Freehold areas, ready vs off-plan, registration with the Dubai Land Department, and fees.
Foreigners can buy property in Dubai outright (freehold) in designated areas — which include nearly every community popular with investors: Dubai Marina, JLT, JVC, Business Bay, Downtown and more.
Ready or off-plan
- Ready: can be rented out straight away, and you see the building's real condition and rents.
- Off-plan: developer prices and payment plans are more attractive, and payments go by law to the project's escrow account, but income starts only after handover.
How the transaction goes
- A sale agreement between the parties (a standard form on the secondary market).
- On the secondary market, a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer confirming no outstanding dues.
- Transfer registration at the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and a new title deed.
Fees
The main one is the DLD registration fee of 4% of the price, plus administrative fees and any broker commission. A mortgage adds a fee for registering it.
After the purchase
The apartment can be let annually or as a holiday home — the latter needs holiday home registration, which we take care of.
What could your home earn?
Fees from 15%, AED 0 onboarding and no fee in a month with a loss. We will send an income estimate for your building.
Get an income estimateThis guide is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules and fees in Dubai change — check the official sources (Dubai Land Department, Department of Economy and Tourism) or talk to us before any transaction.
