Dubai Property Buying Costs for Sri Lankan Buyers

DLD registration / transfer

Dubai Land Department's current sale-registration service lists 2% seller, 2% buyer, plus title / map fees and trustee / service-partner fees. This is the DLD service schedule — do not turn it into "the buyer legally pays 4%" because contracts and market practice can allocate costs differently. The Buying Cost Calculator states the assumption being used.

Broker, mortgage and developer / admin

Broker fee depends on the transaction and engagement — an editable, clearly disclosed assumption, not added invisibly. Where financed, budget valuation, bank arrangement / processing, mortgage registration and insurance — and note non-resident finance terms can differ from resident terms, so reverify lender policy. Ready and off-plan transactions can involve developer / admin / NOC charges depending on the transaction; use actual documentation.

Handover, first-year cash and the reserve

Budget for snagging, utilities / deposits, furnishing, minor works / fit-out, the first service-charge period, property management, insurance considerations and a maintenance reserve. A fully furnished rental strategy can require meaningful cash after the purchase closes. Do not deploy every available dirham into acquisition — keep a reserve for vacancy, service charges, maintenance, payment timing and unexpected costs.

FX friction and the prudent-price structure

Separately account for LKR→foreign-currency conversion where lawful, bank spread, transfer / intermediary fees, timing risk if rates move between reservation and payment, and source-of-funds documentary work. Never use a permanent LKR/AED conversion — use a current, dated reference. Then size the property last: starting capital − buying / registration − financing / transaction fees − fit-out / furnishing / handover − reserve = maximum prudent property price — a more useful number than the developer's minimum booking amount. Include the eventual exit costs, because a strong-looking gross yield can produce a weaker total return after buying and selling costs.

Sources & Methodology

• Dubai Land Department — Property Sale Registration (official).
• Relevant developer / trustee / lender fee schedules (transaction-specific).
• CBSL / bank FX quotations for current transfer cost.
• Limitations: fees and third-party costs change; verify current figures before deciding.

Educational information only — general information, not personalised investment, tax or legal advice. Verify current fees, rules and market data with official sources before deciding; figures in the Decision Lab are illustrative planning scenarios, not guarantees.