Dubai property FAQ
Short answers to the questions buyers, tenants, sellers and investors ask us most, from buying costs and mortgages to rent renewals, selling rules and the Golden Visa.
Buying property in Dubai
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign buyers can own freehold property in Dubai’s designated freehold areas, and owning a unit with a Dubai Land Department title deed is also what the property-linked residence visas are based on. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents too (see the mortgage questions below).
What costs come on top of the purchase price?
The main ones are the Dubai Land Department transfer fee (4% of the price plus a small admin fee), the trustee office fee (about AED 4,000 plus VAT) and an agency fee (usually 2% plus VAT on resale properties). With a mortgage you also pay a registration fee of 0.25% of the loan plus AED 10, a bank arrangement fee of up to 1% of the loan plus VAT and a valuation fee of roughly AED 2,500 to 3,500. Our mortgage calculator shows an estimate of each.
How do I know if a price is fair?
Compare it with what similar homes actually sold for. Our Dubai property prices by area pages show the median price per sqft from Dubai Land Department recorded sales, with bedroom and building breakdowns, and our Hot Deals page lists apartments priced below the recorded market benchmark.
Is it better to rent or buy in Dubai?
It depends on how long you plan to stay, the price compared with the rent for a similar home, and what you would do with your money otherwise. Our buy vs rent calculator compares the net worth you end up with each way and shows the year buying overtakes renting on your numbers.
How is rental yield calculated?
Gross yield is the annual rent divided by the purchase price. Net yield subtracts vacancy, service charges, maintenance and any management fee, and divides by the total cost of buying. Try it in our rental yield calculator.
What is Oqood?
Oqood is the initial sales registration for an off-plan property. Once it is completed on an eligible property, the buyer can start a Golden Visa application, as long as the paid amount meets the requirement.
Mortgages
How much deposit do I need to buy property in Dubai with a mortgage?
Under UAE Central Bank rules, UAE residents buying a first home worth up to AED 5 million can borrow up to 80% of the value, so the minimum deposit is 20%. Above AED 5 million the limit is 70% (30% deposit). For a second or further property it is generally 65%. Non-residents can usually borrow around 65%, and off-plan purchases are typically limited to about 50%. Each bank applies its own policy, so treat these as a guide.
What is the longest mortgage term in the UAE?
Up to 25 years, but banks also set an age limit. The loan usually has to end by around age 65 for salaried employees and 70 for self-employed applicants, so older applicants get shorter terms.
What is the debt burden ratio?
The Central Bank caps your total monthly debt payments, including the new mortgage, at 50% of your gross monthly income.
Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents, usually at a lower loan-to-value (around 65%) and with more paperwork. Interest rates and fees are often a little higher.
Can I get a mortgage on an off-plan property?
Some banks do, typically at a loan-to-value of around 50% and released in stages as construction progresses. Many buyers use the developer payment plan instead, which needs no bank. See our off-plan projects and their payment plans.
Visas through property
How do I get a Golden Visa through Dubai property?
The 10-year Golden Visa through real estate requires AED 2,000,000 of paid property value. A mortgage is allowed as long as the paid equity reaches AED 2 million, and off-plan counts once the paid amount reaches AED 2 million. Read the full requirements on our Golden Visa page.
Is there a cheaper property visa than the Golden Visa?
Yes. The renewable 2-year investor visa is linked to owning a completed residential unit in Dubai. In 2026 the AED 750,000 minimum was removed for sole owners, and joint owners need a registered share of at least AED 400,000 each.
Renting and tenancy
What is the 90-day rule when renewing a tenancy in Dubai?
Any intention to renew, change terms or not renew must be communicated at least 90 days before the contract expires, whether you are the tenant or the landlord. Missing it can mean renewing on the old terms or losing the chance to negotiate. See our tenancy renewal guide.
How much can a landlord increase the rent?
Increases must follow the RERA rental index formula, based on how your rent compares with the average market rent for similar properties in the same area: no increase if you are 10% or more below market, 5% if 11 to 20% below, 10% if 21 to 30% below, 15% if 31 to 40% below and up to 20% if more than 40% below. Check your unit on the official RERA rent calculator.
Is there a fee to renew a tenancy contract?
There is no government-mandated renewal fee. The tenancy contract has to be re-registered on Ejari for a small fee of around AED 120, and an agent may charge an administrative fee if they handle the renewal, so ask upfront.
When can a landlord refuse to renew?
Only for specific reasons under Law No. 33 of 2008, such as the landlord wanting to sell, the landlord or a first-degree relative moving in, or major demolition or renovation, and with 12 months’ written notice by registered mail or notary public.
Selling your property
What are the rules for selling through a Power of Attorney?
Under the rules introduced in 2025, overseas sellers using a Power of Attorney need a UAE bank account for the transaction, payments must be made to the title deed owner (not the PoA holder), and the PoA is assigned through Dubai Courts with digital verification. These rules apply to secondary-market resales, not off-plan.
How do I find out what my property is worth?
Ask for a free valuation. We compare your property with recorded sales in the same building, not with asking prices. Start on our sell or rent your property page.
About Throne Properties
Is Throne Properties a licensed real estate agency?
Yes. Throne Properties is a licensed Dubai real estate brokerage, licence number 1176837, founded in 1988 by Saad Lodhi.
Where is Throne Properties located and how do I contact you?
Our headquarters is at 208, M2 - 2020 Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz 3, Dubai. Call or WhatsApp +971 58 253 1511 or email offer@throneproperties.ae. More on our contact page.
Which developers do you work with?
We work with Dubai’s major developers, including Emaar, Damac, Nakheel and Aldar, on ready and off-plan property. Browse off-plan projects by developer and community.
Where does your market data come from?
Our price and market-report pages use Dubai Land Department recorded sales, not asking prices, and show the date the data runs to. Our weekly market update credits DXB Interact for its figures.
What free tools do you offer?
A mortgage calculator, a property match quiz, prices by area, quarterly market reports, and rent-vs-buy and rental yield calculators. All of them are on our tools page.
Did not find your answer?
Ask an advisor. We reply on WhatsApp, usually the same day.
General information only, not legal, financial or investment advice. Fees, rules and bank policies change, so confirm current figures before you decide.
