The Three Things You Actually Need to Know
This is one of four spoke posts inside our Dubai Land Department complete investor guide.
Three operational topics matter once you have decided to buy: what the DLD will charge, where to track everything digitally, and how long it takes from offer to title deed in hand. This guide covers all three with current 2026 numbers.
DLD Transaction Fees in Full
| Fee | Amount | When paid | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD transfer fee | 4% of purchase price | At transfer | Buyer (often) or 50/50 split |
| DLD admin fee | AED 580 | At transfer | Buyer |
| Trustee Office fee | AED 4,000-4,200 | At transfer | Buyer |
| Title deed issuance | AED 250 | At transfer | Buyer |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of loan + AED 290 | At transfer | Buyer |
| Mortgage release fee | AED 1,500 | At transfer | Seller |
| Trakheesi permit | AED 10 per party | At MOU | Each party |
| NOC fee (developer) | AED 500-5,000 | Pre-transfer | Buyer (typically) |
Total DLD-side cost on a AED 1,000,000 purchase: 4% (40,000) + 580 + 4,200 + 250 = AED 45,030, or approximately 4.5% of price. Add agency commission (2 percent + VAT), conveyancer (optional, AED 6K-10K), mortgage registration if financed, and total acquisition cost runs 6.5 to 8 percent above purchase price.
Use the ROI calculator to model net yield after these costs, or the mortgage calculator for financing scenarios.
Dubai REST: What It Does
Dubai REST (Real Estate Self Transactions) is the official DLD mobile application available on iOS and Android. It surfaces:
- Title deed lookup and digital ownership certificate - RERA broker registration check (input BRN, get full broker record) - Project status verification (RERA registration, escrow, completion %) - Comparable transaction data on any specific building or community - Service charge information for managed communities - Title deed transfer initiation and tracking - Mortgage release and discharge processing - Complaint and dispute lodgment with DLD or RERA - Ejari rental contract registration - Service charge dispute escalation
Authentication uses UAE Pass for residents or Emirates ID. Limited public-access read modes are available without authentication for non-resident researchers.
Dubai REST Walkthrough for Buyers
Pre-purchase: Use Dubai REST to verify the broker's BRN, the project's RERA registration, and the active escrow account before any payment.
At MOU signing: Trakheesi advertising permit verification on Dubai REST confirms the broker is authorised to market the specific property.
Post-transfer: Within 48-72 hours, your title deed appears in 'My Properties' on Dubai REST. Download the digital title deed for record.
Ongoing: Set up Ejari rental contracts, manage service charge payments, and track any disputes via the app.
Title Deed Timeline: Day-by-Day
Resale property purchase, financed:
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Offer accepted; MOU (Form F) signed; 10% deposit paid to broker/conveyancer |
| Day 1-7 | Mortgage pre-approval activated; valuation by bank-approved valuer |
| Day 8-14 | Bank issues final mortgage offer; manager's cheque prepared |
| Day 7-21 | Seller obtains NOC from developer/master community |
| Day 14-28 | Trustee Office appointment booked; pre-transfer compliance checks |
| Transfer Day | Both parties at Trustee Office; DLD fee paid; title deed issues same-day |
| Transfer Day +1-3 | Digital title deed available on Dubai REST |
Total timeline for resale, financed: 3-5 weeks from MOU to title deed in hand.
Resale, cash purchase: 2-3 weeks. Off-plan purchase: 1-2 weeks at SPA stage; title deed issues at project handover (typically 24-48 months later).
Transfer Day Checklist
Bring to the Trustee Office:
- Original passport and Emirates ID (residents) - Manager's cheque for the property purchase balance, made to seller - Manager's cheque for DLD fees (4% + 580 + 4,200 + 250) - Manager's cheque for mortgage registration if financed (0.25% of loan + 290) - Original NOC from developer/master community - Signed Form F (MOU) original - Mortgage offer letter from bank if financed - Power of Attorney if attending on behalf of another party (notarised and attested)
Trustee Office staff verify all documents, process DLD payment, register the new title deed, and discharge any existing mortgage on the property. Title deed issues digitally within 48-72 hours via Dubai REST and physically within 7-14 days if requested.
Off-Plan: Different Timeline
Off-plan purchases compress the initial registration timeline but extend the title deed timeline.
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| SPA signed and deposit paid | Day 0 |
| Oqood registered at DLD | Within 30 days |
| Construction phase | 24-48 months typically |
| Project handover | At construction completion |
| Title deed issued | Within 30 days of handover |
During construction, your formal record is the Oqood. Title deed only issues at handover. See our Oqood guide.
How Oliva Helps
Oliva is a licensed Dubai brokerage (RERA BRN 1573501). We coordinate the full transaction lifecycle from offer to title deed, working with conveyancers, mortgage brokers, and Trustee Offices on your behalf. Independent ranking, no paid placements.
Browse scored projects
or [schedule a transaction call](/en/schedule-call).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DLD transfer fee in 2026?
The DLD transfer fee is 4 percent of the property purchase price. Convention is buyer/seller split or buyer-only by negotiation. On a AED 1M purchase, the DLD transfer fee is AED 40,000.
What is Dubai REST?
Dubai REST (Real Estate Self Transactions) is the official Dubai Land Department mobile app. It surfaces title deed lookup, RERA broker checks, project status verification, comparable transaction data, and service-related digital workflows.
How long does it take to get a title deed in Dubai?
For resale property, the title deed issues on transfer day at the DLD Trustee Office, with digital availability via Dubai REST within 48-72 hours. Physical title deed printing takes 7-14 days if requested. Total resale transaction timeline runs 3-5 weeks from MOU to title deed.
When does an off-plan title deed issue?
Off-plan title deeds issue within 30 days of project handover. During construction, the Oqood serves as your formal DLD-recorded right to the unit. Title deed conversion happens automatically at handover with appropriate DLD inspection.
Can a non-resident use Dubai REST?
Yes, with limitations. Public-access read modes do not require authentication. For full access (your title deed, transaction initiation), authentication via UAE Pass or Emirates ID is required. Non-residents typically use the public mode for research and the conveyancer or broker handles authenticated workflows.
What does the AED 4,200 trustee office fee cover?
The trustee office fee covers physical processing of the transfer at one of Dubai's 12 approved Trustee Offices. This includes document verification, DLD payment processing, title deed issuance, and any mortgage discharge. The fee is fixed regardless of property value (slight tier increase for properties over AED 5M).
Related articles
Dubai Land Department: The Complete 2026 Investor Guide (Dubai Land Department)
DLD Escrow and RERA Trust Accounts: The Off-Plan Protection Framework Explained
How to Verify a Dubai Developer with DLD: A Five-Check Diligence Workflow
Dubai Property for University Fees Planning
Business Bay Schools, Healthcare & Family Infrastructure 2026
