All costs at a glance
| Item | Amount (as of 2026) | Usually paid by | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD registration | 4% of the new purchase price | Buyer | Charged again on a resale |
| DLD admin fees | approx. AED 785 | Buyer | Certificate, card and service fees |
| Trustee office | AED 4,000 + 5% VAT | Buyer | AED 2,000 + VAT below AED 500,000 |
| Broker commission | approx. 2% + 5% VAT | Buyer | Freely negotiable |
| Developer NOC | AED 500–5,250 | Seller | Depends on the developer |
| Transfer fee | 0–5% of the original price | Seller | Set out in the SPA |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan | Buyer | Only with financing |
Worked example: seller
Original price AED 1,200,000, paid AED 480,000 (40%), sold at the original price, NOC AED 1,500, no transfer fee:
- Remaining payments to the developer (taken over by the buyer): AED 720,000
- Buyer’s payment to you: 1,200,000 − 720,000 = AED 480,000
- Less the NOC: AED 478,500 net
A 2% transfer fee would add a further AED 24,000 – which is why it pays to check your SPA.
Worked example: buyer
Same apartment, taken over at a total price of AED 1,200,000:
- To the seller: AED 480,000
- DLD 4%: AED 48,000
- Trustee incl. VAT: AED 4,200
- Broker 2% + VAT: AED 25,200
- DLD admin fees: approx. AED 785
- Entry today: approx. AED 558,185, then AED 720,000 according to the payment plan
Who pays what – negotiation allowed
By law, the DLD fee is split equally between buyer and seller; in practice, the buyer usually pays all of it. In a buyer’s market like 2026, it can make sense for the seller to cover part of it – or to adjust the price accordingly. What matters is that everything is recorded in Form F.
Saving costs
- Sell early rather than under time pressure shortly before handover.
- Have your documents (SPA, SOA, Oqood) complete and ready – this speeds up the NOC and the trustee appointment.
- Calculate prices transparently: buyers decide faster when they can see their entry cost straight away.
Run the numbers for your own situation with the free Exit Calculator.
PLANSWAP is an introduction and information portal and is not itself a real estate broker. Transactions in Dubai are handled exclusively by RERA-licensed partner brokers. All calculations are non-binding estimates without guarantee and do not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. Fees and rules may change and depend on the respective developer.