Before You Buy in Dubai Hidden Property Costs You Must Know

1. Before You Buy in Dubai: Hidden Property Costs You Must Know DLD Registration Fees One of the biggest upfront costs you’ll face is the Dubai Land Department fee, which is 4% of the property’s value. This is a mandatory charge and is usually paid by the buyer during the ownership transfer. On top of that, there’s an admin fee of around AED 540. Agent Commission When you find property in Dubai through a licensed agent, you’ll usually need to pay a commission of around 2% of the property’s selling price. In some cases, this might be negotiable, but it's standard practice for buyers to cover it. Service & Maintenance Charges Most property owners have to pay service charges for keeping up with communal facilities like home security, cleaning and other amenities. They would most likely be charged per square foot and vary by development. Utility & Internet Setup Setting up DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) requires a refundable deposit of AED 2,000 for apartments and AED 4,000 for villas. Additionally, the internet, TV, and air conditioning systems (like district cooling) also require activation charges and monthly bills. NOC & Admin Charges Before transferring property ownership, developers issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which usually costs between AED 500 to AED 5,000. Additionally, small admin fees may apply during registration and documentation. Tesla Properties Website: www.teslaproperties.ae Email: info@teslaproperties.ae