The Real Cost of Buying an Off-Plan Property in Dubai

The Real Cost of Buying an Off-Plan Property in Dubai

Last updated: October 2026

When buying an off-plan property in Dubai, the advertised property price is not always the complete amount you need to budget for.

Understanding the additional costs before booking can help you plan your purchase properly.

1. Property Purchase Price

This is the price agreed with the developer.

For example:

Property price: AED 1,000,000

Your payment plan might divide this amount into several instalments during construction and at handover.

2. Dubai Land Department (DLD) Registration Fee — 4%

For a Dubai property sale, the DLD registration fee is 4% of the sale value

For a property priced at:

AED 1,000,000

4% = AED 40,000

So the buyer should understand whether the developer is offering any promotion or arrangement regarding this fee and exactly what amount the buyer is required to pay.

3. Oqood / Initial Registration

For off-plan properties, the sale is registered in the provisional/initial register before the property is transferred to the final real estate register.

The buyer should make sure the developer provides the appropriate registration documentation.

4. Service Charges

After handover, owners in jointly owned properties may have annual service charges.

These contribute to the management and maintenance of common areas and facilities.

Dubai Land Department provides a Service Charge Index that allows approved service charges to be checked for applicable projects

5. Mortgage Costs

If you are financing your purchase, additional costs may include:

• Mortgage registration
• Bank fees
• Property valuation
• Insurance
• Interest/profit costs

DLD lists the mortgage registration fee at 0.25% of the mortgage value

6. Other Costs to Consider

Depending on the property and your purchase structure, you may also need to budget for:

• Registration-related charges
• Trustee/service fees
• Mortgage costs
• Furniture
• Property management
• Utilities
• Maintenance
• Other applicable charges

Before You Book

Ask the developer or agent for a complete breakdown showing:

Property price

DLD registration fee

Oqood/registration charges

Payment plan

Service charges

Other applicable fees

Handover costs

This allows you to understand the real financial commitment before signing.

Final Thoughts

Buying off-plan can provide access to new developments and structured payment plans, but buyers should always look beyond the advertised starting price.

Understanding the 4% DLD registration fee, payment schedule and other applicable costs is an important part of planning your purchase.

Looking for off-plan projects in Dubai or Sharjah? Explore our latest projects or contact us for current prices, availability and payment plans