A buyer has agreed a AED 1.5 million price for a ready apartment and wants to know the total cash needed on transfer day, not just the sale price.
The Walkthrough
- Start with the agreed sale price
AED 1.5 million is the baseline — everything else in this walkthrough adds to this figure, not replaces it. - Add the 4% DLD transfer fee
4% of AED 1.5 million is AED 60,000, payable to the Dubai Land Department at transfer — one of the largest additional costs. - Add agency commission
Agency commission is typically a percentage of the sale price, paid separately from the DLD fee — check the agreed rate with your specific agent. - Add trustee office and NOC fees
These smaller but real fees cover the official transfer registration process and the seller's No Objection Certificate — both due around transfer time. - Total everything for the real transfer-day figure
Sale price plus DLD fee plus agency commission plus trustee and NOC fees gives the true cash amount needed, which is meaningfully more than AED 1.5 million alone.
The Takeaway
On a AED 1.5 million apartment, the DLD fee alone adds AED 60,000, and once agency commission, trustee and NOC fees are stacked on top, the real transfer-day cash requirement is significantly higher than the advertised sale price — running the full breakdown before agreeing to a price avoids a last-minute cash shortfall.
Try It With Your Own Numbers
This example used specific figures to make the process concrete, but the same steps apply whatever your actual numbers are. Run the Property Purchase Cost Calculator with your own details — free, in under a minute, no sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 4% DLD fee ever split between buyer and seller?
Payment responsibility can sometimes be negotiated as part of the sale agreement — check what's been agreed in your specific transaction rather than assuming it's always the buyer's sole responsibility.
Does agency commission apply if buying directly from a developer?
Off-plan or developer-direct purchases sometimes have different commission structures — check whether an agency fee applies to your specific purchase type.
What is the NOC fee actually for?
It confirms the seller has no outstanding service charges or dues on the property before transfer can proceed — a standard part of the transfer process.
Are these fees different for off-plan properties?
Off-plan purchases can have different fee structures and payment timing compared to ready properties — check the specific breakdown for off-plan if that's your purchase type.
Can any of these fees be financed as part of the mortgage?
Typically these transaction fees are paid separately in cash rather than financed through the mortgage itself, though it's worth confirming with your specific lender.