Key takeaways
- Price from registered sales of genuinely comparable homes, then test the figure against today’s competition.
- A private appraisal is not a DLD valuation certificate or a bank valuation.
- Mortgaged and tenanted homes can be sold; each adds steps that should be planned before listing.
- By convention the buyer pays the 4% DLD transfer fee; the seller usually pays the NOC fee and clears any arrears and mortgage.
- Verify any broker on DLD’s licensed broker list, and expect a permit number and QR code on every advert.
How should I set the asking price for my Dubai property?
Start from the exact home and what has actually registered. Dubai Land Department (DLD) registered sales show what buyers paid for similar homes over a stated period. Current asking prices show the competition your buyer will weigh you against. The asking price that follows should be a reasoned launch decision, not an area average presented as certainty.
- Compare the same community, enclave and property type, in a similar condition.
- State the period and the number of sales the comparison rests on.
- Adjust for what records cannot see: renovation, outlook, plot usability, alterations and occupancy.
The note on asking price versus sold price explains why the two figures answer different questions.
Is a private appraisal the same as a DLD valuation?
No. A private market appraisal is indicative guidance for planning a sale. A formal valuation for a bank, a court or another official purpose is a separate service, available through DLD’s Property Valuation service or a DLD-approved valuation company.
| Figure | Who produces it | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Private market appraisal | A broker, such as the private home review | Planning a launch price and sale strategy |
| DLD valuation | DLD’s Property Valuation service or an approved valuation company | Official or formal valuation requirements |
| Bank valuation | A valuer appointed by the buyer’s lender | Setting how much the lender will advance |
This website does not generate instant valuations. A home review collects the property details Joshua needs to compare it personally.
Can I sell a mortgaged or tenanted property in Dubai?
Mortgaged: yes. DLD runs a separate registration route for the sale of a mortgaged property. Your bank issues a liability letter with the settlement figure, the debt is cleared at transfer and the mortgage is released as the title passes to the buyer.
Tenanted: yes, and the buyer takes over the existing lease. Share the tenancy contract, Ejari registration, rent, term and any notice already served. Whether and when vacant possession is possible is a legal and practical question for your exact tenancy, so get qualified advice before promising a date.
Do I need a developer NOC to sell?
For most freehold homes, yes. DLD’s property sale registration service lists an electronic no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer for applicable properties. The developer or community manager issues it once service charges and other dues are paid, and sets its own fee and timing.
Arrears or an open dispute will hold the NOC up after a buyer is found, which is why the selling checklist puts the service-charge statement first.
What fees does a seller pay in Dubai?
Who pays each cost is agreed in Form F, the standard resale contract. These are the usual conventions on a ready resale, as described in the secondary-market guide:
| Cost | Usually paid by |
|---|---|
| Developer NOC fee | Seller |
| Service-charge arrears | Seller, before the NOC is issued |
| Mortgage settlement and bank release charges | Seller |
| Agency commission | As agreed in Form A and Form F |
| DLD transfer fee (4% of the price) | Buyer, by convention |
| Registration trustee fee | Buyer, by convention |
Fixed DLD charges are revised from time to time, so ask for a transaction-specific schedule close to transfer.
How do I check a broker and the advertising permit?
- Verify the broker. Search DLD’s Licensed Real Estate Brokers list for the broker and office before you sign anything.
- Sign Form A. This RERA listing agreement sets the asking price, commission, term and whether the mandate is exclusive.
- Check the permit. DLD requires a real estate advertising permit before a specific property is marketed. Madmoun provides the QR code shown on the advert, so buyers can confirm it is authorised.
An advert for your home without your agreement or without a permit is a warning sign worth raising with the broker.
What happens after I request a home review?
Joshua reviews the property details, identifies what is still unknown and follows up privately about the next useful step. Submitting the form does not create a public listing, a valuation certificate or any advertising. The step-by-step selling guide shows what comes after, if you decide to sell.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to sell a property in Dubai?
Marketing time depends on price, condition and demand. Once Form F is signed, the transfer date is driven mainly by the developer NOC and, if there is one, the mortgage settlement.
Do I need to be in Dubai to sell?
No. An attorney can sign and attend the transfer under a power of attorney that meets UAE requirements. Prepare and attest it well before the transfer date.
Can I sell without an agent?
An owner can sell directly, but any brokerage that markets the home must hold a signed Form A and an advertising permit. Most owners use a licensed broker for pricing, marketing, buyer checks and coordinating the NOC and transfer.
Who pays the 4% DLD fee when I sell?
By convention the buyer. It can be negotiated, and Form F records who pays each cost.
What should I prepare before listing?
The title deed, ID copies, a current service-charge statement, any liability letter and tenancy documents. The selling checklist lists the rest.
Sources and limits
General information, not legal advice, a valuation or a transfer instruction. Fees, documents and processes depend on the property and the route, and change from time to time; confirm them for your exact transaction.
- Dubai Land Department — Property Sale Registration
- Dubai Land Department — Registering the Sale of a Mortgaged Property
- Dubai Land Department — Property Valuation
- Dubai Land Department — Approved Valuation Companies
- Dubai Land Department — Licensed Real Estate Brokers
- Dubai Land Department — Real Estate Ad Permit
- Dubai Land Department — Real Estate Data
Sources checked October 3, 2026.