Starting February 1, 2025, the UAE Central Bank instructed banks to stop financing certain property-related costs as part of mortgages. This means buyers must now pay more cash at the outset. The National
Property Buying Costs No Longer Covered by UAE Mortgages
In addition to the down payment, buyers must cover these upfront costs out of pocket:
• 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration fee
• 2% real estate agent commission
• Fixed DLD trustee fee (e.g., AED 4,200)
• 0.25% mortgage registration fee on the loan amount
• Title deed issuance charge (typically AED 500) The National
These combined fees — previously financed by banks — typically add 6–7% of the property value to your immediate cash requirement. The National
What the New Mortgage Rules Mean for Property Buyers in the UAE
Understanding down payment requirements is essential for mortgage planning, budgeting, and eligibility. In the UAE:
• UAE nationals benefit from lower minimums
• Expats should prepare at least 20–30% of the property price
• Non-residents must expect significantly higher down payment percentages
• All buyers now need liquid funds beyond the down payment to cover government and transaction fees upfront