The true cost of buying property in Dubai: every fee, in order
Buyers budget for the price and the deposit, then get surprised at the transfer office. On a typical ready resale with a mortgage, fees add roughly 6–8% on top of the price, and most of it is due in cash before or on transfer day.
Fees paid by the buyer on a ready resale
- DLD transfer fee: 4% of the purchase price. This is the largest single cost and is not financeable by most banks.
- Title deed issuance and registration trustee fees: a smaller fixed amount, with the trustee fee depending on the price band, plus VAT.
- Agent commission: commonly 2% of the price plus VAT, agreed in the Form A/B you sign with your agent.
- Mortgage costs, if financing: mortgage registration (0.25% of the loan plus a fixed fee), a bank arrangement fee of up to 1% of the loan, and a bank valuation fee.
Your deposit depends on your profile
UAE Central Bank rules cap how much a bank can lend against a property. For a first home, expatriates can typically borrow up to 80% below AED 5 million, less above that, and less again for second properties and off-plan purchases. The cap sets your minimum deposit before any fees.
What the seller usually covers
Developer NOC fees and clearing any outstanding service charges are normally the seller's responsibility, but confirm who pays what in the Form F (the sale MOU) before signing. Anything unstated becomes a negotiation on transfer day.
Truval's True Cost tool runs these numbers for your exact price and financing, and shows whether your deposit clears the LTV cap. Figures are indicative; confirm with your bank and the DLD before transacting.
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