1 · Price + list
Set an evidence-based asking price from recent comparable transactions, appoint a RERA-registered broker (ideally on a Form A listing agreement), and market the unit.
Finance guide
The selling process
Selling a Dubai property is a defined sequence — list, agree terms on the MOU, clear the developer NOC, settle any mortgage, and transfer at the trustee office. Here's how each step works, what it costs the seller, and where sales most often slow down.
The sale, step by step
2 · Agree terms — MOU (Form F)
Once a buyer is found, both sides sign the Memorandum of Understanding (the DLD's Form F) and the buyer pays a deposit (typically 10%) held by the broker/trustee. The MOU fixes price, who pays what, and the timeline.
3 · Apply for the developer NOC
You request a No-Objection Certificate confirming service charges are clear and the developer has no objection to the transfer. This is the step that most often introduces delay — settle outstanding fees first.
4 · Settle any mortgage
If you have a mortgage, it must be discharged for title to transfer. The buyer's funds (or a bank-to-bank arrangement) clear your loan; the bank releases the title. A buyer who is also financing adds their lender's timeline.
5 · Transfer at the trustee office
Both parties (or POA holders) attend a registration trustee office. The buyer pays the balance + the 4% DLD fee; a new title deed issues in the buyer's name. The sale is complete.
What it costs the seller
Indicative — the MOU and your bank set the exact figures. The 4% DLD transfer fee is normally the buyer's, not the seller's.
| Item | Typical | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Agency commission | 2% + VAT | Usually the seller pays their broker ~2%; confirm in the listing agreement. |
| Developer NOC fee | AED 500 - 5,000+ | Varies by developer; sometimes shared with the buyer per the MOU. |
| Mortgage discharge | Bank-dependent | Early-settlement / release fees if the property is financed. |
| Outstanding service charges | As owed | Must be cleared for the NOC — pro-rated to the transfer date. |
Four realities to plan around
The NOC is the usual bottleneck
Unpaid service charges or a slow developer can stall the NOC for days or weeks. Clear arrears and request it early to protect the timeline.
A mortgaged sale has two bank clocks
If you have a loan AND the buyer is financing, both banks must align. Build in time — these chains move at the slower lender's pace.
Price on net, not headline
After agency, NOC, and any early-settlement fees, your net proceeds sit below the sale price. Model the net before accepting an offer.
Form F sets the rules
Who pays the NOC, the deposit, and the completion window are all in the MOU. Read it before signing — it governs the whole sale.