Dubai · Costs

What fees do I pay on top of the price in Dubai?

On top of the unit price in Dubai you should budget the Dubai Land Department transfer fee (commonly 4% of the contract value), Oqood or sale-registration admin lines, and any trustee fees that apply to your transaction type. Agency fees, if buyer-paid, and later service charges sit outside that statutory stack.

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Statutory transfer fee (the familiar 4%)

Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 sets sale registration at 4% of the contract value. For off-plan initial registration, DLD's Oqood e-service (checked Oct 2026) states 2% seller + 2% buyer, plus small admin fees (AED 10 + AED 10 on that page). Many purchase worksheets still show a single 4% line for the buyer; your SPA should say who actually pays each share.

Ovation's standing practice when budgeting off-plan (Rahul Agiwal, 22 Oct 2026): plan for the 20% down payment plus the 4% DLD fee in your early cash.

Oqood vs ready-sale lines

Trustee AED amounts on the ready-sale DLD page depend on price band (the playbook sources note AED 4,000 + VAT at or above AED 500k, or AED 2,000 + VAT below, plus map/title lines). Re-check dubailand.gov.ae before you pay; do not treat a blog figure as an invoice.

Not in the 4%

• Developer admin or furniture packages (SPA / offer letter).
• Bank arrangement fees if you mortgage.
• Visa application fees if you apply for residency tied to the property (separate DLD/ICP fee lines).
• Annual service charges after handover.

How to budget a live unit

Take the SPA price, add 4% (or the Oqood split your SPA states), add the 20% down-payment plan, then ask us for any developer admin lines on that unit. Examples of live answer pages to pair with a worksheet: Shahrukhz Residences, Muraba Veil, Riverside Views by DAMAC.

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FAQ

What is the DLD 4% fee?

Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 sets sale registration at 4% of the contract value. On off-plan, DLD's Oqood e-service describes the split as 2% seller + 2% buyer (plus small admin fees). In practice many deals present a 4% buyer-side transfer cost; confirm who pays what in your SPA.

When is the 4% due on off-plan?

At Oqood / initial sale registration, per the DLD process for that sale. Budget it with your early payments, not only at handover.

Are there trustee or title fees?

Ready sales use trustee offices with published trustee fees (DLD property sale registration e-service lists trustee amounts that depend on price band). Off-plan Oqood has its own admin lines. Exact AED amounts: confirm on dubailand.gov.ae for your transaction type.

Is agency commission on top?

Buyer-paid agency commission is not a DLD statutory fee. Ovation's fee arrangement is agreed before you reserve; ask us in writing. Developer-paid brokerage, where it applies, is between the broker and the developer.

What about service charges?

Annual building service charges start after handover and are set by the building's management regime. They are not part of the purchase price. Ask for the latest estimate for your unit type; treat it as indicative until the owners association issues the budget.

Where is the full cost stack?

In the free Dubai Investor Playbook costs chapter, then request a callback for a unit-level worksheet.