Cost calculator
| DLD transfer fee (4%) | 40,000 AED |
|---|---|
| DLD admin fees (title deed etc.) | 580 AED |
| Trustee office fee | 4,200 AED |
| Oqood admin fee | |
| Registration service fee (developer, estimate) | |
| Agency commission + 5% VAT | 21,000 AED |
| Mortgage registration (0.25% + AED 290) | 0 AED |
| Total additional costs | 65,780 AED |
For information only; DLD and partner fees can change. Current amounts are confirmed in writing before any transaction. Default exchange rate as of October 24, 2026; you can change it. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar ($1 = AED 3.6725).
Costs paid on purchase
| Item | Approximate amount | Who pays? |
|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of the price (on Oqood registration for off-plan) | Usually the buyer; can be negotiated |
| Trustee office fee | AED 4,000 + VAT; AED 2,000 + VAT below AED 500k | Buyer |
| DLD admin fees | About AED 580 (title deed, map etc.) | Buyer |
| Off-plan: Oqood admin fee | AED 40 | Buyer |
| Off-plan: registration service fee | Varies by developer (e.g. ~AED 5,000 + VAT) | Buyer; some developers absorb it |
| Agency commission | Usually 2% + 5% VAT | Buyer (resale); usually none when buying from a developer |
| Developer NOC fee | AED 500–5,000 | Usually the seller |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + AED 290 | Buyer (with a mortgage) |
| Bank fees | Valuation and arrangement fees (vary by bank) | Buyer (with a mortgage) |
Example: a ready apartment for AED 1M
- DLD transfer fee (4%): AED 40,000
- Trustee office fee: AED 4,200
- DLD admin fees: AED 580
- Agency commission (2% + VAT): AED 21,000
Total additional costs: AED 65,780 (about 6.6% of the price, ≈ $17,900).
Example: an off-plan apartment for AED 1.5M
- DLD fee / Oqood (4%): AED 60,000
- Oqood admin fee: AED 40
- Registration service fee (estimate): AED 5,250
- Agency commission: usually none
Total additional costs: about AED 65,290 (≈ 4.4% of the price). At times, developers cover all or part of the DLD fee as an incentive.
Annual ownership costs
- Service charges: roughly AED 10–30 per sq ft per year depending on the building. For a 70 m² apartment at AED 14 per sq ft, that is about AED 10,500 a year.
- Electricity and water (DEWA): usually paid by the tenant in let properties.
- Insurance and maintenance: budget for contents insurance and minor repairs.
- Property tax: Dubai has no annual property tax.
Letting and management costs
- Registering the lease with Ejari for long-term lets (a small fee)
- Property management: usually a small percentage of the annual rent
- Short-term lets: operator commission (often 15–25% of revenue), DET permit fees and the tourism dirham
Costs when you sell
Selling involves agency commission, the developer NOC fee and any mortgage redemption costs. The UAE has no capital gains tax for individuals; review your position in Türkiye with your tax adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the DLD fee in Dubai?
In practice the buyer usually pays the 4% DLD fee, although the parties can agree to share it. In off-plan campaigns some developers cover all or part of it.
Is VAT charged on residential purchases?
VAT is generally not charged on the sale price of residential property. Agency commission and some service fees carry 5% VAT. Commercial property sales and leases are subject to 5% VAT.
What percentage of the price are total costs?
For ready property including agency commission, usually 6–8%; for off-plan purchases from developers, often 4–5% because there is no commission. Mortgages add bank fees.
Is there an annual property tax in Dubai?
No. Dubai has no annual property tax. Owners instead pay an annual service charge for the upkeep of common areas, calculated per square foot and varying by building.