would be subject to disposal procedures in line with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
The Sharjah Executive Council said the legislation forms part of a broader programme focused on improving the quality and accessibility of government services. Discussions covered advanced public service systems, operational efficiency and measures aimed at accelerating service delivery across government departments.
Officials also reviewed service processes designed to respond to community needs and support social stability across the emirate.
The September 15 announcement did not specify penalties, retention periods or detailed disposal mechanisms. These provisions will depend on the final version of the legislation and the subsequent approval process.
Consultative Council to review draft
The Sharjah Consultative Council will consider the proposed legislation after receiving it from the Executive Council’s General Secretariat.
The referral marks the next stage in the legislative process, with the final provisions still subject to review and approval before authorities set out operational requirements for relevant government entities.
The emirate has continued to use Consultative Council reviews for other legislative matters during 2026. In March, council members considered recommendations related to real estate registration policy, including a committee report containing proposed legislative measures.
Government authorities have also continued to update administrative structures and regulatory frameworks throughout 2026. The Sharjah Executive Council approved new organisational structures for municipalities in April and considered further legal amendments in August.
The proposed lost property law would introduce another defined administrative framework covering ownership rights, asset custody and government procedures for handling such property.
Sharjah property market records strong activity
Sharjah’s broader property market has maintained solid transaction activity during 2026 as authorities continue to update legislation and registration procedures.
Real estate trading value reached $8.03 billion (AED 29.5 billion) in the first half of 2026, marking a 9.3 per cent increase from the same period last year. The Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department recorded 59,460 transactions, representing annual growth of 23.7 per cent.