Dubai buyer guide · 2026
Find out the true cost of your purchase.
Before making decisions, it's important you know the true cost of buying your next property. Here's the plain breakdown, line by line.
Cost Calculator
Enter a purchase price and choose cash or mortgage. Tap the question mark next to any fee to see exactly who is paid and what it covers.
Type to edit
AED
Click the box and type any amount — everything below updates instantly.
Down payment
%
orAED
Loan To Value (LTV) thresholds: UAE banks require 20% under AED 5M, 30% at AED 5M and above. Edit either field — they stay linked.
Live Summary
Down payment needed
AED 1,500,000
Total fees
AED 327,070
Amount you'll need on transfer day
AED 1,827,070
Total cost of purchase
AED 5,327,070
DLD Fees
Transfer fee4% of purchase price + AED 580 · Paid to Dubai Land DepartmentAED 200,580
What this covers
This is the Dubai Land Department's (DLD) fee to transfer a property. It is the equivalent of stamp duty in the UK, or government property registration taxes elsewhere in the world.
Transfer admin feeFixed fee · Paid to DLD Trustee OfficeAED 4,200
Professional Fees
Agency commission2% + 5% VAT of purchase price · Paid to Your brokerageAED 105,000
Sales progression feeFixed fee · Paid to Sales progression teamAED 5,250
Borrowing Fees
Bank valuation feeVaries by lender · Paid to Lending bankAED 3,000
Mortgage registration fee0.25% of mortgage amount + AED 290 · Paid to Dubai Land DepartmentAED 9,040
Bank arrangement feesVariable · Paid to Lending bankVariable
Send me these numbers
Get a PDF of this breakdown on WhatsApp
Enter your WhatsApp number (with country code) to get a PDf with these figures summarised. Plus a link back to the calculator to tweak the numbers.
Financing your purchase
Get the right mortgage with Scott McHugh
Mortgage Director, SPF Private Clients
Scott compares UAE lenders, negotiates rate and handles the bank paperwork — so your approval lines up with transfer day. A good broker saves more than they cost, and Scott knows the Dubai market inside out.
WhatsApp ScottCurrent availability
Each listing carries its service charge, size and rent in place — so the net figures are visible before you enquire.
When each cost falls due
Fees are not a single bill at the end. Knowing the sequence keeps your cash flow calm from offer to title deed.
- 01
Offer agreed
We negotiate price and terms, then issue Form F (MOU) and take the deposit — typically 10% held by the trustee office.
- 02
Fees become payable
Agency commission, sales progression and — with a mortgage — valuation and bank charges land in this window.
- 03
NOC & bank sign-off
The developer issues the No Objection Certificate; your lender releases the final offer letter and funds.
- 04
Transfer day
DLD transfer fee, admin fee and mortgage registration are settled at the trustee office. Title deed issued same day.
No obligation, no pressure
Get your numbers verified before you sign Form F
Send me the property and your funding plan. I will return a written cost schedule with the exact fees, timings and who to pay — usually within one working day.