Buyer guide
Dubai property buying costs
Every cost of buying property in Dubai on top of the price — DLD fee, trustee, agency, mortgage and NOC — with who pays and where to confirm the current figure.
- Largest fee
- DLD transfer fee — 4% of the purchase price
- Who customarily pays
- The buyer, unless Form F says otherwise
- Mortgage buyers
- Extra registration, valuation and bank fees
- Off-plan
- Oqood registration through the developer
- Where to confirm
- DLD, trustee office, lender and agency agreement
The costs at a glance
Think of buying costs in four groups: government fees (DLD), transaction service fees (trustee office, agent), finance costs (if borrowing) and moving-in costs (utilities, insurance, furnishing). Only the DLD transfer fee is a fixed percentage set by government — 4% of the price. Everything else varies by property, lender and agreement, so collect written quotes. The table below lists each item, who normally pays and where to confirm the current figure. Use the property buying cost calculator to model your own numbers.
Government and registration fees
The DLD transfer fee is the biggest single cost. Our DLD transfer fee guide explains who pays it, when and how. DLD also charges title-deed issuance and admin fees, and a separate fee to register a mortgage against the property. These are published by DLD and can change, so ask the trustee office for the current schedule before transfer day.
| Cost item | Who normally pays | Where to confirm current figure |
|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee (4% of price) | Buyer, unless Form F says otherwise | Dubai Land Department |
| Title deed / DLD admin fees | Buyer | DLD or trustee office |
| Trustee office service fee | Buyer | Trustee office quote |
| Buyer's agency commission | Buyer | Agency agreement / Form F |
| Mortgage registration fee | Buyer (if borrowing) | DLD / your bank |
| Valuation and bank arrangement fees | Buyer (if borrowing) | Your lender's offer letter |
| Developer NOC fee | Usually seller — check Form F | Developer |
| Outstanding service charges | Seller (must clear before NOC) | Mollak statement |
| Oqood registration (off-plan) | Buyer | Developer / DLD |
| DEWA connection and deposit | Buyer as new owner | DEWA |
| Home insurance | Buyer | Insurer quotes |
Agency and trustee fees
Buyer's agency commission is agreed in writing, normally in the agency agreement and Form F. There is no single statutory rate, so read what you are signing and check whether VAT is added. The trustee office charges a service fee for handling the transfer; it differs for transactions with and without a mortgage. Ask for both in writing early.
Costs that depend on the property
For resale purchases, the developer charges the seller for the NOC; who bears it should be stated in Form F. Outstanding service charges must be cleared before the NOC is issued — check the current figure on Mollak through the seller. For off-plan, buyers pay Oqood registration (interim registration) via the developer, and the payment plan sets when instalments fall due. After handover, budget for annual service charges, DEWA deposits and connection, chiller fees where relevant, and home insurance.
Common budgeting mistakes
- Budgeting the 4% DLD fee but forgetting admin, trustee and mortgage fees
- Not checking whether quoted commission includes VAT
- Ignoring the first year's service charges and utility deposits
- Leaving no buffer for exchange-rate movement if funds come from abroad
- Relying on a cost estimate from an advert rather than written quotes
How to get firm numbers before you commit
Ask for written figures at three points. Before viewing, get your lender's fee schedule and the agency's commission terms. Before signing Form F, ask the seller's agent for the latest Mollak service-charge statement and the developer's NOC fee, and agree in writing who pays each. Before transfer, ask the trustee office for an itemised list of DLD and trustee charges with payee names. Put everything into one spreadsheet, add a contingency, and check that your available cash covers the deposit plus every cost. Overseas buyers should also allow for bank transfer charges and currency conversion.
Questions people ask
How much should I budget on top of the price?
Start with the 4% DLD fee, then add written quotes for trustee, agency, admin and any mortgage fees. Because only the DLD fee is a fixed percentage, the total varies by deal. The buying cost calculator helps you add it up.
Are buying costs different for off-plan?
Yes. Off-plan buyers register the contract through Oqood rather than a resale transfer, and there is usually no NOC from a seller. Check the developer's fee schedule and the SPA.
Is VAT charged on residential purchases?
VAT treatment depends on the property type and the service. Agency and some service fees often carry VAT. Ask each provider whether their quote includes it.
Can the seller pay some of my costs?
Anything can be negotiated and recorded in Form F. In practice the buyer usually pays the DLD fee and own costs, and the seller pays the NOC and clears service charges.
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