Selling a Dubai property is straightforward and quick when it is prepared right. This is the step-by-step process for 2026 — from listing at the right price to the DLD transfer and getting paid — including what the seller pays and what to prepare.
The step-by-step process
- Price and prepare the propertyGet a realistic valuation from a RERA agent using recent comparable sales. Clear any service-charge arrears and gather your title deed and ID.
- Appoint an agent and sign Form ASign the RERA listing agreement (Form A) with a registered agent, authorising them to market the property on your behalf.
- Market the property and find a buyerThe agent lists and markets the property; the buyer’s agent signs Form B, and the two sides negotiate the price and terms.
- Sign the MOU (Contract F) and take the depositBoth parties sign the Memorandum of Understanding (Form F) and the buyer pays a 10% deposit, typically held by the agent or a registration trustee.
- Apply for the developer NOCApply to the developer for the No Objection Certificate confirming service charges are clear (AED 500–5,000).
- Settle your mortgage (if any)If you have a mortgage, it must be repaid and released before transfer — often funded by the buyer’s payment at transfer through a bank-to-bank process.
- Transfer at the DLD trustee officeBoth parties attend the trustee office; ownership transfers to the buyer and you receive the manager’s cheque for the sale price. The buyer typically pays the 4% DLD fee.
What selling costs (2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Agency commission | 2% + 5% VAT |
| Developer NOC | AED 500–5,000 + VAT |
| Mortgage discharge (if any) | bank fees apply |
| DLD transfer fee | 4% (usually the buyer) |
| Capital-gains tax | None |
There is no capital-gains tax on selling Dubai residential property. The 4% DLD transfer fee is customarily paid by the buyer, though it can be negotiated. Clearing service-charge arrears and any existing mortgage early speeds the sale. Selling typically takes 4–8 weeks, depending on whether the buyer is cash or mortgaged and whether a seller mortgage must be discharged.
Selling property in Dubai — FAQs
- What does it cost to sell property in Dubai?
- The main seller cost is the agency commission (about 2% + VAT) plus the developer NOC fee. The 4% DLD transfer fee is usually paid by the buyer, and there is no capital-gains tax.
- Do I pay tax when I sell property in Dubai?
- No — Dubai has no capital-gains tax on residential property sales.
- How long does it take to sell?
- Typically 4–8 weeks, depending on whether the buyer pays cash or uses a mortgage and whether an existing seller mortgage must be settled first.
- Can I sell a property that still has a mortgage?
- Yes — the mortgage must be settled and released before or at transfer, commonly funded from the buyer’s payment via a bank-to-bank settlement at the trustee office.
- What documents do I need to sell?
- Your title deed, passport or Emirates ID, a clear service-charge statement, the signed Form A listing agreement, and the developer NOC obtained before transfer.
Thinking of selling?
Cresco prices, markets and closes your sale properly — with the right buyers and a clean DLD transfer. Tell us about your property and we’ll value it.
This guide is general information on Dubai property procedures as of 5 August 2026 and is not legal or financial advice. Rules, fees and figures can change and individual circumstances differ — confirm specifics with the Dubai Land Department, your bank, or a qualified professional before acting.