Buying property in Dubai is straightforward when each step happens in the right order. This guide follows the path our advisors take with every buyer, from setting a brief and arranging finance to signing Form F and collecting the title deed. Rules change from time to time, so we confirm the current position before you act.
Start with a clear brief
A good search starts with a short written brief. Set out what the home is for, whether you will live in it or let it, and how long you expect to hold it. Note the areas you would consider, the size and layout you need, and the features that matter most. Foreign nationals can typically buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai, which include many of the city’s established residential communities.
Decide early between ready and off-plan property, because they follow different timelines, payment patterns and rules. A ready home can be occupied or let soon after transfer. An off-plan home is paid for in stages while it is built. Our advisors use your brief to prepare a focused shortlist, so viewings are spent on homes that genuinely fit.
- Purpose: a home, an investment or both
- Areas, size, layout and must-have features
- Ready or off-plan, and your timeline
- Budget, including purchase costs
Arrange your finance first
Settle how you will pay before you make an offer. Cash buyers should have funds ready in a UAE bank account, because the transfer is usually paid by manager’s cheques. Mortgage buyers should obtain a pre-approval, which sets out how much a bank is prepared to lend in principle. Sellers take offers more seriously when finance is already arranged.
UAE Central Bank rules limit how much expatriates can borrow. For a first home, the loan can typically reach up to 80% of the value for property up to AED 5 million, and up to 70% above that. Limits are lower for second homes and off-plan property.
Budget for the full cost
Plan for costs on top of the price. The largest is usually the DLD transfer fee of 4% of the price, which buyers customarily pay. Brokerage commission is commonly 2% plus VAT. The trustee office charges a fee for handling the transfer, and the DLD charges for issuing the title deed. Mortgage buyers also pay registration and bank fees.
For a resale home, the developer usually issues a NOC before transfer, and its fee is normally paid by the seller unless agreed otherwise. Allow for utility connection deposits, moving costs and service charges, which owners pay towards the upkeep of the building and community. We prepare a written cost estimate for your purchase, so the full figure is clear from the start.
- DLD transfer fee: 4% of the price
- Brokerage commission: commonly 2% plus VAT
- DLD trustee office and title deed fees
- Mortgage registration fee: 0.25% of the loan amount
- Bank arrangement and valuation fees, if borrowing
How the market is regulated
Dubai’s property market is overseen by the Dubai Land Department and its regulatory arm, RERA. Brokers must be registered with RERA, and every property advertisement must carry a DLD permit number. Advertisements usually display a QR code as well. Scanning it through the DLD’s Madmoun service lets you check that the listing, the broker and the property have been verified.
Off-plan payments are protected by project escrow accounts. Developers must register projects with the DLD, and buyers’ instalments go into an escrow account linked to that project, released as construction progresses. Ownership is recorded by the DLD, which issues the title deed in the owner’s name. Before you sign anything, we check the seller’s title deed and identity against the official record.
- Check the DLD permit number on every advertisement
- Scan the Madmoun QR code to verify the listing
- Ask to see your broker’s RERA registration
- Pay off-plan instalments only into the project escrow account
Making an offer and signing Form F
When you find the right home, we submit your offer in writing with the price, payment method, proposed timeline and any conditions. Negotiation usually covers more than price. Transfer dates, furniture and the treatment of a sitting tenant can all be agreed. We advise on a realistic opening offer based on recent registered transactions for similar homes nearby.
Once terms are agreed, buyer, seller and brokers sign Form F, the memorandum of understanding used in Dubai resale transactions. It records the price, deposit, transfer date and responsibilities of each party. The buyer usually provides a security deposit cheque, held by the brokerage until transfer. Read Form F carefully, because it sets out what happens if either side withdraws.
Transfer and the title deed
Before transfer, the seller obtains a NOC from the developer confirming that service charges are paid. If the seller has a mortgage, the outstanding balance is usually settled with their bank first. Our team books the appointment at a DLD trustee office and confirms the manager’s cheques needed for the price, the fees and any mortgage settlement.
On the day, buyer and seller, or representatives holding a valid power of attorney, attend the trustee office. Cheques are handed over, the transfer is registered with the DLD and the new title deed is issued in the buyer’s name, usually electronically. Keys, access cards and utility accounts then pass to you, and we stay on hand to settle the details.
Questions
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals can typically buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai, with full ownership registered by the DLD. Some communities have their own rules, and requirements can change, so our advisors confirm the position for each property before you make an offer.
How long does a purchase take?
It depends on the payment method and the paperwork. Cash purchases can move quickly once the developer NOC is issued, while mortgage purchases take longer because of valuation and final bank approval. We set out a realistic timeline when Form F is signed and keep both sides informed until transfer.
Who pays the DLD transfer fee?
The DLD transfer fee is 4% of the price and is customarily paid by the buyer. The parties can agree a different split, which should be written into Form F. We include the fee in your cost estimate so there are no surprises at the trustee office.