Smartcrowd.ae Review

Based on looking at the website, Smartcrowd.ae operates as a real estate crowdfunding platform based in Dubai, enabling individuals to collectively invest in properties.

The platform emphasizes its regulation by the Dubai Financial Services Authority DFSA and highlights features like a fully digital experience, varied investment options Hold and Flip properties, and reported historical returns.

However, the core nature of this platform, which involves pooled investments with anticipated returns and capital appreciation, closely aligns with interest-based financial activities and uncertainty gharar, making it impermissible under Islamic financial principles.

The concept of earning a fixed or expected percentage return on capital, rather than through direct, tangible profit-loss sharing in a permissible venture, is a significant concern.

Therefore, Smartcrowd.ae, despite its apparent convenience and regulatory claims, is not recommended for those adhering to Islamic financial guidelines.

Overall Review Summary:

Platform Type: Real Estate Crowdfunding
Geographic Focus: Dubai, UAE
Minimum Investment: AED 500 approx. $136 USD
Regulation: Regulated by Dubai Financial Services Authority DFSA
Investment Models: “Hold” long-term, monthly income, capital appreciation and “Flip” short-term, quick ROI
Reported Average Annualized Return: 17%
Key Features Highlighted: Pre-vetted opportunities, transparent data, security, accessibility, diversification, hassle-free investing.
Islamic Finance Compatibility: Not permissible due to interest-based returns and elements of uncertainty gharar inherent in its operational model.

The platform’s proposition centers on generating passive income and capital appreciation from real estate by pooling funds, often presenting expected annual yields and total returns.

While seemingly attractive for wealth growth, this model typically involves a pre-determined return on capital or a speculative increase in value that is not directly tied to a tangible, shared profit and loss, but rather to an expected yield or price appreciation.

This fundamental structure conflicts with Islamic finance principles that prohibit Riba interest and Gharar excessive uncertainty or speculation. True Islamic investments require risk-sharing, the investment in tangible assets, and the generation of profit from legitimate trade or productive activities, not from the time value of money or speculative appreciation without direct productive effort and risk.

Best Alternatives for Ethical Wealth Growth Non-Real Estate Investment Platforms:

Since investment platforms like Smartcrowd.ae inherently involve elements that conflict with Islamic finance principles, especially concerning interest-based returns and speculative gains without direct productive effort, it’s crucial to seek alternatives that align with ethical financial guidelines.

Rather than focusing on investment platforms that deal with interest or uncertain returns, consider direct, tangible asset ownership, ethical businesses, or platforms that strictly adhere to Sharia-compliant investment principles if they exist for specific asset classes.

Here are some general categories and products for ethical wealth growth that emphasize real, productive assets or services, avoiding interest, excessive speculation, and prohibited industries:

Ethical Gold and Silver Bullion:
- Key Features: Tangible assets, historical store of value, hedge against inflation. Can be held physically or through segregated allocated accounts.
- Average Price: Varies daily based on market prices. typically purchased per ounce or gram.
- Pros: Real asset ownership, universally accepted, portable wealth, no interest involved.
- Cons: Price volatility, storage costs, not income-generating in itself unless leased in a Sharia-compliant manner, which is rare for individuals.
Halal Stock Investment Portfolios:
- Key Features: Investing in publicly traded companies that meet specific Sharia screening criteria e.g., no debt exceeding 33%, no involvement in prohibited industries like alcohol, gambling, conventional finance.
- Average Price: Varies widely based on chosen stocks or Sharia-compliant ETFs/mutual funds.
- Pros: Diversification, potential for capital appreciation and dividends from ethical businesses, readily accessible via many brokers.
- Cons: Market volatility, requires due diligence to ensure Sharia compliance, returns are not guaranteed.
Ethical Micro-financing Platforms:
- Key Features: Providing small loans or capital to low-income entrepreneurs, typically in developing countries, to help them establish or expand businesses. Focus on social impact and empowering individuals.
- Average Price: Varies based on individual contributions, often starting from small amounts like $25.
- Pros: Direct social impact, supports real economic activity, often structured without interest e.g., Qard Hasan or profit-sharing models by some platforms.
- Cons: Higher risk of capital loss, returns are usually social rather than financial, not a primary wealth-generating tool in the traditional sense.
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Production:
- Key Features: Investing directly in farms, agricultural land, or food production businesses. This can involve purchasing land, funding sustainable farming practices, or investing in food supply chains.
- Average Price: Highly variable, often requires significant capital for direct ownership or smaller amounts through specific ethical investment funds.
- Pros: Tangible asset, essential industry, potential for real produce and profit, aligns with sustainable and ethical living.
- Cons: Illiquid, subject to environmental factors weather, pests, requires specific expertise or management.
Renewable Energy Projects Direct Investment:
- Key Features: Direct investment in solar farms, wind power projects, or other renewable energy infrastructure. This involves real assets generating real energy.
- Average Price: Varies, often through specialized funds or direct participation in smaller community projects.
- Pros: Supports clean energy, tangible asset, potential for stable long-term income from energy sales, environmentally and ethically sound.
- Cons: High upfront capital, long-term commitment, regulatory risks, requires specialized knowledge.
Ethical Real Estate Crowdfunding Sharia-Compliant Models:
- Key Features: While Smartcrowd.ae isn’t compliant, certain niche platforms may offer real estate crowdfunding structured specifically to adhere to Islamic finance principles e.g., Murabaha for property acquisition, Ijarah for rental income, or Mudarabah/Musharakah for development, explicitly avoiding interest.
- Average Price: Can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the platform and property.
- Pros: Access to real estate investment with lower capital, diversification, focuses on tangible assets.
- Cons: Very few genuinely Sharia-compliant platforms exist for crowdfunding. requires rigorous due diligence on the underlying contracts and revenue models. liquidity can be an issue.
Direct Business Investments Mudarabah/Musharakah:
- Key Features: Investing directly in a legitimate business through profit-sharing Mudarabah or partnership Musharakah agreements, where both risk and profit/loss are shared. This could be a local startup, a small business, or a joint venture.
- Average Price: Highly variable, depends on the business and the terms of the agreement.
- Pros: Direct involvement in productive economic activity, true risk-sharing, potential for significant returns if the business thrives, aligns perfectly with Islamic finance.
- Cons: High risk, requires deep understanding of the business, illiquid, time-consuming.

Remember, the key is to ensure that any investment aligns with the principles of avoiding Riba interest, Gharar excessive uncertainty, Maysir gambling, and investments in Haram industries.

Always seek advice from qualified Islamic finance scholars for specific investment products.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Table of Contents

Smartcrowd.ae Review & First Look

Smartcrowd.ae positions itself as a pioneering real estate crowdfunding platform in Dubai, offering individuals the chance to invest in the city’s dynamic property market with relatively small capital.

The website is designed to convey ease of use, high potential returns, and regulatory assurance.

It highlights key metrics such as “17% average annualized return achieved” and showcases various properties under “Live,” “Exited,” and “Funded” categories, giving visitors a glimpse into past and current opportunities.

The user interface appears clean and intuitive, with clear calls to action like “Login” and “Sign Up” prominently displayed.

However, a deeper dive into the platform’s operational model reveals fundamental aspects that conflict with Islamic finance principles.

The platform’s description of “expected annual yields” and “total returns” based on rent collected and capital appreciation, while seemingly straightforward, often implies an underlying structure that can involve Riba interest or Gharar excessive uncertainty. For instance, the “Flip Properties” model, promising “15-20% expected annual returns” over “12 to 18 Months,” leans heavily into speculative gains and pre-determined return expectations that are problematic in Islamic finance.

True Islamic investment requires a direct share in profit and loss from a real, productive venture, with no guarantee of returns and an explicit avoidance of interest in the transaction.

The transparency the website claims, offering “institutional-level data and independent market valuations,” is commendable from a secular investment standpoint.

Yet, the core issue remains the mechanism by which profits are generated and distributed.

If the capital appreciation is merely a speculative market movement on a property acquired through conventional financing which often involves interest, then the entire process becomes impermissible. Viwizard.com Review

Moreover, the pooling of funds in a Special Purpose Vehicle SPV where shares are allocated proportionate to investment, and returns are generated from “rent collected” or “capital appreciation,” needs to be scrutinized for its contractual basis to ensure it aligns with acceptable Islamic contracts like Musharakah partnership or Mudarabah profit-sharing without any hidden interest elements or excessive uncertainties.

Initial Impressions of Smartcrowd.ae

Upon first glance, Smartcrowd.ae presents itself as a modern, accessible gateway to real estate investment in Dubai.

The visual design is professional, and the messaging is geared towards simplifying complex investment processes.

User-Friendly Interface: The website layout is clean, with clear navigation menus and prominent calls to action. It appears designed for ease of use, even for novice investors.
Emphasis on Returns: The headline “17% average annualized return achieved” immediately grabs attention, appealing to those seeking high growth. This focus on expected or achieved returns, however, is a red flag from an Islamic finance perspective, as true halal investments share both risk and reward without fixed or guaranteed returns.
Regulatory Claims: The prominent mention of being “Regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority DFSA” aims to build trust and legitimacy. While regulation is crucial, it doesn’t automatically equate to Sharia compliance. Many regulated financial instruments are not permissible in Islam.

Understanding the Investment Models: Hold vs. Flip

Smartcrowd.ae offers two primary investment strategies: “Hold Properties” and “Flip Properties,” each with distinct characteristics and potential returns.

Both models, however, raise concerns under Islamic finance principles.

Hold Properties:
- Description: “Buy, rent and exit properties for long-term wealth. Long term gains, with monthly income and capital appreciation.”
- Expected Annual Yields: 6-12%
- Expected Total Return: Over 40%
- Expected Duration: Up to 5 Years
- Islamic Concern: The “monthly income” derived from rent, when pooled and distributed, and the “capital appreciation” are problematic if the underlying property acquisition involves interest-based financing Riba. Furthermore, if the “expected yields” are presented as a pre-determined return on capital rather than a share in actual, variable profits and losses from a genuinely Sharia-compliant lease, it would be impermissible.
Flip Properties:
- Description: “Buy, renovate and exit properties for quick ROI. Short term liquidity with high capital gains and appreciation.”
- Expected Annual Returns: 15-20%
- Expected Duration: 12 to 18 Months
- Islamic Concern: This model is highly speculative. The focus on “quick ROI” and “high capital gains and appreciation” from rapid buying, renovating, and selling often involves significant Gharar excessive uncertainty and can be akin to Maysir gambling if not structured meticulously with transparent and risk-sharing contracts for each step, and without any pre-determined returns. The emphasis on “expected returns” rather than actual profit-loss sharing from a true partnership is a major red flag.

The Role of DFSA Regulation

The Dubai Financial Services Authority DFSA regulation is a significant point highlighted by Smartcrowd.ae to instill confidence in potential investors.

This regulation ensures adherence to conventional financial standards but does not certify Sharia compliance.

What DFSA Regulation Means: DFSA regulation signifies that Smartcrowd.ae operates within the legal and financial frameworks set by the authority in the Dubai International Financial Centre DIFC. This typically includes requirements for transparency, investor protection, capital adequacy, and anti-money laundering AML measures.
What it Doesn’t Mean for Islamic Finance: Being DFSA-regulated does not automatically make an investment Sharia-compliant. Islamic finance has its own distinct set of rules and ethical considerations that go beyond conventional financial regulation. Many regulated financial products, such as those involving interest-based loans or speculative derivatives, are not permissible in Islam. For a platform to be truly Sharia-compliant, it would need a separate Sharia Supervisory Board or a clear, transparent adherence to Islamic financial contracts for every transaction. The website does not mention any Sharia compliance board or certification.

Smartcrowd.ae Pros & Cons Focus on Concerns

When evaluating Smartcrowd.ae from an Islamic finance perspective, the “Pros” that would typically appeal to conventional investors often become “Cons” due to the underlying contractual structures. Here, we focus on the significant concerns. Next-cart.com Review

Cons of Smartcrowd.ae from an Islamic Perspective

The primary issues with Smartcrowd.ae stem from its fundamental operational model and its potential deviation from core Islamic financial principles, particularly Riba interest and Gharar excessive uncertainty.

Riba Interest Concerns: The platform highlights “expected annual yields” and “average annualized returns.” In conventional finance, these often imply a pre-determined return on capital, which is characteristic of interest. While the platform states returns are based on “rent collected from tenants minus property-related costs” and “capital appreciation,” the pooling of funds and the promise of a percentage return on investment, without explicitly detailing Sharia-compliant profit-loss sharing mechanisms like a true Musharakah or Mudarabah without fixed returns or interest-bearing loans for property acquisition, raises significant Riba concerns. Sharia-compliant real estate investment must ensure that all financial transactions, from acquisition to rental and sale, avoid interest. The website does not provide details on the financing methods used for property acquisition, which is crucial for Sharia compliance.
Gharar Excessive Uncertainty/Speculation: The “Flip Properties” model, with its emphasis on “quick ROI” and “high capital gains” over short durations 12-18 months, inherently involves significant speculation on market movements. While real estate can appreciate, the explicit focus on rapid turnover for high capital gains, and the general lack of full transparency on the precise contractual structures of each transaction, could lead to excessive Gharar. Islamic finance discourages investments where the outcome is highly uncertain or resembles gambling Maysir.
Lack of Explicit Sharia Compliance: The website makes no mention of a Sharia Supervisory Board, Sharia certifications, or the specific Islamic contracts e.g., Musharakah, Ijarah, Murabaha that underpin its operations. For a platform to be considered permissible in Islam, a dedicated and transparent adherence to these principles is essential, often requiring oversight from qualified scholars. Without this, it’s presumed to operate under conventional finance rules, which are generally not Sharia-compliant.
Indirect Ownership & Control: While investors become “shareholders” in a Special Purpose Vehicle SPV, the degree of actual control and direct involvement in the property’s management or the underlying contractual agreements is minimal. Investors “sit back, relax, and watch your hassle-free returns roll in!” This passive investment model, while convenient, can obscure underlying non-compliant transactions.
Potential for Conventional Financing: Given that Dubai’s real estate market largely operates on conventional financing models, there’s a high probability that the properties acquired by Smartcrowd.ae’s SPVs may involve interest-based loans or mortgages, which would render the entire investment impermissible for a Muslim investor, regardless of how the returns are distributed. The website does not clarify the financing structure of the property acquisitions.
“Not Investment Advice” Disclaimer: While common for financial platforms, the disclaimer “SmartCrowd does not provide investment advice. We only equip you with the necessary tools and transparent market information to help you make informed investment decisions” places the onus entirely on the investor. For Muslim investors, this means a rigorous, independent Sharia review is necessary, which the platform doesn’t facilitate or even acknowledge.

Smartcrowd.ae Investment Fees

Understanding the fee structure is crucial for any investment, and Smartcrowd.ae details its fees, which impact the net returns for investors.

However, even with transparent fees, if the underlying investment model is problematic from an Islamic perspective, the fees themselves become irrelevant.

Transparent Fee Structure

Smartcrowd.ae aims for transparency regarding its fees.

According to its website, fees are typically levied on the property’s purchase, management, and eventual sale.

Acquisition Fees: These are generally charged at the point of property acquisition. This could be a percentage of the property value or a fixed amount.
Property Management Fees: As Smartcrowd.ae handles property management finding tenants, maintenance, etc., a fee is charged for these services, usually as a percentage of the rental income.
Exit Fees/Disposal Fees: When a property is sold, a fee might be applied for facilitating the sale.
No Hidden Costs Claim: The platform attempts to assure investors that all fees are upfront.

Example Fee Types Common in Real Estate Crowdfunding:

Sourcing/Acquisition Fee: Typically 1-3% of the property value.
Annual Management Fee: Often 8-15% of the gross rental income.
Performance Fee: A percentage of profits over a certain hurdle rate less common for basic crowdfunding, but possible.
Sales/Disposal Fee: Around 1-2% of the sale price upon exit.

Islamic Perspective on Fees: While the fees themselves might be legitimate charges for services rendered like property management, the concern for a Muslim investor lies in what these fees are being charged on. If the underlying investment itself is impermissible e.g., through Riba-laden acquisition or excessive speculation, then participating in the investment, even with transparent fees, would not be permissible. The focus should always be on the permissibility of the core activity and the source of returns.

Smartcrowd.ae Investment Structure

Smartcrowd.ae’s investment structure is built around pooling funds from multiple investors to acquire properties, with a Special Purpose Vehicle SPV at its core.

This structure is common in real estate investment, but its Sharia compliance depends entirely on the underlying contracts and financing.

How Investments Are Structured

The website explains that Smartcrowd.ae simplifies property investment by allowing multiple investors to pool their funds. K2tickets.com Review

Fund Pooling: Investors contribute funds, starting from AED 500, to fully fund a selected property.
Special Purpose Vehicle SPV: Once 100% funded, Smartcrowd creates an SPV. This SPV acts as a separate company, and investors become shareholders in it. Each SPV is broken into 1,000,000 shares, with shares allocated proportionate to the investment.
DFIC Regulation: The SPV is incorporated and referenced in the public register of DIFC Dubai International Financial Centre, ensuring a regulated and transparent ownership structure.
Returns Generation: Returns are generated through “Monthly Returns” from rent minus costs and “Capital Appreciation” when the property is sold.

Islamic Assessment of the SPV Structure

From an Islamic finance standpoint, the SPV structure itself is not inherently problematic.

SPVs can be used in Sharia-compliant transactions, particularly in Sukuk Islamic bonds or large-scale real estate projects under structures like Ijarah leasing or Musharakah partnership. However, the critical elements to assess are:

Source of Funds for SPV: How does the SPV acquire the property? Is it financed through conventional interest-bearing loans or Sharia-compliant modes like Murabaha cost-plus financing or Ijara wa Iqtina lease to own? If the SPV uses interest-based loans, then the entire investment becomes impermissible. The website does not clarify the financing sources for the SPV’s property acquisitions.
Nature of Shareholding: While investors become “shareholders,” the terms of this shareholding must align with principles of Musharakah or Mudarabah. This means investors should truly share in the profit and loss without any pre-determined or guaranteed returns, and the underlying assets must be permissible. If the shares merely represent a claim on a fixed percentage return derived from a non-compliant activity, it would be problematic.
Management and Risk Sharing: In true Islamic partnerships, both profit and loss are shared. While Smartcrowd.ae handles the management, the financial structure must reflect risk-sharing, not just a promise of returns based on performance. The statement “Your capital may be at risk and you may not receive the anticipated returns” is a standard disclosure but doesn’t negate the fundamental contractual structure.

Without explicit documentation of the Sharia-compliant financing methods for property acquisition and the specific Islamic contracts governing the profit distribution and risk-sharing among the SPV and investors, this structure remains highly questionable for a Muslim investor.

How to Exit an Investment with Smartcrowd.ae

Smartcrowd.ae provides mechanisms for investors to exit their investments, understanding that circumstances can change.

While the flexibility is a conventional “pro,” the ethical considerations of the initial investment remain paramount.

Exit Mechanisms Provided

Smartcrowd.ae offers two primary methods for exiting an investment:

Voting to Sell:
- Process: At the end of the recommended holding term or sooner for “valid reasons”, a mandatory vote is conducted among investors.
- Outcome: Investors vote on whether to sell their investments at market value.
- Recommendation: Smartcrowd.ae recommends a 5-year holding period for optimal returns, indicating a long-term strategy for their “Hold” properties.
Share Transfer Facility:
- Process: If a property qualifies, investors can list some or all of their shares for sale to other investors on the platform.
- Availability: This facility operates for a two-week period every six months, typically in March and September.
- Purpose: Offers liquidity for investors to plan exits strategically or acquire shares from others.

Islamic Perspective on Exiting Investments

For a Muslim investor, the method of exit is less critical than the permissibility of the initial investment itself.

If the investment fundamentally involves Riba or Gharar, then participating in the investment and exiting it would still be impermissible. Vietjetair.com Review

Liquidity Concerns: While the Share Transfer Facility aims to provide liquidity, relying on other investors on the platform to buy shares can still pose liquidity challenges if there’s no ready buyer. This is a common feature in illiquid asset classes like real estate.
Value of Exit: Exiting at “market value” is standard, but if the “market value” is influenced by speculative bubbles or conventional financial practices that inflate prices beyond true intrinsic value, then the gains from such an exit can still be problematic.
Sharia-Compliant Alternatives: In truly Sharia-compliant real estate investments e.g., through an Islamic REIT or a direct Musharakah, exiting would typically involve selling one’s share in a tangible, permissible asset to another party, ensuring that the transaction adheres to Islamic sale principles e.g., no short selling, clear ownership transfer. The share transfer facility might seem similar, but if the underlying asset acquisition was financed by interest, then the entire chain of transactions becomes flawed from an Islamic perspective.

Smartcrowd.ae Alternatives

Given the significant concerns regarding Smartcrowd.ae’s adherence to Islamic finance principles, it is imperative to explore ethical and Sharia-compliant alternatives for wealth growth.

These alternatives prioritize genuine asset ownership, risk-sharing, and avoidance of Riba and Gharar.

Ethical Alternatives for Wealth Growth

Instead of platforms that may involve interest or excessive speculation, Muslim investors should look towards instruments and platforms explicitly designed for Sharia compliance.

These alternatives focus on real economic activity and tangible assets.

Halal Equity Funds/ETFs:
- Description: These are mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds ETFs that invest only in companies whose business activities and financial ratios e.g., debt levels, liquid assets are screened for Sharia compliance. They avoid industries like alcohol, gambling, conventional banking, and pornography.
- Pros: Diversification, professional management, relatively liquid, accessible through conventional brokerage accounts with specific fund selections.
- Cons: Market risk, performance depends on the underlying stocks, may have higher management fees.
- Example Platforms for general equity investment: Vanguard, Fidelity, or specific Islamic asset managers like Amanah Funds.
Sukuk Islamic Bonds:
- Description: Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates that represent undivided beneficial ownership in tangible assets or a defined project. Unlike conventional bonds that pay interest, Sukuk pay a share of the profit generated by the underlying asset or project.
- Pros: Provides regular income profit distribution, capital preservation, asset-backed.
- Cons: Lower liquidity compared to conventional bonds, availability might be limited to institutional investors or specific funds.
- Example Platforms for general investment in Sukuk funds: Certain Islamic banks or asset management firms offer Sukuk funds.
Direct Real Estate Ownership Sharia-Compliant Financing:
- Description: Purchasing physical real estate using Sharia-compliant financing methods such as Murabaha cost-plus sale, Musharakah Mutanaqisah diminishing partnership, or Ijarah leasing. This avoids conventional interest-based mortgages.
- Pros: Tangible asset, potential for rental income and capital appreciation, direct control.
- Cons: High capital requirement, illiquid, management responsibilities, requires expertise in property.
- Example Institutions: Islamic banks and financial institutions e.g., Guidance Residential in the US.
Ethical Crowdfunding for Small Businesses Profit-Sharing:
- Description: Platforms that connect investors with small businesses seeking capital, structured on profit-sharing Mudarabah or Musharakah or equity investments, rather than interest-bearing loans. These focus on productive, ethical businesses.
- Pros: Supports real economic growth, direct impact, aligns with risk-sharing principles.
- Cons: High risk, illiquid, difficult to scale investments, requires thorough due diligence on each business.
- Example Platforms: Look for platforms explicitly marketing Sharia-compliant or ethical profit-sharing models.
Investing in Precious Metals Physical Gold/Silver: Clickoffices.com Review
- Description: Direct physical ownership of gold or silver bullion. This is a historically stable store of wealth and a hedge against inflation.
- Pros: Tangible asset, universally accepted, no interest involved, maintains purchasing power.
- Cons: No income generation, storage costs, price volatility, not ideal for rapid growth.
- Example Dealers: APMEX, JM Bullion.
Ethical/Sustainable Funds:
- Description: Funds that invest in companies with strong Environmental, Social, and Governance ESG practices. While not always strictly Sharia-compliant, many principles overlap with Islamic ethics e.g., avoiding harmful industries, promoting fair labor.
- Pros: Socially responsible investing, potential for good long-term returns, broad diversification.
- Cons: May not fully meet all Sharia screening criteria, requires careful review.
- Example Funds: Look for ESG ETFs or mutual funds from major providers like BlackRock ESG, Vanguard ESG.

The key takeaway is to always prioritize a thorough understanding of the underlying contracts and financial mechanisms to ensure full Sharia compliance before committing any funds.

How to Cancel Smartcrowd.ae Subscription / Free Trial

Smartcrowd.ae does not operate on a subscription model or offer a traditional “free trial” in the sense of a recurring service fee.

Instead, it’s a transactional investment platform where you invest in specific properties.

Therefore, the concept of “canceling a subscription” doesn’t directly apply.

Understanding the Non-Subscription Model

Smartcrowd.ae’s business model is based on facilitating individual property investments, not providing a continuous service that requires a recurring payment or subscription.

No Monthly Fees for Platform Access: The platform itself is free to register and browse properties. You only incur costs when you choose to invest in a property, through various fees acquisition, management, exit as detailed in their “Investment Fees” section.
Investment-Based Model: Your financial commitment is tied to specific property investments, not to platform access. You choose to “top up your wallet” and “make your investment” on a property-by-property basis.

Exiting an Investment vs. Cancelling a Subscription

What might be perceived as “cancellation” in a subscription model is actually “exiting an investment” on Smartcrowd.ae.

Existing Investments: If you have already invested in a property, you would need to follow their “Exit” procedures as described previously, which involve either voting to sell the property at the end of the holding term or using their “Share Transfer Facility” to sell your shares to another investor. This is not an instantaneous “cancel” button.
No Active Investments: If you have registered but not yet invested in any property, or if you have no active investments, there is nothing to “cancel” as you are not being charged ongoing fees for platform access. You can simply stop using the platform. If you wish to formally close your account, you would likely need to contact their support through the “Help Center” or “Contact Us” link.

Steps if You Wish to Discontinue Engagement:

Check for Active Investments: Log in to your Smartcrowd.ae account to verify if you have any live investments.
For Active Investments: If you have investments, review their “Exits & Returns” and “Share Transfer Facility” sections to understand the process and timelines for selling your shares or the property.
No Active Investments / Account Closure: If you have no active investments and wish to close your account, navigate to their “Help Center” or “Contact Us” page via https://smartcrowd.typeform.com/support/?typeform-source=my.smartcrowd.ae and inquire about account deactivation or closure procedures. This typically involves submitting a request.

Given the ethical concerns with the platform’s core offering, the best “cancellation” from an Islamic perspective is to avoid engaging with it in the first place or, if already invested, to exit via the most permissible means available, while simultaneously seeking repentance and purifying any impermissible gains.

FAQ

What is Smartcrowd.ae?

Smartcrowd.ae is a real estate crowdfunding platform based in Dubai, UAE, that allows multiple investors to pool their funds to collectively invest in properties in Dubai, aiming to generate returns through rental income and capital appreciation. Abbott.com Review

Is Smartcrowd.ae regulated?

Yes, Smartcrowd.ae is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority DFSA and is registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre DIFC.

What kind of returns does Smartcrowd.ae promise?

Smartcrowd.ae highlights an “17% average annualized return achieved” and states expected annual yields for “Hold Properties” 6-12% and “Flip Properties” 15-20%, with expected total returns over 40% for Hold properties over up to 5 years.

What are the minimum investment requirements on Smartcrowd.ae?

You can start investing on Smartcrowd.ae from as little as AED 500 approximately $136 USD.

How do I earn returns with Smartcrowd.ae?

Returns are earned through monthly distributions calculated from collected rent minus property costs proportionate to your share, and through capital appreciation when the property is eventually sold.

What is the “Hold Properties” model on Smartcrowd.ae?

The “Hold Properties” model focuses on long-term investment up to 5 years where properties are bought, rented out for monthly income, and then eventually sold for capital appreciation.

What is the “Flip Properties” model on Smartcrowd.ae?

The “Flip Properties” model is a short-term strategy 12 to 18 months where properties are bought, potentially renovated, and then quickly exited to achieve high capital gains.

How does Smartcrowd.ae ensure transparency?

Smartcrowd.ae claims to offer “transparent data,” including institutional-level data and independent market valuations, and states that all fees are upfront.

Can I invest in Smartcrowd.ae from anywhere in the world?

Yes, Smartcrowd.ae is an entirely digital platform designed to make property investment accessible globally, allowing you to invest from anywhere.

What is a Special Purpose Vehicle SPV in Smartcrowd.ae?

An SPV is a separate company created by Smartcrowd.ae for each fully funded property.

Investors become shareholders in this SPV, with shares allocated proportionate to their investment, establishing a transparent ownership structure. Sisu-london.com Review

How do I exit an investment on Smartcrowd.ae?

You can exit an investment by voting to sell the property at the end of the recommended holding term or by using the “Share Transfer Facility” to sell your shares to other investors on the platform during specific bi-annual windows.

What are the fees associated with Smartcrowd.ae?

Smartcrowd.ae charges various fees, typically including acquisition fees, property management fees a percentage of rental income, and exit/disposal fees when the property is sold.

Does Smartcrowd.ae offer a free trial?

No, Smartcrowd.ae does not operate on a subscription model or offer a free trial.

You can register and browse for free, but investments are transactional, incurring fees only when you invest in a property.

How can I contact Smartcrowd.ae support?

You can contact Smartcrowd.ae support through their Help Center or by using the “Contact Us” form available on their website.

Does Smartcrowd.ae provide investment advice?

No, Smartcrowd.ae explicitly states that it does not provide investment advice, emphasizing that it provides tools and market information to help investors make their own informed decisions.

What is the purpose of the “Share Transfer Facility” on Smartcrowd.ae?

The Share Transfer Facility allows investors to sell their shares in a property to other investors on the platform during designated two-week periods every six months, offering a degree of liquidity and portfolio diversification.

What types of properties can I invest in through Smartcrowd.ae?

Smartcrowd.ae offers investment opportunities in various types of residential properties in Dubai, as seen from their listings of studios and 1-bedroom units in areas like Downtown Dubai, JVC, and Dubai Marina.

Are there any risks associated with investing on Smartcrowd.ae?

Yes, Smartcrowd.ae includes a risk warning: “Investments in property and unlisted shares carry a risk.

Your capital may be at risk and you may not receive the anticipated returns. This is not investment advice.” Bahceci.com Review

How long does it take to register on Smartcrowd.ae?

The website claims that users can register and complete the entire process in less than 3 minutes, making it quick and hassle-free to get started.

Where can I find reviews for Smartcrowd.ae?

Smartcrowd.ae displays ratings from Google 4.6 and Trustpilot 4.3 on its homepage, linking directly to these review platforms for verification.