DLD Transfer Fee (Dubai Land Department)
A 4% fee charged by Dubai Land Department on all property transactions, paid at the time of transfer.
What is DLD Transfer Fee (Dubai Land Department)?
The DLD (Dubai Land Department) transfer fee is a government charge of 4% of the property's sale price, payable at the time of ownership transfer. This is one of the largest transaction costs when buying property in Dubai. The fee is typically split 2% buyer and 2% seller, though in practice, the buyer often pays the full 4% depending on the market conditions and negotiation.
DLD Transfer Fee (Dubai Land Department) in the UAE
The 4% DLD fee is specific to Dubai. Abu Dhabi charges 2%, and other emirates have varying rates. For off-plan properties, an Oqood (interim registration) fee of 4% is charged. The DLD also charges additional administrative fees (AED 580 for apartments, AED 430 for land). When refinancing, the mortgage de-registration fee is AED 1,290 and re-registration is 0.25% of the new loan amount.
Who pays the DLD transfer fee?
The convention is 2% each for buyer and seller. However, in practice, the full 4% is often negotiated as part of the deal, with the buyer frequently paying all of it in a buyer's market.
Can the DLD fee be financed?
No. The DLD fee must be paid in cash at the time of transfer. It cannot be included in your mortgage.