DLD trustee offices and how property fees are built

Most Dubai Land Department (DLD) property transactions are not done at DLD itself but at licensed private offices. Real Estate Registration Trustee offices handle registrations: sale, gift, mortgage, lease to own, usufruct and their releases or amendments. Real Estate Services Trustee centres handle lighter services such as certificates and maps. Ejari is done at typing centres or online. A DLD bill usually has four layers. 1) The DLD fee itself: a percentage (for example 4% of the sale price, 0.25% of a mortgage, 0.125% of a gift valuation) or a fixed amount (for example AED 1,000 to release a mortgage). 2) Output fees: AED 250 for each new title deed and a map fee of AED 100, 225 or 250 depending on the property. 3) Knowledge and innovation fees: AED 10 each per item. 4) The service-partner (trustee) fee plus 5% VAT: for a sale or registration AED 4,000 + VAT when the value is AED 500,000 or more and AED 2,000 + VAT below that; AED 5,000 + VAT for off-plan (Oqood) mortgage work; AED 300 + VAT for most releases. Payment is by e-pay, Dubai Pay, Noqodi or a manager's cheque to DLD, and the documents are emailed. When you compare quotes, ask whether all four layers are included. Our staff give you the full breakdown before you pay.