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The Guides
How to sell your property in Dubai (2026)
Thinking of selling your luxury property in Dubai? Here's our 5-step guide.
Words by Andrew Cleator in The Guides · May 15th, 2017
If you're looking to sell your property in Dubai, look no further than this guide. We cover the things you need to ensure a smooth process.
Selling a property in Dubai has also become increasingly streamlined thanks to digital services introduced by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). Many parts of the process, from accessing property information to tracking applications and completing certain services, can now be managed through the Dubai REST app, making transactions faster and more convenient for sellers.
1. Pick the right agent
In order to sell your property on the secondary market, you will need to enlist an agent. It is better to seek out an expert who has a good understanding of the area where you live. LUXHABITAT's niche lies in high-end properties across prime areas of Dubai, including Al Barari, Arabian Ranches, Downtown Dubai, Emirates Hills, and Palm Jumeirah.
Having an expert in real estate will ensure you can close the best possible sale. You must sign an agreement with your broker to market the property. It is called a Form A. To market your property, you must sign off on Form A. This form also defines the commission paid to the agent to sell your property.
Before advertising your property, your real estate agent will obtain a valid Trakheesi permit issued by the Dubai Land Department. This permit is mandatory for property listings on licensed real estate portals and helps ensure all advertised properties comply with RERA regulations.
2. Make sure you have the necessary documents in place
Gather all the necessary documents related to your property, including title deed (title ownership), completion certificate, floor plans, and any relevant approvals or permits if you've done a renovation.
In order to prepare the Form A, you must provide your broker with copies of:
1) Title deed / Oqood in the case of an off-plan property
2) Passport with UAE Residence visa and Emirates ID (if applicable)
3. Once a buyer is found, the agent prepares the Form F
When a buyer for your property is found and a price is agreed upon, you need to sign a Form F with the buyer. The Form F outlines the details and conditions of the sale between the buyer and seller.
Form F, also known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), sets out the agreed sale price, payment terms and conditions of the transaction. Once signed by both buyer and seller, it becomes the foundation for completing the transfer process.
If the buyer opts to finance the purchase through a bank mortgage, his bank will conduct a professional property valuation by a third party to determine the property's fair current market value.
Your agent will also typically prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help determine an appropriate asking price based on recent sales and current market conditions. In certain cases, such as legal proceedings or mortgage-related transactions, an official Dubai Land Department (Taqeemi) valuation may also be required.
4. Settlement of mortgage payments, if applicable
If your property is mortgaged, you need to request a liability letter (typically valid for 15 days) from your bank. The right agent will guide you accordingly.
Once that is done, you need to get an NOC from the developer. Each developer has a different criteria for an NOC which typically includes advance payments of service charges amongst other expenses. Please provide the documents from the checklist in step 2 while applying. The NOC costs between 500 and 5,000 dirhams and is issued within 24 hours to seven working days. Some developers may charge extra to expedite this procedure.
After the developer issues the NOC, if the seller has finance, you would proceed to a Dubai Land Department's trustee office in order to block the property into the buyer's name. The trustee office will hold the buyer's payments and issue a 'Restrain property certificate.' In the case that the buyer is mortgaging the property, then the buyer's bank will settle the mortgage for the seller. If the buyer is not getting a mortgage, then the seller's mortgage is settled directly.
The mortgage settlement process is coordinated between the seller's bank, the buyer's bank (where applicable), the trustee office and the Dubai Land Department. Once the outstanding finance has been cleared, the sale can proceed to the final transfer of ownership.
5. Transfer ownership at the DLD
You, the seller, the agents involved and the mortgage consultant (if applicable) will then need to go to a Dubai Land Department trustee office to initiate the transfer. Take your original passport with you, along with the original title deed, clearance letter, and Emirates ID in order to have the new title deed issued in the buyer's name. At the point of transfer, you will simultaneously receive the payment. The applicable transfer fees are paid to the Dubai Land Department at this point.
How long does it take to sell a property in Dubai?
Once a buyer has been found, selling a property in Dubai typically takes between four and eight weeks. The exact timeline depends on whether the property has an existing mortgage, how quickly the developer issues the No Objection Certificate (NOC), and whether all required documentation is in place. Cash transactions are often completed more quickly than financed purchases.
Note: This methodology does not apply to properties within Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Last update: July 2026
FAQ
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Yes. Foreign nationals who own property in Dubai's designated freehold areas can sell their property at any time. The sale follows the same process as it does for UAE nationals, including signing the required agreements, obtaining a developer NOC where applicable, and transferring ownership through Dubai Land Department (DLD). If the owner is overseas, the transaction can usually be completed through a legally valid Power of Attorney.
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Yes. Selling a mortgaged property is common in Dubai. Before ownership can be transferred, the outstanding mortgage must be settled, either using the buyer's funds, through bank financing or by the seller clearing the balance. The settlement process is coordinated between the banks, the trustee office and Dubai Land Department to ensure the property is transferred free of any outstanding finance.
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The cost of selling a property in Dubai typically includes the real estate agent's commission, which is usually 2% of the sale price (plus VAT), a developer NOC fee of around AED 500 to AED 5,000, and mortgage release fees if the property is financed. While the Dubai Land Department's 4% transfer fee is generally paid by the buyer, the allocation of this cost can be negotiated between both parties as part of the sale agreement.
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Form F, also known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is the official agreement signed by the buyer and seller once the sale price and terms have been agreed. It outlines the purchase price, payment terms and conditions of the transaction, and serves as the foundation for completing the property transfer through Dubai Land Department.
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To sell a property in Dubai, sellers generally need a valid Emirates ID or passport, the property's title deed, and any mortgage-related documents if the property is financed. Depending on the property and the buyer, additional documentation may be required before the transfer can be completed. An experienced RERA-licensed real estate agent can help ensure all the necessary paperwork is prepared in advance.
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No. You do not need to be physically present in Dubai to sell your property. If you are overseas, you can appoint someone to act on your behalf through a legally valid Power of Attorney (POA), provided it complies with Dubai Land Department requirements.
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Dubai does not charge capital gains tax on residential property sales for individual owners. However, if you are a tax resident of another country, you may still have reporting or tax obligations in your home jurisdiction.
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Yes, many off-plan properties can be sold before handover through an assignment sale, provided the developer's conditions have been met. Requirements vary between developers and may include paying a minimum percentage of the property's purchase price before the sale can proceed.
