Buying, renting or financing property in the UAE comes with costs that rarely appear in the headline price — the 4% DLD fee, agency commission, mortgage stress tests, and RERA's rent increase cap all shape the real numbers. This guide walks through the full property decision, from affordability through to purchase cost and ongoing returns, with a dedicated free calculator for each stage.
Every Property & Mortgage Tool in One Place
Below are all 6 property & mortgage tools on the site, each solving one specific part of the bigger decision. Click through to any of them directly, or read on for guidance on which one to start with.
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much will a UAE bank actually lend you? All three Central Bank limits, plus the stress test.
- Property Purchase Cost Calculator — The 4% DLD fee, agency, trustee, NOC and mortgage costs — and the cash you need on transfer day.
- Property ROI Calculator — Rental yield, cash-on-cash return and monthly cashflow — cash or mortgage.
- UAE Mortgage Calculator — Monthly payment plus the true upfront cash — down payment, DLD 4% and all fees.
- Rent vs Buy Calculator — Compare renting against buying in the UAE and see which leaves you better off.
- Dubai Rent Increase Calculator — Can your landlord legally raise the rent? Check the RERA Decree 43 cap in seconds.
How to Use This Guide
If you're just starting out, work through the list roughly top to bottom — each tool builds on the last, from the first big decision down to the specific number you'll need before signing anything. If you already know exactly which question you need answered, jump straight to that calculator; each one takes under a minute and needs no sign-up.
How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Situation
Not everyone needs every tool on this list. If you're early in the process and still weighing broad options, start with whichever tool frames the big decision rather than a specific number — that's usually the first one or two listed above. If you already know your general direction and just need a hard figure to plan around or take into a conversation with an agent, bank or authority, go straight to the calculator that matches that specific cost or eligibility question.
Why These Numbers Are Worth Checking Yourself
Formation agents, brokers and banks all have an interest in the number they quote you, which is exactly why it helps to have your own independent estimate first. None of these tools replace professional advice for anything with legal or financial consequences, but they do mean you walk into that conversation already knowing what a reasonable figure looks like — and able to spot a quote that's out of line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the DLD fees and mortgage caps up to date?
The tool reflects currently published Dubai Land Department fees and UAE Central Bank mortgage regulations, though your bank's final offer may vary based on your individual credit profile.
Can I use this for a property outside Dubai?
The fee structures shown are based on Dubai's DLD framework; other emirates may apply different land department fees, so treat the estimate as a close reference point rather than an exact figure.
Does it account for off-plan versus ready properties?
Where relevant, the tool distinguishes off-plan and ready-property loan-to-value limits, since the UAE Central Bank caps differ between the two.
Will my bank lend exactly what the tool shows?
The figure is a strong estimate based on published caps and stress-test rules; your bank's final offer also depends on your credit history and existing liabilities.
Is there a cost to use this calculator?
No — it's free, with no account required and no limit on repeat use.
A property decision in the UAE touches far more line items than the advertised price suggests. Work through affordability, purchase cost and return calculations in that order, and you'll walk into negotiations — whether buying, selling or renting — with a much clearer picture of your real numbers.