Dubai Property Transfer Fees:
Complete Breakdown for Sellers

One of the most common questions from international sellers is: what will selling actually cost me? Here is a complete, transparent breakdown of every fee involved in a Dubai property sale.

1. DLD Transfer Fee — 4% of Sale Price

The Dubai Land Department charges a 4% transfer fee on the sale price. This is the largest transaction cost. By convention, this is typically split:

• Buyer pays: 2% of sale price (plus DLD admin fee)
• Seller pays: 2% of sale price

However, the split is negotiable. In a buyer's market, sellers may be asked to cover all 4%. In a seller's market, buyers may agree to cover more. Always confirm the split before signing the MOU.

2. DLD Admin Fee

In addition to the 4% transfer fee, DLD charges an administrative fee:

• Properties up to AED 500,000: AED 2,000
• Properties AED 500,001 – AED 1,000,000: AED 3,000
• Properties above AED 1,000,000: AED 4,000

This is typically paid by the buyer but can be negotiated.

3. Developer NOC Fee

Before the DLD transfer, you must obtain a No Objection Certificate from your property developer. Each developer sets their own fee:

• Most developers: AED 500–2,000
• Premium developers (e.g. Emaar, DAMAC): AED 2,000–5,000
• Some developers charge the buyer; some the seller — verify with your developer

4. Service Charge Clearance

You must provide a clearance letter from the developer confirming all service charges (annual maintenance fees) are paid up to the date of transfer. Any outstanding service charges must be settled before the NOC is issued. Typical cost: zero if current, or the outstanding balance.

5. Mortgage Clearance (if applicable)

If your property has a mortgage, the bank charges a mortgage release fee: typically AED 1,000–1,500 plus a small admin fee. Your agent handles the coordination with the bank.

6. Agent Commission — 2–2.5%

At IA Wealth Real Estate LLC, our commission is 2–2.5% of the final sale price, payable only on successful completion. No upfront fees, no listing charges.

Total Cost of Sale — Example

For a AED 1,500,000 apartment, seller-side costs typically total:

• DLD transfer fee (seller's 2%): AED 30,000
• Developer NOC: AED 1,500
• Service charge clearance: AED 0 (if current)
• Agent commission (2%): AED 30,000
• Total: approximately AED 61,500 (4.1% of sale price)

Net proceeds to seller: AED 1,438,500 before any home country tax obligations.