Finance guide
What a Dubai agent charges, and how to make sure they're a real RERA-registered broker. Here's the standard commission, how to check a BRN and Trakheesi permit, and the red flags that signal a scam.
On a purchase the buyer typically pays the agent ~2% of the price + VAT. On a rental the agent fee is commonly ~5% of the annual rent (or a fixed amount). The fee is negotiable and should be agreed in writing before you transact — it is separate from the DLD transfer fee and other costs.
Real-estate brokers in Dubai must be licensed by RERA and carry a Broker Registration Number (BRN). Each listing should also have a Trakheesi permit number. No BRN / no permit means the person isn't a licensed agent — walk away.
Check the BRN and the agent's brokerage in the Dubai REST app / DLD records, and confirm the listing's Trakheesi permit. A genuine agent will give you their BRN without hesitation. Verifying takes a minute and is the single best protection against fraud.
Commission is normally due on completion (transfer of the title deed), not on signing the MOU. Agree the amount, who pays (buyer/seller/tenant), and the trigger up front so there's no dispute at the finish line.
The ~2% is a norm, not a law. On larger deals there's often room to negotiate — agree it in writing before you commit.
An unlicensed 'agent' is a red flag for fraud. Verify the Broker Registration Number and the listing's Trakheesi permit before paying any deposit.
Your purchase money goes through the DLD trustee / developer escrow — not to an agent's personal account. Pay the agent only their agreed commission, and only on completion.
Duplicate or permit-less listings, pressure to pay fast, or a refusal to meet at a DLD trustee office are warning signs. Slow down and verify.