Services · Acquisition Support
The transaction,handled.
From the first offer to the keys in your hand, we run the entire purchase in Dubai on your behalf: negotiation, contracts, DLD registration and handover, coordinated from one point of contact.
4%
DLD transfer fee, handled for you
1
Point of contact, start to finish
Escrow
RERA-protected off-plan payments
End-to-end
From offer to handover
One transaction, one partner
We run the purchase, so you never navigate Dubai alone.
Buying property in Dubai should feel like a decision, not a project.
A purchase at a distance, in a market and legal system you do not use every day, can feel overwhelming: reservation forms, a Form F, the developer’s SPA, an NOC, the trip to the trustee office. We take that entire journey off your hands and keep you informed at every step in plain language.
You get a single point of contact who negotiates on your behalf, checks the contracts, times the payments and the 4% DLD fee correctly and completes the transfer at the Dubai Land Department. Calm, structured and without surprises, whether you are on the ground or handling it all remotely through a power of attorney.
The route depends on what you buy.
The paperwork differs between a completed property and a new project from the developer. We confirm which route applies up front, so you know what you sign and when.
ResaleSecondary market
Completed property, owner to owner
On the secondary market the sale runs through the Form F (MOU), the sale contract mandated by the DLD. After signing and the deposit, the transfer is completed together at a trustee office.
- Form F (MOU): the mandatory, binding sale contract since 2014
- Deposit of typically ~10% on signing; counts towards the price
- Seller obtains an NOC from the developer (no outstanding service charges)
- A new title deed is issued at the trustee office
Off-planOff-plan purchase
New project, bought from the developer
Off-plan, you buy directly from the developer through a Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) with a payment plan. Your instalments move through a protected escrow account.
- SPA with a staged payment plan tied to construction milestones
- Payments go into a RERA-supervised escrow account
- Registered on the DLD Oqood interim register
- Released to the developer only after progress is certified
Every step of the transaction, by one team.
You do not need to coordinate parties or navigate an unfamiliar process alone. This is the work we do on your behalf, from the first offer to the handover of keys.
01Negotiation & offer
We negotiate price, payment terms and conditions on your behalf and put the agreement in writing.
02Reservation & Form F
We prepare the reservation form or the DLD Form F (MOU) and review every clause before you sign.
03SPA review
The developer’s Sale & Purchase Agreement is checked clause by clause against your interests.
04DLD registration
We complete the transfer at a Real Estate Registration Trustee office and arrange the new title deed.
05Payment coordination
Manager’s cheques, escrow instalments and the 4% DLD fee are timed and released at the right moment.
06Handover & snagging
Inspection, snag list and key handover, including chasing the developer to resolve any defects.
From offer to handover in clear steps.
Turnaround depends on the type of purchase and, for resale, on the developer’s NOC. Here is what a transaction typically looks like.
Step 01
Offer & agreement
We negotiate price and terms and record the agreement between buyer and seller in writing.
Step 02
Reservation / Form F
The reservation deposit (often ~10%) is paid and the binding Form F or reservation form is signed.
Step 03
Contract & due diligence
The SPA for off-plan; the NOC and title check for resale. We verify the full set of paperwork.
Step 04
Payment & DLD transfer
We coordinate the funds and complete the transfer at the trustee office (Oqood registration for off-plan).
Step 05
Registration & deed
A new title deed (resale) or the Oqood interim registration (off-plan) is confirmed in your name.
Step 06
Handover & snagging
Inspection, resolution of the snag list, and handover of keys and documents to you.
Costs & protection
The numbers you know before you sign.
The key fees at a glance, and how your money stays protected through the purchase.
4%
DLD transfer fee
The Dubai Land Department transfer fee, 4% of the purchase price, usually paid by the buyer on completion.
AED 4,000
Trustee registration fee
The Registration Trustee fee for property above AED 500,000 (AED 2,000 below), plus 5% VAT. A new title deed is issued for AED 580.
Escrow
Off-plan payments protected
Under Law No. 8 of 2007, off-plan instalments go into a RERA-supervised escrow account and are released only as construction milestones are certified.
Oqood
Interim register for off-plan
Off-plan purchases are recorded on the DLD Oqood interim register. Without registration the sale is not legally enforceable.
~10%
Typical reservation deposit
Secondary-market deals usually reserve with a ~10% deposit on signing Form F; it counts towards the price, it is not an extra cost.
7-10%
Total transaction costs
Budget roughly 7-10% above the price for DLD, trustee, agency and admin fees combined.
Amounts are indicative and are set by the DLD and RERA; fees and rules can change. We confirm the exact costs for your specific transaction before you commit.
Do I need to fly to Dubai to buy?+
No. We can run the entire purchase remotely. With a legalised power of attorney we sign and register on your behalf, so you do not need to attend the transfer. If you would rather be there, we arrange that too.
How are my payments protected?+
For off-plan, your instalments go into a RERA-supervised escrow account under Law No. 8 of 2007 and are released to the developer only as construction is certified. For resale, the deposit is held until the transfer at the trustee office is complete.
What does a purchase actually cost?+
The largest item is the 4% DLD transfer fee. Add the trustee registration (AED 2,000-4,000 + VAT), the new title deed (AED 580) and agency fees. Budget roughly 7-10% above the purchase price in total. We confirm the exact figures for your transaction in advance.
Can you handle everything remotely with power of attorney?+
Yes. A legalised and attested power of attorney lets us negotiate, sign contracts and complete the transfer at the DLD on your behalf. We guide the drafting and legalisation of that power of attorney.
What is the difference between off-plan and resale?+
For resale you buy from an owner via the Form F (MOU) and a developer NOC, with a direct transfer at the trustee office. For off-plan you buy from the developer via an SPA with a payment plan, payments through escrow and registration on the Oqood register.
How long does a purchase take?+
A secondary-market transaction is usually completed within a few weeks of signing Form F, once the NOC is issued. For off-plan you follow the developer’s payment plan to completion; handover depends on construction progress.
Sources & transparency
What this page is based on.
Updated: July 2026The amounts and conditions mentioned are indicative and are set by the Dubai Land Department and RERA; rules can change. This page is informational and does not constitute legal advice. De Dam coordinates every transaction on the ground and with licensed conveyancing partners.
Ready to buy with a partner on the ground?
Tell us about your plans and the property you have in mind. We will outline, with no obligation, how the transaction runs and what we handle for you.