What are the Dubai Land Department (DLD) charges associated with buying or selling real estate in Dubai?

When buying or selling real estate in Dubai, you’ll incur several Dubai Land Department (DLD) fees. Based on current regulations, the main charges include:

• Transfer Registration Fee: 4% of the property’s sale price, paid during transfer registration.
• Title Deed Issuance Fee: AED 580 for issuing a new title deed.
• Mortgage Registration Fee: If using bank financing, 0.25% of the mortgage/loan value is charged by DLD.
• Mortgage Deed / Admin Fee: An additional fixed fee of around AED 250 (title deed associated with mortgage) plus approx AED 290 for mortgage deed / mortgaged-property related admin.
• Service / Application Fees: Additional small fees (knowledge fee, innovation fee, map charges) apply, often AED 10 each for certain drawings/maps.

Practical Implications

For buyers, these DLD charges are non-negotiable and must be included in your total budget. The 4% transfer fee alone is a substantial cost, especially on high-value properties. Mortgage registration fees and admin costs add further expense when financing. Ensuring you account for title deed issuance fee and smaller admin/map/innovation fees prevents surprises during closing.

Expert Insight & Conclusion

DLD fees are a key component of property transaction costs in Dubai. To ensure smooth transactions: request a detailed breakdown from your broker or developer; verify the mortgage registration component if financing; factor in admin fees; and always check the latest DLD schedule (it is subject to updates). In summary, expected DLD charges include ~4% transfer, AED 580 title deed, 0.25% mortgage registration + ~AED 290 admin, plus smaller service fees.