Dubai Land Department (DLD) Fees: Complete 2025 Guide

UAE Property Investment Guide · Updated 2025

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) charges a 4% transfer fee on every property transaction, split equally between buyer and seller by convention (though legally the buyer is responsible). This is calculated on the higher of the purchase price or DLD valuation. For a AED 2,000,000 property, this means AED 80,000 in transfer fees alone. Additionally, DLD charges a AED 4,000 registration trustee fee for transactions under AED 500,000, and AED 10,000 + 5% VAT for transactions above AED 500,000 (processed through a DLD trustee office).

Mortgage registration with DLD adds 0.25% of the loan amount plus AED 10 administrative fee. A AED 1,500,000 mortgage (75% of a AED 2M purchase) would incur AED 3,750 in mortgage registration fees. Off-plan project registration (Oqood) fees are 4% of the off-plan sales price, charged at contract signing. Developer NOC fees for resale transactions vary from AED 500 to AED 15,000 depending on developer policy.

Total buying costs for a cash purchase of a completed property in Dubai: 4% DLD transfer + AED 10,000 trustee fee + AED 500–5,000 conveyancer = approximately 4.6–5% of purchase price. For a mortgaged purchase: add 0.25% mortgage registration = approximately 4.85–5.25% total. These costs are non-negotiable and should be factored into all investment return calculations. Some developers offer DLD fee waivers on new launches as an incentive — valid savings worth AED 50,000–200,000+ on larger purchases.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays DLD fees — buyer or seller?

By law the buyer is responsible for the 4% DLD transfer fee. However, by market convention in Dubai, the fee is often split 50/50 between buyer and seller — especially in slower markets. In hot seller's markets, buyers typically bear the full 4% themselves. Always clarify this in the offer letter.

Are there DLD fees on off-plan purchases?

Yes. Off-plan purchases require Oqood registration, which carries a 4% fee based on the sales price, payable at contract signing. This replaces the transfer fee — you will not pay DLD transfer fees again at handover unless you resell before completion.

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