What are the hidden costs of buying property in Dubai?
The 4% DLD transfer fee is well known — the rest surprises first-time buyers. Typical extras (approximate; confirm the current DLD fee schedule) include: a DLD admin fee and title deed fee, ~2% agent commission + 5% VAT on it, AED 500–5,000 developer NOC fee, AED 4,000 trustee office fee, and AED 4,000–8,000 for a conveyancer if you use one.
With a mortgage add: 0.25% DLD mortgage registration plus a small admin fee, a bank arrangement fee (commonly up to 1% of the loan), AED 2,500–3,500 property valuation, life insurance (typically 0.4–0.6% of loan/year), and property insurance (~AED 1,000/year).
At handover add: chiller/DEWA connection deposits (AED 2,000–4,000), Ejari registration if renting it out (AED 220), and any Owners Association service-charge arrears the seller has left unpaid — always demand a clearance letter from the OA before transfer.
Budget 7–8% of price on a cash deal, 9–10% with a mortgage. Anything below that is under-budgeting.
Last reviewed 2026-10-01 by PropertyConnect Editorial. Sources: Dubai Land Department (DLD); Central Bank of the UAE.
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- Frequently asked questions
- Source: Dubai Land Department (DLD)
- Source: Central Bank of the UAE
