How to sell property in Dubai: a step-by-step guide

Before you list, gather the documents a buyer and the DLD will expect. Having these ready avoids delays once an offer arrives and signals to serious buyers that the sale can move quickly. A missing service charge statement or an unresolved mortgage liability can add a week or more to a transfer that would otherwise close smoothly.

Presentation matters in a competitive market. Small repairs, a fresh coat of paint, professional photography and a decluttered home can lift both the achievable price and the speed of sale. In busy communities where several similar units are listed at once, the best-presented apartment often sells first and closest to the asking price.

In Dubai only a broker with a valid RERA licence can market and sell property. Choose an agent with genuine experience in your building or community, as local pricing knowledge directly affects the result. Ask how many units they have sold in your tower over the past year and how they arrived at their suggested price.

You and the broker then sign Form A, the official seller agreement. It records the asking price, the agency commission (commonly around 2% plus 5% VAT) and the terms of the mandate. Once signed, the listing can be published on the official portal and marketed. You can grant an exclusive mandate to one agency or an open listing to several, though an exclusive arrangement often brings more focused marketing effort.

When a buyer makes an acceptable offer, both parties sign Form F, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which sets out the sale price and conditions. The buyer typically pays a deposit of around 10%, usually held by the broker or a trustee rather than passing directly to you.

If the property has a mortgage, this is the stage to settle it. The buyer's funds or bank often clear the seller's outstanding loan so the DLD can release the title free of any charge. If the buyer is themselves using finance, factor in the extra two to three weeks their bank needs for valuation and final loan approval before the transfer can be booked.

You apply to the developer for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which confirms all service charges are cleared and the developer has no objection to the sale. The developer inspects the account and issues the NOC, usually within a few working days for a fee that typically runs from around AED 500 to AED 5,000 depending on the developer.

With the NOC in hand, both parties attend a DLD-approved trustee office. The buyer pays the balance, the DLD transfer fee is settled, and a new title deed is issued in the buyer's name. Ownership passes on the spot and you receive your proceeds by manager's cheque, which you can bank the same day. The whole trustee appointment usually takes under an hour once everyone is present with the right cheques and documents.

Because Dubai levies no capital gains tax on individuals, your net proceeds are simply the sale price less a short list of transaction costs. Knowing these figures before you list lets you set a realistic reserve and avoid surprises on transfer day. The largest cost is usually the agency commission, followed by any early mortgage settlement charge if you are clearing a loan.

It is worth confirming in the MOU who bears each cost, as several are negotiable in practice. The 4% DLD transfer fee is customarily paid by the buyer, but in a slower market a seller may agree to share it to close the deal. Run your net figure on a conservative basis so that even if you concede a little on costs, the sale still meets your target.