Total costs at a glance
For a cash resale the fees come to about 6.3% of the price, with a mortgage about 7.5%, and for off-plan from a developer about 4.3%. The table shows each item for the three cases. Amounts are as of 2026; small fixed fees change from time to time, so the final figures are confirmed at the Trustee Office.
| Cost | Resale, cash | Resale, mortgage | Off-plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of price | 4% of price | 4% of price (Oqood) |
| DLD admin fees | about AED 520 to 580 | about AED 520 to 580 | AED 20 |
| Trustee Office fee | AED 4,000 + VAT | AED 4,000 + VAT | none at booking |
| Agency fee | 2% + 5% VAT | 2% + 5% VAT | usually paid by developer |
| Developer NOC | usually seller, AED 500 to 5,000 | usually seller | not needed |
| Developer admin fee | none | none | varies, ask before booking |
| Mortgage registration | none | 0.25% of loan + AED 290 | at handover, if mortgaged |
| Bank arrangement fee | none | up to about 1% of loan + VAT | at handover, if mortgaged |
| Valuation | none | AED 2,500 to 3,500 + VAT | at handover, if mortgaged |
| DEWA deposit | AED 2,000 apartment, AED 4,000 villa | same | at handover |
| Service charges | AED 8 to 30 per sq ft a year | same | from handover |
To run the numbers on your own price, use the calculator on the buying page.
DLD fees: 4% plus admin
The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the sale price to register a transfer. By law it is 2% from the seller and 2% from the buyer, but in Dubai practice the buyer usually pays the whole 4%. Form F states who pays what.
On top of the 4%, DLD lists small admin fees for an apartment or villa: AED 250 for the title deed, AED 250 for the map, AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee, so AED 520. Many agencies quote AED 580 to keep a buffer. For off-plan the same 4% is paid when the sale is registered in Oqood, usually together with the booking payment, plus AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees.
Banks do not finance these fees, so the 4% comes from your own money. Some developers pay part or all of the DLD fee as a promotion; if so, it should be written in the SPA.
Trustee Office and agency fees
A resale is registered at a Real Estate Registration Trustee office, which charges AED 4,000 + 5% VAT (AED 4,200) for properties of AED 500,000 or more, and AED 2,000 + VAT (AED 2,100) below that. The trustee checks documents, takes the payments and issues the transfer the same day.
The market standard agency fee on resale is 2% of the price plus 5% VAT, so 2.1% in total. The buyer pays it to their agency under Form B. For off-plan bought from the developer, the developer usually pays the agency, and the buyer pays nothing.
The developer NOC (No Objection Certificate) confirms the seller owes no service charges. It costs AED 500 to 5,000 depending on the developer and is normally paid by the seller. Check Form F, because sometimes it is negotiated.
Mortgage costs
A mortgage adds about 1 to 1.5% of the price in costs. The main items:
- Mortgage registration at DLD: 0.25% of the loan plus AED 290 (AED 250 title deed fee and AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees, per DLD).
- Bank arrangement fee: up to about 1% of the loan plus VAT. It varies by bank and is often discounted or waived in promotions.
- Valuation: AED 2,500 to 3,500 plus VAT, paid to the bank's valuer.
- Insurance: life insurance and property insurance required by the bank, paid monthly or yearly.
The early settlement fee on UAE home loans is capped by the Central Bank at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less. The down payment is at least 20% for a resident's first home up to AED 5 million, and usually 40 to 50% for non-residents. Details are in the mortgage guide and the calculator on the mortgage page.
Off-plan costs
Off-plan from a developer is the cheapest way in: 4% DLD at Oqood registration, AED 20 in DLD fees and, with some developers, an admin or registration fee. There is usually no agency fee and no trustee fee at booking.
Some developers add their own admin fee for registration or for issuing documents. Amounts vary by developer, so ask for it in writing before you book. At handover expect the title deed issuance fee, the DEWA deposit and the first service charge invoice.
Buying off-plan as a resale from another buyer costs more: 4% DLD on the resale price, the trustee fee, the developer's NOC or transfer fee and usually 2% + VAT agency. How assignment works is in off-plan vs ready property in Dubai.
Running costs after purchase
After the purchase you pay service charges and utilities; there is no annual property tax. UAE tax residents pay 0% on rent and capital gains, and the 5% Dubai housing fee on rent is paid by the tenant.
- Service charges: paid per square foot per year for building maintenance, security and common areas. Budgets are approved through RERA and published in the DLD Service Charge Index. Typical levels are AED 8 to 30 per sq ft, higher in branded and premium towers.
- DEWA: refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa, plus an activation fee of AED 100 to 300 and small registration fees.
- Chiller: some buildings bill district cooling separately. Ask before you buy.
- Letting: if you rent the unit out, the lease is registered in Ejari, and management companies typically charge a percentage of the rent.
Worked example: AED 2,000,000 apartment
On a AED 2,000,000 apartment the fees are about AED 126,780 for cash, AED 151,020 with an 80% mortgage and about AED 85,270 for off-plan. The mortgage column assumes a UAE resident borrowing AED 1,600,000 with the full 1% arrangement fee. The off-plan column assumes a developer admin fee of AED 5,250 including VAT; yours may be lower or zero.
| Item, AED | Resale, cash | Resale, 80% mortgage | Off-plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD fee 4% | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| DLD admin fees | 580 | 580 | 20 |
| Trustee fee incl. VAT | 4,200 | 4,200 | 0 |
| Agency 2% + VAT | 42,000 | 42,000 | 0 |
| Mortgage registration | 0 | 4,290 | 0 |
| Arrangement fee 1% + VAT | 0 | 16,800 | 0 |
| Valuation incl. VAT | 0 | 3,150 | 0 |
| Developer admin fee (assumed) | 0 | 0 | 5,250 |
| Total fees | 126,780 | 151,020 | 85,270 |
| Fees as % of price | 6.3% | 7.6% | 4.3% |
| Cash needed on day one | 2,126,780 | 551,020 | 485,270 with a 20% booking |
Then add the DEWA deposit of AED 2,000 at move-in, and service charges: for a 1,100 sq ft apartment at AED 18 per sq ft that is about AED 19,800 a year. I usually advise clients to keep a further 1% aside for furnishing or small repairs. This is a planning estimate, not tax or legal advice. Deals are done through FOR YOU Real Estate, a licensed Dubai agency; send me your budget through the form below and I will price a specific unit, or read how to buy property in Dubai as a foreigner.
