Selling property in the UAE is straightforward once you know the required clearances and typical costs — but the process and fees differ between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai's process runs through the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and its network of registered Trustee Offices; Abu Dhabi's runs through the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) via its TAMM and DARI platforms. Use the Dubai / Abu Dhabi switch below to see what applies to your sale.
Step-by-Step: What You Need to Know
Showing the process for the emirate selected above.
List and agree a price
Sign a listing agreement with a RERA-registered broker (the standard Form A), or sell privately, and agree the price and terms with your buyer in the standard Form F Memorandum of Understanding. Every advert for your property must carry a valid DLD advertising permit (Trakheesi).
Apply for the developer NOC
You'll need a No Objection Certificate from the developer confirming your service charges are fully paid and there are no disputes on the unit — commonly AED 500–5,000 + VAT and a few working days to process.
Clear any mortgage first
If your property is mortgaged, your bank must issue a liability/clearance letter and the loan must be settled (often from the sale proceeds at the Trustee Office) before ownership can transfer — ask your bank about early-settlement fees.
Transfer at the Trustee Office
You and the buyer complete the transfer together at a DLD Trustee Office. The 4% DLD transfer fee is most often paid by the buyer in practice, but trustee admin fees (roughly AED 2,000–4,000 + VAT) are sometimes shared or negotiated between both parties.
Agency commission
Standard agency commission in Dubai is commonly around 2% of the sale price + 5% VAT, though it can range from about 1–5% depending on the property and agreement — confirm the rate and who pays it before signing your listing agreement.
Keep your paperwork
Retain your original title deed, the signed MOU/SPA, the NOC, and the final transfer certificate — you'll want these for tax residency, future purchases, or Golden Visa applications.
Value and prepare your property
Get a market valuation, address any maintenance issues, and gather your title deed and ID documents before listing.
Apply for the NOC
The developer or community/owners’ association issues an NOC confirming no outstanding service charges or disputes — this typically takes about 3–7 working days.
Clear any mortgage
Existing loans must be settled and a clearance letter obtained from your bank before the title deed can transfer to the buyer.
Book your transfer via TAMM/DARI
Once the Sale and Purchase Agreement is signed, the transfer is booked digitally through DARI or TAMM under the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC). Check that the title details on DARI match your documents before the appointment.
Transfer fee & commission
The registration fee is 2% of the sale value under ADREC's published framework, and agency commission is commonly around 2%. Both are split between buyer and seller by agreement — put the agreed split in writing in your Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Typical timeline
A straightforward cash sale can complete in as little as 1–4 weeks; sales involving mortgage settlement or buyer financing commonly take around 6–8 weeks.
Sources
Checked against these official sources on 30 October 2026.