Costs · Business Bay

DLD Fees & Transaction Costs in Business Bay

Every fee involved in buying a Business Bay property, itemised.

Price per sqft

AED 2,100 per sqft

1-bed rent

AED 95,000/yr

Gross yield

7–8%

Short-let occupancy

78%

The itemised list

4% DLD transfer fee, AED 4,200 trustee office fee (AED 2,100 under AED 500K), 2% agency commission, AED 520 title deed issuance, and 0.25% of the loan plus AED 290 for mortgage registration.

On a Business Bay purchase

For a unit at AED 1,638,000, budget roughly 6–7% of the price in total transaction costs on a cash deal, a little more with finance.

Business Bay at a glance

Business Bay is the canal-side business district minutes from Downtown and DIFC. Buying sits at AED 2,100 per sqft — roughly AED 1,638,000 for a standard one-bedroom — while long-term tenants pay about AED 95,000 a year. Hosted as a licensed holiday home, the same unit averages AED 547 a night at 78% occupancy, around AED 155,731 gross. Owners on our managed programme average AED 214,909 — a 38% uplift.

Frequently asked questions

Can DLD fees be split with the seller?

Sometimes — a 50/50 split is negotiable in a soft market, though the buyer usually pays.

Are there annual property taxes in Dubai?

No annual property tax. Owners pay service charges; tenants pay a 5% housing fee via DEWA.