Buying property in Dubai is more straightforward than most first-timers expect — but the order of steps, and the cash you need at each one, catches people out. Here is the whole process, start to finish.
Step 1 — Set your real budget
Before you view anything, work out two numbers: the maximum you can borrow and the total cash you need. Your borrowing limit is set by the Central Bank rules (the 50% Debt Burden Ratio, the stress test and the Loan-to-Value cap) — our eligibility calculator works it out in seconds. Your cash need is the deposit plus roughly 6–8% in fees — estimate it with the purchase-cost calculator.
Step 2 — Get a mortgage pre-approval
If you are financing, get a pre-approval before you make offers. It confirms exactly what a bank will lend, makes your offer credible, and speeds everything up. A pre-approval is usually valid for 60–90 days.
Step 3 — Find the property and agree terms
View properties (through a RERA-licensed agent for resale homes), and once you find the one, agree the price. You will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), known as Form F, and typically pay a 10% deposit to the seller (held by the agent). This is the point of commitment.
Step 4 — Apply for the No Objection Certificate (NOC)
For a resale, the seller applies to the developer for a No Objection Certificate, confirming all service charges are paid and the developer has no objection to the transfer. This usually takes a few days to two weeks and carries a developer fee.
Step 5 — Finalise the mortgage
Your bank issues the final offer letter and arranges an independent valuation of the specific property (a Central Bank requirement). The valuation protects the bank — and you — from overpaying.
Step 6 — Transfer at the Dubai Land Department
The final step. Buyer, seller (and the bank, if mortgaged) meet at a DLD-approved registration trustee office. You pay the balance and the fees, the title deed is issued in your name, and the keys are handed over. The main costs paid here:
- DLD transfer fee — 4% of the price
- Trustee registration fee — AED 2,100 or 4,200
- Mortgage registration — 0.25% of the loan + AED 290 (if financing)
- Agency commission — 2% + VAT
See the full itemised list in our cost of buying guide.
Start with the numbers
Every confident purchase starts with knowing your limit and your cash. Run your figures through the eligibility calculator and the cost calculator first — then go viewing with a clear, realistic budget.