Understanding DLD Fees and Transfer Costs in Dubai
Before you sign, you need to know the full cost of a property purchase in Dubai. Here's the complete breakdown of every fee, tax, and charge you'll encounter.
Dubai Land Department (DLD) Transfer Fee
4% of the property purchase price — paid to the DLD on transfer. Split equally between buyer and seller by convention (2% each), though this is negotiable.
Agency Commission
Typically 2% of the purchase price, paid to the buyer's agent. Some agencies charge a flat fee for sub-AED 1M properties.
Mortgage Registration Fee
0.25% of the loan amount + AED 290, paid to the DLD if you're taking a mortgage.
Trustee Fee
AED 4,000 for properties up to AED 500K; AED 8,000 for properties above. Payable at the transfer appointment at the DLD Trustee Office.
Total Buyer Cost (Example)
For a AED 3M property with a mortgage: DLD fee AED 60,000 + agency AED 60,000 + trustee AED 8,000 + mortgage registration AED 7,790 = AED 135,790 in transaction costs.
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