Guide Buying in Dubai
The real cost of buying property in Dubai
The price is only part of it. Here is every fee you can expect on a Dubai purchase, who pays it, and what a typical deal costs in cash on the day.
Updated · 6 min read
The fees, line by line
| Fee | Typical amount | Who pays | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of the price | Buyer | Paid to the Dubai Land Department on every sale, ready or off-plan. |
| Trustee office fee | AED 2,000–4,000 + VAT | Buyer | The lower rate applies below AED 500,000. Covers the transfer appointment. |
| Agency commission | Usually 2% + VAT | Buyer (resale) | Typical on ready, secondary sales. Off-plan purchases from the developer usually carry no buyer commission. |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + admin | Buyer (with a mortgage) | Registers the bank's charge on the title with the DLD. |
| Bank valuation | Around AED 2,500–3,500 | Buyer (with a mortgage) | The bank's own valuation of the property. |
| Bank arrangement fee | Up to 1% of the loan | Buyer (with a mortgage) | Varies by bank; often negotiable or waived. |
| Developer NOC | Varies by developer | Usually the seller | The developer's no-objection certificate for a resale. |
| Service charges | Per sq ft, every year | Owner | Building and community upkeep. Rates vary widely; check the building's history before you commit. |
A worked example
A ready AED 1.5M apartment bought with an 80% mortgage.
- Purchase price
- AED 1,500,000
- Down payment (20%)
- AED 300,000
- DLD transfer fee (4%)
- AED 60,000
- Agency commission (2% + VAT)
- AED 31,500
- Trustee office fee (incl. VAT)
- AED 4,200
- Mortgage registration (0.25% of AED 1.2M)
- AED 3,000
- Bank valuation (typical)
- AED 3,000
- Cash needed upfront (approx.)
- AED 401,700
Off-plan works differently: you pay the developer in stages (often 10–20% at booking), the DLD fee is usually due at booking, there is normally no buyer commission, and a mortgage only starts at handover. Off-plan vs ready
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How to keep costs down
- 01
Compare off-plan and ready
Off-plan avoids buyer commission and spreads payments, but you wait for handover. Ready homes earn rent from day one.
- 02
Check service charges first
Two similar flats can differ by thousands a year. Ask for the building's last three years of charges.
- 03
Shop the mortgage
Arrangement fees, rates and fixed periods vary between banks; a broker can often get fees waived.
- 04
Negotiate on launches
Developers sometimes cover part of the DLD fee or improve the payment plan, especially in the first phase.
Figures are typical as of October 2026 and change from time to time. Confirm current fees with the Dubai Land Department, your bank and your agent before you commit.