Selling property in the UAE is straightforward once you know the required clearances and typical costs — but the process and fees differ between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai's process runs through the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and its network of registered Trustee Offices; Abu Dhabi's runs through the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) via its TAMM and DARI platforms. Use the Dubai / Abu Dhabi switch below to see what applies to your sale.
Step-by-Step: What You Need to Know
Showing the process for the emirate selected above.
List and agree a price
Instruct a RERA-registered broker (or sell privately) and agree a price and terms with your buyer via the standard Form F Memorandum of Understanding.
Apply for the developer NOC
You'll need a No Objection Certificate from the developer confirming your service charges are fully paid and there are no disputes on the unit — commonly AED 500–5,000 + VAT and a few working days to process.
Clear any mortgage first
If your property is mortgaged, your bank must issue a liability/clearance letter and the loan must be settled (often from the sale proceeds at the Trustee Office) before ownership can transfer — ask your bank about early-settlement fees.
Transfer at the Trustee Office
You and the buyer complete the transfer together at a DLD Trustee Office. The 4% DLD transfer fee is most often paid by the buyer in practice, but trustee admin fees (roughly AED 2,000–4,000 + VAT) are sometimes shared or negotiated between both parties.
Agency commission
Standard agency commission in Dubai is commonly around 2% of the sale price + 5% VAT, though it can range from about 1–5% depending on the property and agreement — confirm the rate and who pays it before signing your listing agreement.
Keep your paperwork
Retain your original title deed, the signed MOU/SPA, the NOC, and the final transfer certificate — you'll want these for tax residency, future purchases, or Golden Visa applications.
Value and prepare your property
Get a market valuation, address any maintenance issues, and gather your title deed and ID documents before listing.
Apply for the NOC
The developer or community/owners’ association issues an NOC confirming no outstanding service charges or disputes — this typically takes about 3–7 working days.
Clear any mortgage
Existing loans must be settled and a clearance letter obtained from your bank before the title deed can transfer to the buyer.
Book your transfer via TAMM/DARI
Once the Sale and Purchase Agreement is signed, the transfer appointment is booked through the Department of Municipalities and Transport's TAMM platform (or the DARI portal).
Transfer fee & commission
Abu Dhabi's transfer/registration fee (commonly cited around 2–4% of the sale price) and agency commission (commonly around 2%) are split between buyer and seller by negotiation — put the agreed split in writing in your SPA.
Typical timeline
A straightforward cash sale can complete in as little as 1–4 weeks; sales involving mortgage settlement or buyer financing commonly take around 6–8 weeks.